What does normal eating mean to you?

Is it clean, organic, no or low carbs, or no sugar? You might be surprised to know that what is considered normal eating is highly subjective depending on many factors that may or may not be within your control. 

I’d like to share my FAVORITE description of what normal eating is. It’s by Ellyn Satter and I love it because it clearly describes eating in a way that reflects how most of us live everyday. It’s simple. It’s non-judgmental. Most of all, it leaves you feeling relieved to know that your eating can change at any time and it’s ok to be ok with it.

So here goes:

Normal eating is going to the table hungry and eating until you are satisfied.
 
It is being able to choose food you like and eat it and truly get enough of it -not just stop eating because you think you should.
 
Normal eating is being able to give some thought to your food selection so you get nutritious food, but not being so wary and restrictive that you miss out on enjoyable food.
 
Normal eating is giving yourself permission to eat sometimes because you are happy, sad or bored, or just because it feels good.
 
Normal eating is mostly three meals a day, or four or five, or it can be choosing to munch along the way.
 
It is leaving some cookies on the plate because you know you can have some again tomorrow, or it is eating more now because they taste so wonderful.
 
Normal eating is overeating at times, feeling stuffed and uncomfortable. And it can be undereating at times and wishing you had more.
 
Normal eating is trusting your body to make up for your mistakes in eating.
 
Normal eating takes up some of your time and attention, but keeps its place as only one important area of your life.
 
In short, normal eating is flexible. It varies in response to your hunger, your schedule, your proximity to food and your feelings.

So, what do you think of that? How different would your relationship with food look like if you followed that definition for normal eating? I’d love to know in the comments. 

REFERENCE: www.EllynSatterInstitute.org

3

You May Also Like

Healthy Living Intuitive Eating

Is Dieting Worth It? My Dieting Experience.

View Post
Healthy Living

Still on the Fence About Exercising? Here are 5 Reasons You Should Think Again…And They Aren’t Weight Loss Related!

View Post
Education Healthy Eating

Think All Sugar Is Bad For You? Here Are 3 Ways You Can Be Smarter About Eating Sugar.

View Post

1 Comment

  1. Pingback: How to Simplify Your Eating: Intro to Intuitive Eating -

Leave A Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *