Q.    My mom is into fitness and she says that Intuitive Eating is unhealthy because if you eat whatever you want, you’ll just a lot of junk food, which is not healthy.

A.  Your mom is not alone in her fear—many critics have echoed the same worry.  Fortunately, there are studies that show Intuitive Eaters are actually healthier, both physically and mentally.  Here are two that illustrate that may allay your mom’s fears:

In 2006, Dr. Stephen Hawk, from Brigham Young University evaluated 343 college students and found that Intuitive Eating does not lead to poor nutritional food choices.  To the contrary, he found that Intuitive Eaters consume a greater diversity of foods, take greater pleasure in eating and have healthy body weights.

A larger study on nearly 1300 college women by Tracy Tylka*, from Ohio State University, found that Intuitive Eaters are more optimistic, have better self-esteem, and a lower body mass index (BMI), but without internalizing culture’s unrealistic thin ideal.  (That part is important, because if you desire or value an unrealistically thin body, it increases your risk for eating disorders).

 Keep in mind that eating healthy also means having a healthy relationship with food, mind and body.

*a pdf copy of Tylka's 2006 study

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Copyright ©2008-2010 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