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What kids can teach us about intuitive eating
If you’ve ever watched a young kid eat, you’ve probably noticed they:
don’t overthink what is on their plate
eat when they’re hungry, stop when they’re full
are (sometimes very) honest about what they want and don’t want
Long story short - no kid is asking, “Does this fit my macros?” Right?
But adults lose that intuition.
We start eating based on schedules, stress, convenience, budget, or even forget to eat at all.
Adults override those internal signals. Sometimes we eat past fullness, ignore hunger, or push through foods that leave us feeling sluggish, bloated, or unsatisfied.
Or sometimes, for adults, it has already been decades of learned food behavior or other interferences:
Maybe your parents required you to finish your plate at mealtimes, and now you can’t leave a crumb behind.
You have learned adult eating methods on your own, probably with not much guidance / support. They teach us calculus, but nothing we need to know to be real adults, right?!
Some other signals may be interfering: if you have gut complaints/dysbiosis, using GLP-1 medications, have developed insulin sensitivity or are diagnosed with other conditions.
Learning to pause and ask, “How does this food actually make me feel?”, is one of the most powerful shifts you can make.
Kids also separate food from emotion.
There are moments they may throw a carrot in protest, but children don’t consistently use food to cope with stress, boredom, or exhaustion in the same way adults often do.
Emotional and mood-driven eating usually shows up when we are disconnected from our needs. We are tired, sad, overwhelmed, or under-fueled, and food becomes a quick solution.
Little kiddos do not have a perfect system. They literally don’t know how to cook. They’re just AWARE.
That is what most adults are missing. The more you can tune back into your body, the easier nutrition becomes. Rebuilding trust with your body goes a long way. And that is something you can start practicing today.
Tips
Ask:
When was the last time I ate? Has it been minutes or hours?
Am I actually hungry? Or do I just feel like eating? Am I filling a void like boredom or coping with an emotion?
Am I wanting something super specific (“I am craving pizza”), or am I craving sustenance in general? (“I really need something in my stomach”)
Can I eat slowly and mindfully right now, not inhale food and feel rushed? Can I eat this with intention and without grazing?
Will I be able to feel happy and satisfied after eating? Or am I more likely to feel guilty and regretful?
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