Dieting — it seems to be a plague of modern western civilization. But, let’s face it, obesity is a major problem here in North America. And to combat it, we have put a great deal of effort into finding the right diet path.
There are many types of diet options out there, such as the low-carbohydrate diet, high-protein diet, low-calorie diet, detoxifying diet, blood-type diet, grapefruit diet, weight- loss pills, fat-burning tea. . . the list goes on and on.
However, the key to successful, healthy weight loss might not lie in the newest fad diet. It could be something far more basic. In fact, you could be able to lose weight while still enjoying your favorite foods. Intrigued? Of course you are!
There’s now a more natural way to go about things and it’s called “intuitive eating.” This concept isn’t actually all that new, as it was discussed in a popular book several years ago. However, many of us still need to be introduced — or reintroduced — to this way of shedding unwanted pounds.
What exactly is intuitive eating all about? Well, it doesn’t involve communicating psychically with an apple. It is actually just a way of tuning into your body’s hunger signals — or eating only when your body really needs food and stopping when you’re actually full.
What this involves is learning how to recognize when you are eating for reasons other than hunger. Often, stress, emotional problems, or even boredom are the real reasons behind your excessive snacking.
Ever been on a long train or car ride where you just ate snacks the entire way? Or when you had a really rough day at work and decided to cheer yourself up with a giant ice cream sundae? Well, think about it — you weren’t actually hungry, but were just fulfilling a different kind of need with food.
The same goes for “social eating.” I’m sure there are times when you ate a full dinner, then went to a cocktail party. You weren’t hungry, but you couldn’t let those tantalizing hors d’oeuvres go to waste, could you? Or when you go to the amusement park, you probably feel almost obligated to put away as much junk food as possible.
These are certain expectations we have that are related to different social events — they do not count as filling your body’s need for sustenance.
So, with intuitive eating, you don’t measure out your portions, count calories, or entirely give up certain foods. You simply eat only when you are hungry and then stop when you’re full. However, this doesn’t mean that you can just eat chips and cookies all day.
Your intuition should tell you that your body really does need a lot of the healthy stuff — fruits, veggies, etc., but you can still indulge in a few of your favorite treats now and then. It’s really a common-sense approach to eating, which can lead to a slimmer body.
The benefits of intuitive eating have been backed up by at least one study. In 2005, Steven Hawks, a professor at Brigham Young University, published a study in the American Journal of Health Education. The study, which involved approximately two dozen female university students, proved that intuitive eating could reduce BMI (body mass index) and triglyceride levels, increase HDL levels (good cholesterol), and decrease the risk for cardiovascular disease.
Professor Hawks is an enthusiastic advocate for intuitive eating, claiming to have lost 50 pounds using this method. However, it’s important to note that Hawks used exercise in addition to modifying his eating habits.
It might not be as easy as popping a weight-loss pill, but intuitive eating could be the answer to your diet woes — and it could actually give your overall health a boost. You just have to become more conscious of what your body’s telling you and learn to distinguish between your physical needs and emotional/social needs. As with any diet, you still need to include regular exercise in your regime in order to see lasting results.
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Tags: Cholesterol, exercise
