What is intuitive eating? What is mindful eating? How are they different?

Mindful eating is about being present in the eating experience in a non-judgmental way, whereas intuitive eating is a broader framework that goes outside the eating experience, encouraging people to actively reject external diet messaging and change their relationship with food and their body.  Intuitive Eating is a dynamic mind-body integration of instinct, emotion, and rational thought.  It is a process of honoring your health by paying attention to the messages of your body and meeting your physical and emotional needs. This approach to health and nutrition was developed by 2 Registered Dietitians, Evelyn Tribole, MS, RDN and Elyse Resch, MS, RDN, after so many of their clients were defeated and demoralized by dieting.  Intuitive Eating is based on 10 principles for nourishing a healthy relationship with food.

Mindful eating helps people take a non-judgmental approach to become aware of physical and emotional sensations associated with eating. Mindful eating brings awareness to what your are eating and why. It provides strategies to pay attention to the pleasure of eating and get rid of the guilt. Mindful Eating helps us slow down, notice the five senses involved in eating, and avoid distractions. Being more mindful, in general, can have positive impacts on all aspects of our lives.

Joyful Connection Nutrition & Wellness incorporates concepts from both intuitive and mindful eating to help clients have a better relationship with food and learn a non-diet approach to nourishing their mind. body, and whole selves.