Practicing Intuitive Eating while in College

College life can be hectic, with classes, social activities, and the challenge of living away from home for the first time. Amidst all this, it’s easy fall into patterns of eating that don’t support our physical or psychological needs. But what if I told you there’s a way to reconnect with your body’s needs and make peace with food?

What Is Intuitive Eating?

Intuitive Eating is an evidence-based, dynamic mind-body approach to eating that supports people in attuning to and responding to their physical and psychological needs. There is no “getting it right” or “getting it wrong;” instead, it’s an ongoing, process and practice. It is not a food plan, it is not a diet, and it is weight-neutral and weight-inclusive.

Intuitive Eating as a College Student

Living on a college campus can often make it hard to eat in a way that feels satisfying and supportive. Intense body pressures, unhealthy diet culture messages, and chaotic schedules can make it hard to attune to your needs, and to eat in a way that feels good and is supportive of both your physical and mental health.

Tip #1: Practice Attunement to your Hunger and Fullness Cues

This does not mean only eat when you’re hungry, and then stop when you’re full. In fact, that many HAES® professionals who specialize in disordered eating have a name for this kind of black and white thinking, “the hunger and fullness diet.” The reality is a healthy relationship with food includes times when you will eat when you’re not hungry or past fullness, or sometimes miss a hunger cue and suddenly realize you’re ravenous. That said, an intuitive eater is intentional about practicing the skill of attuning to their hunger and fullness cues, and honoring and respecting them within the framework of a realistic, satisfying life.

Tip #2: Enjoy Your Food Without Guilt

College life is full of social events, and food is often a big part of them! Whether it’s pizza night with friends or grabbing a coffee and pastry between classes, enjoy these moments without guilt. Intuitive eating is about giving yourself permission to enjoy all foods.

Tip #3: Be Kind to Yourself

Learning to eat intuitively is both a process and a practice. There is no “getting it right” or “getting it wrong”. Every eating experience is an opportunity to check in with yourself and your needs, whether they’re physical or emotional. It’s also not about avoiding eating emotionally (in fact…emotional eating is a part of nearly every culture!). Instead, it is about developing a strong and diverse set of skills that will allow you to regulate your emotions in many ways

Finding Support

If you’re struggling with intuitive eating or feel overwhelmed by food choices on campus, consider reaching out for support. Many colleges offer resources like nutrition counseling or support groups where you can talk about your experiences and get guidance. CAPS at University of Arizona, Counseling Services at ASU, and Counseling Services at NAU are all great resources.

Please reach out to schedule a free consultation if you are interested in working together!

Source: https://www.evelyntribole.com/what-is-intuitive-eating/

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