What we eat and how we feel are very closely related. The way we consume food has deep emotional roots. I came to this realization in my early twenties when I found myself combating anxiety and weight loss. The highs, the lows—my feelings influenced what I ate. No matter my food choices, I was in a continual anxious mental state, not allowing my body to digest and absorb nutrients properly. 

Then, I made a shift. Instead of just eating to eat without much thought of what I was consuming and where it came from, I began to take a conscious intuitive approach with food. “What actually makes me feel good and gives me energy?” Changing what I ate and my thought process, in general, was a huge puzzle piece in healing—and essentially—eliminating my anxiety.
 

With that being said, diets scream “one size fits all” to me. We know that isn't the case. The culture of crash diets and fads are seldom long-lasting. It’s time to stop body shaming and trying to look like someone else. What matters most is eating nourishing foods to feel good and being the best version of ourselves we can be! It’s about how you feel on the inside, how you are sleeping, and the energy you get from your meals.  

I have learned to live by an intuitive eating lifestyle. With a base of healthy foods that I consume throughout the week, I also allow flexibility to support my mind and body in the present moment. It’s all about listening to your body.
 

If I feel like coffee is too much, I want a huge salad for lunch, or that I haven't eaten out in a while and pizza sounds amazing, being conscious and checking in with yourself is the cornerstone to intuitive eating. It’s about being your own friend! Self-awareness is essential when we are emotionally eating—maybe even take a few minutes to stretch, meditate, and revisit your food choices after taking a step away!
 
Some tips I use and that I give to my clients to practice eating intuitively in everyday life is first and foremost, to check in with yourself and how you feel: 

“I feel tired, bloated, anxious, etc.” or “energized, productive, and happy.” 

With these thoughts, create a plan to support you and what you want to eat that day. Intuitive eating in a healthy way means that you eat until you are full! Yeah, you read that right. Full. If you are eating healthy, nourishing whole foods, there is no need to restrict your diet in fear of counting calories. I am a firm believer that you should never stay hungry in hopes to lose weight. The true purpose of food is to feed your body and soul all the good stuff, to feel good–for you.