Identifying Hunger versus Food Cravings: A Guide
Intuitive Eating: A New Approach to Healthy Living
Dr. Aileen Alexander, a renowned women's health and weight loss expert, TEDx speaker, and medical doctor, has introduced a 12-week program designed for women interested in her method of intuitive eating. This innovative approach aims to reconnect individuals with hunger and satiety signals, helping them to develop a healthier relationship with food.
Intuitive eating is a concept that encourages individuals to tune into their body's natural hunger cues. By learning to tell when they are truly hungry and knowing when to stop, rather than relying on portion sizes, individuals can make more informed food choices. Dr. Alexander's program offers a comprehensive guide to this method, starting with a complimentary consultation.
One key aspect of intuitive eating is differentiating real hunger from food cravings. Real hunger develops gradually and is a physical need for fuel, often accompanied by general sensations like stomach emptiness or low energy. On the other hand, food cravings tend to be sudden, intense, and often emotional or situational, focused on a specific food or flavor and less about genuine nourishment.
To identify real hunger, Dr. Alexander suggests asking oneself if they could eat an apple. If the answer is yes, eating an apple could be a way to satisfy hunger. However, if the answer is no, it's a craving, not hunger. Other physical sensations, such as thirst and caffeine-induced feelings, can also be confused for hunger.
Intuitive eating is not always a straightforward process and will involve trial and error. Learning to eat intuitively requires individuals to be curious about the food their body is calling for. Dr. Alexander encourages pausing and asking oneself if they are experiencing physical signs of hunger (e.g., gradual stomach emptiness, fatigue) or a desire for a particular food linked to emotional or external triggers.
Common check-in questions include how hungry one feels on a scale from 1 to 10, whether they are open to eating a variety of foods, or if an emotion or situation might be influencing the urge to eat. By learning to trust and honor their hunger and fullness signals, individuals can distinguish between nourishing needs and cravings, supporting a healthier relationship with food without guilt or restriction.
Dr. Alexander finds that intuitive eating can be a challenging concept for some, likening it to trusting a cheating boyfriend. However, she is an advocate of this method and encourages those interested to consider her 12-week program. For more information about intuitive eating, the book "Intuitive Eating" by two dietitians who coined the term can provide valuable insights.
Caffeine can cause a jittery feeling that can make one feel like their blood sugar level is low and they need to eat. However, this is often a misinterpretation of the body's signals. Thirst is another physical sensation that can be mistaken for hunger. By learning to differentiate these signals, individuals can make healthier choices and develop a more positive relationship with food.
In conclusion, Dr. Aileen Alexander's intuitive eating program offers a unique approach to weight loss and healthier living. By learning to trust and honor their body's hunger and fullness signals, individuals can develop a healthier relationship with food without guilt or restriction. For more information about the program, visit Dr. Alexander's website or contact her for a complimentary consultation.
- Dr. Aileen Alexander's innovative 12-week program on intuitive eating is designed for women seeking a new approach to healthy living.
- The program, introduced by a women's health and weight loss expert, aims to help individuals reconnect with their hunger and satiety signals.
- Intuitive eating encourages individuals to listen to their bodies' natural hunger cues, making informed food choices, and developing a healthier relationship with food.
- Real hunger develops gradually and is a physical need for fuel, often accompanied by general sensations like stomach emptiness or low energy.
- Food cravings tend to be sudden, intense, and often emotional or situational, focused on a specific food or flavor and less about genuine nourishment.
- Learning to eat intuitively requires individuals to be curious about the food their body is calling for and to be aware of the difference between hunger and cravings.
- Caffeine and thirst can be confused for hunger, but differentiating these signals can lead to healthier choices and a more positive relationship with food.
- The program offers a comprehensive guide to the intuitive eating method, including a complimentary consultation, and Dr. Alexander encourages those interested to consider her 12-week program.
- In addition to the program, valuable insights about intuitive eating can be found in the book "Intuitive Eating" by two dietitians who coined the term. The book further explores this concept in the context of health, mental health, and lifestyle.
