Health and nutrition are important considerations when it comes to the choices we make with food. But they should not trump the joy and satisfaction that comes from eating food that both nourishes us and is pleasurable to eat. In their book Intuitive Eating Elyse Resch and Evelyn Tribole outline ten principles to support a healthy relationship with food. Principle six is discover the satisfaction factor.
From Evelyn Tribole’s website:
Diet culture diminishes our quality of life in many ways, and decreased satisfaction in eating is one of them. Eating foods you enjoy and that feels good, is a way to connect with your body more deeply. Satisfaction is a pleasure-based principle and the hub of Intuitive Eating.
Aiming for satisfaction helps you find a way of eating that tastes and feels best in your unique body – this is not a one-size-fits-all process, it is a path of self-connection and discovery!
The trap we can fall into when we disregard our needs for pleasure and satisfaction to only eat what we’ve determined is ‘healthy’ based on a strict regime is that we can continue to eat beyond our needs to try and fill the deep need for food satisfaction. An example being eating 10 ‘diet’ cookies instead of one or two regular cookies that would have left us feeling more satisfied.
Finally, pleasure and satisfaction isn’t only about what you eat, but how you eat. Other considerations include if you are able to eat food prepared in a way you like it, in pleasant surroundings and how good you feel about what you are eating.
Reflection Questions
To what degree do you consider pleasure and satisfaction in your food choices?
What fears, if any, do you have about embracing pleasure and satisfaction when you eat?
What is one thing you can do to honour pleasure and satisfaction when you eat?
Thank you for reading!
Sydney
Sydney is a psychotherapist providing online counselling with a focus on healing body shame. Her approach is grounded in Health at Every Size principles, supporting a reclaiming of Body Sovereignty, where we once again experience peace, trust and respect of our body. To learn more about Sydney and her approach or book a free consultation, send an email: sydney@sydneybell.ca