For All You Critics of Intuitive Eating with Elyse Resch
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Elyse Resch, MS, RDN, CEDS-S, Fiaedp, FADA, FAND, is a nutrition therapist in private practice in California, with over forty years of experience, specializing in eating disorders, Intuitive Eating, and Health at Every Size. She is the co-author of Intuitive Eating, now in its 4th edition, the Intuitive Eating Workbook, and The Intuitive Eating Card Deck—50 Bite-Sized Ways to Make Peace with Food. Elyse is also the author of The Intuitive Eating Workbook for Teens and The Intuitive Eating Journal—Your Guided Journey for Nourishing a Healthy Relationship with Food and a chapter contributor to The Handbook of Positive Body Image and Embodiment. She has published journal articles, print articles, and blog posts. Elyse does regular speaking engagements, podcasts, and extensive media interviews. Her work has been profiled on NPR, CNN, KABC, NBC, KTTV, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Associate Press, KFI Radio, USA Today, and the Huffington Post, among others. Elyse is nationally known for her work in helping patients break free from diet culture through the Intuitive Eating process. Her philosophy embraces the goal of reconnecting with one’s internal wisdom about eating and developing body liberation, with the belief that all bodies deserve dignity and respect. She is a social justice advocate, a member of the Healer’s Circle of Project Heal—Help to Eat, Accept, and Live, supervises and trains health professionals, is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Supervisor, a Fellow of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals, and a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Intuitive Eating and Criticism
Intuitive eating has been met with criticism from various sources, often challenging its validity and effectiveness. However, it's crucial to remember that no single approach to nutrition and well-being is a one-size-fits-all solution. Embracing intuitive eating requires critical thinking and avoiding the temptation to take things at face value. It's about understanding the principles, adapting them to your unique circumstances, and finding what truly works for you.
Intuitive Eating in Eating Disorder Recovery
Eating disorder recovery is a challenging journey that demands a nuanced approach. Intuitive eating is often misunderstood as a rigid reliance on hunger and fullness cues alone. In reality, it encompasses a broader spectrum, involving psychological and emotional aspects as well. To foster a healthier relationship with food, it's essential to break down the misconception that intuitive eating is solely about physical cues. Instead, we encourage individuals to embrace a more flexible and holistic approach to eating disorder recovery, incorporating their mental and emotional needs.
Meal Plans and Structured Eating
Elyse and I discussed the topic of meal plans and structured eating. Elyse believes that structured meal plans can play a vital role in eating disorder recovery. They offer a visual understanding of nourishing portions and provide a sense of safety during a turbulent time. However, it's essential to strike a balance between structure and flexibility. Overly exacting meal plans can inadvertently perpetuate anxiety and rigidity. Trusting one's instincts and body cues is a pivotal step in transitioning towards intuitive eating. Recognizing genuine hunger signals, distinct from those influenced by the eating disorder, is a gradual process that requires patience and self-compassion.
Food Choices and Ultra-Processed Foods
Our relationship with food choices is often clouded by judgment and labels. Criticizing certain food choices can inadvertently lead to unhealthy eating behaviors (the disordered kind) and guilt. Intuitive eating calls for a non-judgmental approach, focusing on individual needs and preferences. Sharing personal experiences with food choices and highlighting their connection to intuitive eating can help individuals understand the importance of neutralizing judgments about what they consume. It's about finding a balance that aligns with your well-being without rigid rules or restrictions.
Using Wisdom in Food Choices
Balancing mental and physical wisdom when making food choices is essential. While intuitive eating emphasizes autonomy, it doesn't promote absolute freedom or rigid rules. Clients and clinicians alike must recognize the gray areas and nuances in food choices. Validating lived experiences and acknowledging the multifaceted nature of each individual's journey is key to fostering a compassionate approach to intuitive eating.
Eating Beyond Fullness and Cultural Norms
Concerns about eating beyond fullness often stem from societal pressure and biases related to body size and food choices. Intuitive eating encourages challenging these norms and embracing a more holistic view of health. It's essential to consider social determinants of health, including housing, access to food, and mental well-being, as significant contributors to overall well-being.
Impact of Stress on Health
The mind-body connection plays a profound role in health. Stress, often exacerbated by social determinants of health, can have far-reaching consequences on overall well-being. By adopting a holistic approach to health, which considers mental and emotional factors, individuals can gain a more comprehensive understanding of their well-being and how to address stress effectively.
Compassion and Autonomy
Self-compassion and autonomy are cornerstones of intuitive eating. It's crucial for individuals to make decisions that align with their unique circumstances and needs. Trauma and past experiences can shape one's relationship with food, emphasizing the need for a compassionate, individualized approach to understanding and addressing these issues.
Ultimately, intuitive eating is about finding a path that respects your autonomy and nurtures your well-being.
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Tweetable Quotes
“You have to look at what's happening in your life and adjust to that.” - Elyse Resch
“We have to have compassion for everyone and meet them where they are and help them understand the place they're in.” - Elyse Resch
“I move my body because it helps make me strong. I love it when I can pick up a box when I can twist the top off of a bottle that nobody else can. I love being strong.” - Elyse Resch
“They have to do with cortisol, with our stress. If our stress is very high, if we don't know how we're going to pay our rent or get the food to pay to feed the kids or, not be able to go to a doctor because we don't have health care, the stress is so high. That is impacting our health far more than eating a ding dong.” - Elyse Resch
Resources
Connect with Elyse: Instagram or check out her website at www.elyseresch.com/.
Related Episodes
Episode 91. Using Intuitive Eating in Eating Disorder Recovery is a Myth with Hilmar Wagner
Episode 88. Did We Take Intuitive Eating Too Far?
Episode 71. Tapping Into Your Hunger and Fullness
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