Apparently working on intuitive eatingĀ is actually paying off!
Last month, one of my goals was to work on listening to my body; including paying attention to hunger cues while also working on deciphering what other things my body actually could be craving (rest, water) that I’m mistaking for hunger.
I’ve been doing really well with this in the sense of not eating just to eat, primarily snacking. I used to have myself on a pretty strict eating schedule that looking pretty much likes this:
- 8:30 a.m. – Breakfast
- 11:00 a.m. – Morning Snack
- Between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m. – Lunch
- Between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m. – Afternoon Snack
- 7:00 p.m. – Dinner
- Between 8:00 and 9:00 – Nighttime Snack
For the most part, I would be “hungry” at these times just because my body was used to being on the schedule.Ā However, recently I have been trying to not follow the “schedule” so closely and only sit down for my meals and snacks when my body is actually asking for them.
I make sure to still have a snack between breakfast and lunch and lunch and dinner but don’t stick to the exact times.Ā If my body is asking for fuel at 10:30 a.m., I move my morning snack up, likewise, if my body isn’t ready for dinner until 7:30 p.m., I move my dinner back.Ā
The next thing I wanted to work on was eating EVERYTHING that was in front of me.Ā When I prepare a meal, I usually try to keep the portions in control for what I know will be filling to me.Ā I don’t want to make them too small or too large.
However, that also puts me into the habit of eating everything on my plate, even if I am starting to get those “hey, I’m full” signals sent to my brain.
Well, I think that my brain and my stomach are finally starting to really be on the same page with one another!
Point in case?
Today’s lunch.
Lunch
For lunch I put together a quick quesadilla that contained:
- deli turkey
- Laughing Cow cheese wedge
- spinach
- onion
- goat cheese
I layered everything on one side of the a flour tortilla before folding over the other side to make a quesadilla.
I cooked both sides until everything was heated through and the tortilla was crispy on the outside.
I sided this with a small handful of pretzel nibs with mustard.
And here is where the intuitive eating comes into play.
After eating 3 slices (3/4) of the quesadilla and the pretzels, I was full.Ā Plain and simple, I didn’t want anymore.
The old Jenny would have just kept eating away thinking, “this is what I made for lunch, I’ll finish it” but not today!
Instead, I wrapped up the last piece and brought it back to work with me. Can we say afternoon snack?
Big steps here people, big steps! š
Oh, but I did manage to wash down the 3/4 of the quesadilla that I did eat with a piece of chocolate.Ā There is always room for that, right?! š
Question:
Are you good with intuitive eating or do you “clean your plate” as well?
Do you have any tips that help you shut off your eating mechanisms when your stomach says it is full?
Love Eat Run 
