Q: Can I always rely on hunger and fullness cues (Intuitive Eating) to deliver the right amount of nutrients and calories for my body?

A: Usually you can rely on your body's satiety cues, but there are some important exceptions, as follows:

•    If you are stressed out you may not experience hunger cues.  Hunger is blunted because your body is preparing to fight or flee the enemy—a primal survival mechanism triggered by a cascade of hormones.  While the modern day threat may be chasing a deadline or preparing for a final exam, (rather than fleeing from a wild tiger), your body does not know the difference, it’s in survival mode.  Consequently, energy is released into the blood, and your blood flow is diverted away from GI system, so that your body has the fuel and resources ready to take action

•    Illness, including eating disorders blunts hunger and fullness cues. When you are sick, you simply cannot rely on hunger and fullness cues, because in essence, those biological cues are not working. In the case of eating disorders, satiety cure are highjacked by the rigid food rules of the eating disorder mind.

•    Malnutrition, which include eating disorders.  Contrary to popular belief, your body does not necessarily crave the nutrient that is deficient in your body.  Surprisingly, the opposite can happen.  For example, if you are zinc deficient, you can experience loss of taste and loss of appetite. In iron deficiency, you might crave ice, which is devoid of this important mineral.

In times of illness or stress, it’s okay to rely on “mechanical eating”, which means feeding your body because it needs the nutrition.  Keep in mind this situation is temporary, and the intention of mechanical eating is for self-care.  In the case of eating disorders, your Intuitive Eating ability can be re-learned, but it will take time and the support of a treatment team (dietitian, therapist and physician—specializing in eating disorders).
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Copyright © 2010 by Evelyn Tribole, MS, RD  Published at http://www.EvelynTribole.com

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DISCLAIMER: The information is intended to inform readers and isnot intended to replace specific advice from a health care professional.Copyright 2010 Evelyn Tribole, MS, RD