IE - the science
 

A well developed article about how IE works. It's not just eat-when-you're-hungry-stop-when-you're-full.
http://experiencelife.com/article/in...r-weight-loss/

I skimmed through the article. To me, however, it IS as simple as eating when hungry and stopping when full, whatever the science behind the whole thing.

The crux of IE though is perfectly described in the article's conclusion:

"Either way, keep in mind that intuitive eating is a package deal — the practices of conscious attention can’t be separated from the “eat what you like” philosophy. You can’t just cave in to cravings without being willing to question them first.

Nor can intuitive eating be practiced effectively in a vacuum devoid of sensible food practices. For example, Haas notes, “Planning ahead with a good menu enables you to have healthy foods available when you need them” — something that may be tough to pull off if you always eat on the spur of the moment."

In other words, we still need rules. For me, the best part of IE (though I cannot claim to practice IE completely as I do not follow mindful eating practices) is that the simple rules have become such a habit that I don't even think about food anymore unless I feel hungry and when hungry, I eat what I crave but do adopt sensible food practices. Usually though, what I crave is quite sensible as far as my eating habits go.

"Either way, keep in mind that intuitive eating is a package deal — the practices of conscious attention can’t be separated from the “eat what you like” philosophy. You can’t just cave in to cravings without being willing to question them first."

Exactly. The misunderstanding with IE is that it's only about food. Cravings are powerful sources of information if we choose to utilize them in such a manner. I'd in craving something that seems nutritionally questionable or unnecessary nutritionally I have to ask myself what this is all about. If I recognize it as a hunger I find myself eating enough to satisfy that hunger. But more often than not I pinpoint an anxiety or restless emotion that can be attended to without eating. Sometimes this is easier said than done but I'm getting good at identifying my real needs - hunger is very easy to deal with after all.

Nutritionally speaking I'm eating well. I had no desire for any starchy food today for example. It has been a. No starch day for no other reason other than that's just not something I felt like eating. I haven't eaten something sweet since last week. I just go with it and if I feel like having a cookie tomorrow then that's not a problem, I've got some of my faves in the cupboard.

IE does NOT mean indulging yourself all the time. It's about listening to your body and identifying its needs. My body's needs are eat, sleep, rest, activity, intimacy, laughter, stress relief, stretching. Only ONE of these needs can be met with food. I used to treat them all with food hehe.