Explainer | What is intuitive eating? TikTok trend’s health benefits, including better digestion, more positive body image, and increased satiety with less food

Swathi Nair, a teacher residing in Munnar, India, was captivated by the Kardashian sisters' well-known fit bodies. She embarked on a restricted calorie diet to attain a similar slender figure. Over a span of three years, she managed to shed 7kg (15lb). However, this achievement was not without its drawbacks. Nair became irritable, her blood pressure drastically dropped, and she experienced guilt every time she indulged in a slice of pizza, her favourite food. Her professional and personal relationships deteriorated due to her altered eating habits. She isolated herself from social gatherings for fear of overeating and her husband was upset that she consistently refused to dine out. Physically, she felt malnourished.

A nutritionist advised Nair to adopt intuitive eating (IE), a method that encourages individuals to rely on their internal cues of hunger and satiety to guide their eating habits, rather than obsessing over consuming less. After a month of adhering to this new routine, Nair noticed a significant improvement in her body image and overall quality of life. She regained control over her eating habits. Nair explains that IE does not enforce guidelines, but rather, it aims to organically enhance an individual's connection with their bodies through food.

Intuitive eating aids in breaking away from reactive or emotional eating patterns, according to naturopathic doctor Rashmi Gupta of Vedic Sutra, an Ayurvedic wellness centre located in Noida, India. She explains that the philosophy of intuitive eating assists individuals in assessing their own eating behaviours and attitudes, enabling them to adjust their meal times and food quantities accordingly. When you eat, you begin to question whether you're experiencing physical hunger or emotional hunger. This self-inquiry naturally fosters a healthier relationship with food. The benefits of adopting this approach to eating include improved digestion and increased satiety with less food consumption.