You’ve probably heard the phrase “intuitive eating.” And you can probably intuit what it means: listening to your body about what, when, and how much to eat. You know, like you did when you were a baby. Before you were exposed to diet culture (see: the idea that ‘thinner is better’) and family influence (think: being told to ‘clean your plate‘).
Intuitive eating is intended to be a “a non-diet, self-care approach to nutrition, health, and wellbeing,” registered dietitian Alissa Rumsey told theSkimm for our explainer on fat stigma and diet culture. And having that kind of relationship with food likely means you’ll have to take a close look at external factors (think: diet fads, fat stigma, and filtered instagram selfies) that can interfere with eating for enjoyment, hunger, and energy.
Today, reading your body’s cues likely isn’t as simple as it sounds. And the concept of intuitive eating could take some time to digest. The good news: There are a number of books that could help you understand the practice. Which is meant to “help people get back in their bodies,” as Rumsey put it. And she’s written one of those books.
Rumsey, along with fat-positive registered dietitian nutritionist Kimmie Singh, helped us put together this list of intuitive eating and anti-diet culture reads that could help you on your journey to body awareness and healthful eating.
