Comments on: What is Normal Eating?

By: The “Comps 10″ Challenge | Feed Me I'm Cranky

The “Comps 10″ Challenge | Feed Me I'm Cranky — Mon, 23 May 2011 01:19:19 +0000

[...] with IE. If you’re curious as to what that means, and my opinions on the matter, read here and here. However, while I have my doubts about IE as a theoretical approach, I do like some of its [...]

By: What’s All this “Intuitive Eating” Stuff? | Feed Me I'm Cranky

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 19:21:03 +0000

[...] NY Times about “normal eating” (same as “intuitive eating”) [see my rant here]. My main concern was that “intuitive eating” did not truly account for those with food [...]

By: Unbearable Lightness | Feed Me I'm Cranky

Unbearable Lightness | Feed Me I'm Cranky — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 17:09:10 +0000

[...] eating” ever since it became a buzzword, and I’ve gotten some flack for that (see here, for example). Secondly, I was annoyed like I was at the ending of the movie Brokedown Palace which [...]

By: Nina

Nina — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 17:19:46 +0000

As someone who has been recovered from eating disorders for several years I strongly disagree with your comments. I believe that the foundation of my recovery has been learning to be a normal eater – to eat what I want, to recognize true hunger, to stop when I am full and to eat food that I actually like. The result is that today I do ONLY think about food when I am hungry, I only eat things that I like and I never overeat. I want others to know that it is possible to recover from eating disorders and be a “normal” eater.

By: Elina

Elina — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 03:58:33 +0000

I think I would have commented on those statements the same way as you did a few months ago, but after stopping counting calories and eating a little more intuitively, I am truly starting to “trust my body” and because I truly love healthy food, that’s what I chose most of the time. On that note, I have also been indulging in more sweets than I normally would have allowed myself in the past, and have been maintaining a higher weight but somehow I’m happier. This is quite strange to me (I still can’t believe it’s happening!) but I think it’s about establishing “some rules” but otherwise give yourself more slack and just live. I think “normal eating” is still a weird term though.

By: Tamara

Tamara — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 23:00:30 +0000

I really enjoyed reading this. I’m still trying to figure out what normal eating is… It definitely varies from person to person, so that makes it harder to figure out!

By: Special K

Special K — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:33:10 +0000

Goodness! I think we need to have another post about this just to talk about one point of normal eating at a time…here is the thing that really gets to me, though
“Either way, I really can’t trust my “body” – whoever and whatever that is – to make up for my “mistakes.”

I think you have to LEARN how to trust yourself…and it is a deficit of trust that you can’t stop when satiated or can’t eat when starving….and relying on external “shoulds” without pausing and not being afraid of HUNGER….

GREAT POST! Want to do a answer and question on my website?

Also, thanks for following my Share Yourself Giveaway!

By: janetha

janetha — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:00:09 +0000

after reading so many food blogs and books and hearing different opinions, i have decided there is no such thing as normal. just what is normal to ME! and to you, and him, and her.. all different.

By: Adria

Adria — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:18:47 +0000

I (a lurker!) understood her description, because that is how I eat. But I don’t think “normal eating” is a good descriptor. What she describes is intuitive eating, which for the majority of adults isn’t the norm.

It’s interesting to read your comments. I can offer some insight into what she means by her definitions, though I don’t really think that the guidelines are necessarily right or helpful for everyone.

1. I eat when I am hungry. Not because I am bored, or because food is there and it is yummy. I can wait to satisfy my cravings when the hunger hits. I stop when I am satisfied, not full or stuffed. Just when I feel comfortable and not hungry anymore. To lose weight I would have to allow myself to be uncomfortably hungry, and to gain weight I would have to allow myself to be uncomfortably full. I don’t like those feelings, so I maintain weight.

2. About giving thought to food: I might ultimately want eat half a pepperoni pizza, but I might opt for two slices and a salad. Or half a veggie pizza. Or I might just eat half the pepperoni pizza for lunch and a big salad for dinner. It doesn’t take a lot of thought, just a basic attempt at balance.

3. Cookies on the plate: If I am full and someone offers cookies, I’ll pass. If I still crave something sweet by time I’m hungry again, I’ll eat it. At the same time, if someone brings cookies and they look good, I won’t feel bad about eating one…or 5. I’ll just balance it out by not having dessert after dinner. I don’t stress about foods I can or can’t have, and I neither always indulge or always refrain.

4. To make it really simplistic, I know that if I never stuff myself and never go hungry, I will stay the same weight. My body will make up for it’s “mistakes.” Some days I don’t eat everything on my plate, and some days I get seconds.

5. I don’t really agree with the last one. Either you naturally eat this way or you don’t. If it comes naturally, you don’t think much about it, and if it doesn’t, you obviously do. I mean I did pay attention in health class, and I know that olive oil is better for you than butter, and baking is better than frying. But they aren’t conscious, ongoing food decisions.

I can’t help but think that this way of eating is born into all of us, but lost by many people as their lifestyle, environment, and culture change what is intuitive, practical, or desirable in terms of eating. Whatever way you eat for a significant period of time is what becomes intuitive to you I guess.

By: Donna D

Donna D — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:00:46 +0000

“Normal” eating is “eating until you’re satisfied”?

I despair. I cannot even begin to express my exasperation with the NYT.

The place I ate the healthiest was when I lived in Japan. I cooked for myself, and when I went out I ate like my Japanese friends. Meaning, I ate until I was at 80%. They said it takes time for your brain to realise your body is actually satisfied. So if you ate to 100% you overate. You know what? It always worked.

Brain and body do not always equal / work together / there is a time delay. (sigh)

Food and consumption is highly personal, I need to get off my soapbox now before I overly rant and preach. Thanks for posting this thought provoking blog.