Intuitive eating centers around you knowing that you have unconditional permission to eat. It can be hard to give ourselves the freedom to determine what would satisfy us if we don’t have many options! Having a variety of foods at home to pick from can help reduce stress. This allows you to feel comfortable that you will have options to fulfill your hunger. After rejecting the diet mentality and rediscovering foods you actually like, you’ll find you need to build up a new repertoire of the grocery staples you genuinely enjoy.
Now, this is easier said than done and may be overwhelming at first. Here are a few tips to help you start:
- Plan ahead- Loosely!
The difference between diet-culture meal planning and Intuitive Eating meal planning is the intention behind it.
You can still plan meals ahead of time and practice intuitive eating. This can look like ALL foods being considered in your meals and snacks for the week.
If you end up not wanting your planned meal when that day comes, then you don’t have to! You can have a plan and not follow it. It’s only a PLAN. If you tune into our bodies and want something else, honor your hunger and craving with that food. If you prepare a meal and don’t want it later, freeze it! You may want it another day and won’t have to worry about it going bad.
- Look for fun new recipes to make
If you enjoy cooking, this can be a really special way to enjoy your food again!
Explore recipes online, from cook books, or on social media and save recipes that catch your eye! add those ingredients to your weekly shopping list.
- Keep the intuitive eating principles in mind when making your list
Challenge The Food Police
There are no “good” or “bad” foods- so ALL foods can end up on that grocery list! We don’t need a special occasion to buy a treat. Chocolate chip cookies can be on our list each week right under our vegetables. No food on our list is better than the other.
Satisfaction factor
Consider foods that will satisfy you physically mentally and emotionally – those are the foods to stock your kitchen with.
Ask yourself the following questions when planning your list:
- What sounds good to me this week?
- Have I been craving anything specific lately?
- Is there something I haven’t had in a while that I miss?
- What foods are in season and would be extra-tasty right now?
- What kind of cuisine do I want this week?
- Do I want a warm, comforting meal or a cool, refreshing meal?
Your answer to these questions may change throughout the week. Once again, this is just a place to start! It is not rigid!
Gentle Nutrition
Stock your fridge, freezer, and pantry with foods that will make you feel good! Having a variety of sources of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins can allow you to make a variety of balanced meals to adequately fuel your body.
Click here for a reminder on the rest of the 10 principles of intuitive eating!
- Grocery shop on a fed stomach
While you are unconditionally allowed to honor your cravings and put in your cart whatever foods you like, if you go into a grocery store with true biological hunger, you may walk out of there with more than you intended to buy in the first place.
Walking in with a leveled blood sugar can help you level your head and keep you sticking closer to your list. Your wallet will thank you later!
- Don’t be afraid to shop the middle of store!
Diet culture has told us to “only shop the parameter”.
We are here to tell you the middle of the store needs some love- there are plenty of valuable pantry staples here and fun foods that should be explored!
- Try new things!
Variety is the spice of life! Grocery shopping can be a fun way to explore new foods and discover new flavors.
Remember, If something strikes your eye in the store You are allowed to get it. The list is just guidance!
If you enjoyed this post then we think you’d also enjoy our post Disovering The Satisfaction Factor
Want to learn more about intuitive eating?
Click here to check out all the current Find Food Freedom happenings!
Click here to join our monthly Find Food Freedom membership program!
