Frequently Asked Questions

What is Intuitive Eating?

Intuitive eating (IE) is a well-defined, evidenced-based self-care framework that involves 10 principles. The concept was developed by two Registered Dietitians - Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resche. There are over 200 published studies supporting IE as well as a validated assessment scale. IE is weight-inclusive and aligned with Health At Every Size (HAES).

The goal of intuitive eating is to establish a healthy relationship with food and body. IE relies on hunger and satiety cues and allows you to have unconditional permission to eat whatever foods you desire, whenever you want. IE is influenced by instinct, thought and emotion – we were born intuitive eaters!

The principles of IE work by either promoting or removing obstacles to body awareness. This process is called interoceptive awareness. IE is unique to everyone as it sources information from the body and mind.

IE has been shown to enhance overall health and well-being. Some of the evidenced-based benefits of IE include:

Increased: psychological health, body appreciation, body trust, self-esteem, well-being, body cue awareness, food variety, proactive coping, glycemic control and life satisfaction

Decreased: disordered eating, body shame, thin idealization, triglycerides, binge eating and the development of eating disorders

What About My Weight?

It is understandable if you desire weight loss. We live in a world where pressure to change the way we look comes at us from all angles, including diet culture and health care. We were born into a culture that believes smaller bodies are better and we are sent constant messaging that equates thinness to health. This messaging is false.

The concept of “health” has become skewed to be focused on weight. We have lost sight of other factors that influence health and now, more than ever, so many people are at war with their bodies. The truth is authentic health looks different for everyone. Health can come in a range of body sizes. All bodies deserve respect and dignity, no matter of size or shape.

Dieting for the purpose of intentional weight loss is problematic and harmful. There is a strong body of research that indicates dieting increases risk of disordered eating, the development of eating disorders, weight stigma and “all or nothing” thinking about food. Research also shows that dieting worsens health and metabolism, predicts weight cycling and does not result in lasting weight loss.

It is difficult to predict if/how your body will change while moving through the intuitive eating process. My focus is weight-inclusive and my goal is to help you feel physically, mentally and emotionally well in your natural body.

What is Diet Culture?

The best definition of diet culture is by Christy Harrison (journalist, anti-diet Registered Dietitian, Intuitive Eating Counsellor):

“Diet culture is a system of beliefs that:

Worships thinness and equates it to health and moral virtue, which means you can spend your whole life thinking you’re irreparably broken just because you don’t look like the impossibly thin 'ideal'.
Promotes weight loss as a means of attaining higher status, which means you feel compelled to spend a massive amount of time, energy, and money trying to shrink your body, even though the research is very clear that almost no one can sustain intentional weight loss for more than a few years.
Demonizes certain ways of eating while elevating others, which means you’re forced to be hyper-vigilant about your eating, ashamed of making certain food choices, and distracted from your pleasure, your purpose, and your power.
Oppresses people who don't match up with its supposed picture of 'health', which disproportionately harms women, femmes, trans folks, people in larger bodies, people of color, and people with disabilities, damaging both their mental and physical health."

What is a Registered Dietitian?

The College of Dietitians of Ontario (CDO) states that Registered Dietitians (RDs) are trained food and nutrition experts who translate scientific, medical and nutrition evidence into practical information. RDs help individuals, families and communities access nutrition for health. RDs are licensed by a governing body and held to high standards.

Standards to become an RD include an accredited 4 year degree in science and human nutrition, an accredited dietetic internship or supervised practical training and successful completion of the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination.

Be cautious of “health influencers” on social media as their nutrition advice may not be supported by evidence or experience. Beware of recommendations based on a single study or promising a "quick fix". Registered Dietitians reflect on science and the experiences of clients when helping them reach their nutrition and health goals.

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