REVIEW: Have some cake and eat it to
I owe my ability to sit at a table full of food without over-indulging to the two brilliant women who wrote “Intuitive Eating.” If I am mindful enough, my body will let me know exactly what it needs.
The truth is, most people do not need as much food as they think to satisfy themselves. Because so many people do not obey their cravings, they pay the consequences by eating mindlessly later.
This past Sunday I went to my great-aunt Linda’s house where she had prepared a meal of asparagus, corn, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy and turkey. I tasted some of each food and realized the only three things I liked were the asparagus, corn and stuffing. It was wonderful that I didn’t have to be miserable after the meal with a mountainous belly.
I realized that on those weird days that my mouth waters for a tangy, ripe orange, my body is probably lacking Vitamin C.
When I eat a piece of pie I usually stop before I’m through because I only need a few bites to neutralize the craving.
Of course, listening to the body does take practice, especially in our maniacal society filled with dieters, over-eaters and exercise junkies.
In today’s world, the attitude is the thinner the better. After reading this book I have been empowered to think the healthier the better and to be an advocate for this notion to anyone and everyone I come across.
“Intuitive Eating” says that I should treat my body with kindness and respect. I should understand that it is healthy to have some weight fluctuation. This way of eating is innate.
This book is reteaching adults how to eat, as if they were toddlers. Younger children do not restrict themselves from certain foods or quantity. Studies from the book show when a person allows themselves to have whatever they please, they end up being more mindful about what they actually want.
It is important to be creative with food, whether that means inventing a new recipe or preparing food in an aesthetically pleasing way. The intuitive eating method says to broaden your food horizons.
It seems so obvious – simply eating what a human is intended to eat is the key to weight maintenance.
The only issue is, many cannot accept the healthy place that their body is most comfortable being. Once a person can surrender to the unrealistic ideals that are seen in our media, they will be happier and healthier than they have ever been by listening to their body’s signals.
The idea of intuitive eating even suggests that sometimes overeating is completely normal, especially when the food is worth savoring.
So now, as I leave you with these thoughts I would like you to raise your right hand and say, “I will not fear the ice cream aisle and I will honor my body by putting my fork down when I am no longer hungry.”
–catherine.meidell@aggiemail.usu.edu