We talk food freedom and intuitive eating principles with Intuitive Eating Registered Dietician, Lauren Cadillac 

What does finding food freedom look like?

You don’t have to struggle with food forever! Intuitive Eating Registered Dietician, Lauren Cadillac, shares a path to health without obsession. Known as the Feel Good Dietician, Lauren is helping people find balance and heal their relationship with ALL foods. We’re talking about what this path looks like, how  intuitive eating principles fit in AND her very interesting journey from bikini competitor to intuitive eating dietician.

In this non-diet nutrition episode:

• How to reconnect to your body cues
• Where to start to rebuild body trust
• Managing fears and blocks around intuitive eating (e.g. will I gain weight or overeat?)

Here’s a quick summary of the podcast episode!

Finding Food Freedom: From Bikini Competitions to Health at Every Size

Lauren shares her own struggles with disordered eating, including during her time as a bikini competitor. She gradually shifted from chronic dieting to following intuitive eating principles and recognizing that true health isn’t tied to numbers.  Her mission now is to others leave dieting behind and live a life that feels good to them physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Distorted Eating & Chronic Dieting: It’s more common than you think

Dieting is so normalized in our culture as a way to change body shape and size that we don’t always recongize when it borders on disordered. So Lauren shares how chronic dieting behavior isn’t just counting macros but also avoiding specific foods or skipping bread to “save” calories. It includes arbitrary rules or beliefs about “good” and “bad” foods. These may seem insignificant but have a HUGE impact on our relationship with food.

Breaking Free from Diet Culture: Food Freedom & Intuitive Eating Principles

Think about all the time, money, and mental space you’ve wasted on dieting. What if you could redirect that energy towards creating a life you enjoy, food you savor and moments you don’t miss? We talk about what food freedom looks like and how to start incorporating intuitive eating principles into your daily life. Lauren mentions first steps such as rejecting the diet mentality and honoring hunger and fullness cues because these will be the most impactful. We finish with a conversation on how to rebuild trust in your body and make food freedom a part of your daily life.

CONNECT WITH LAUREN CADILLAC

laurencadillac.com 
Instagram: @feelgooddietician
Tiktok: @feelgooddietician

LISTEN TO NEXT
Episode 222: Why Diets Don’t Work 

Answers to frequent intuitive eating questions

What is intuitive eating, and how does it differ from dieting?

Are you tired of the endless cycle of diets and restrictions? Intuitive eating is your ticket to food freedom! It’s about reconnecting with your body and trusting its signals to guide your eating choices. Think of it as a shift from external rules to internal cues. It’s a much more fulfilling and balanced way of nourishing yourself.

How can intuitive eating help me break free from food rules?

Imagine a world where you no longer feel guilty for enjoying your favorite foods. With intuitive eating, that dream becomes a reality.  By practicing intuitive eating, you ditch diet culture BS like what, when, and how much you should eat. It allows you to tune in to your body’s needs, cultivate self-compassion, and develop a healthy relationship with food and your body. Embrace the joy of eating without judgment!

Is it possible to trust my body’s cues and still maintain a healthy weight?

Intuitive eating recognizes that health is about more than a number on the scale. It’s nurturing your body and honoring its unique needs. Intuitive eating emphasizes body trust and acknowledges that each person’s natural weight may vary. This means that YES you can still be healthy but your weight could fluctuate – sometimes you lose it and sometimes you gain it. This is why it’s so important to focus on your well-being instead of the number.

Can intuitive eating help me address emotional eating and develop a healthier relationship with food?

Absolutely! Emotional eating is a common struggle for many, but intuitive eating offers a compassionate solution. Instead of turning to food as a band-aid for your emotions, it encourages you to explore the underlying causes and find more coping mechanisms. This means you’ll stop judging your emotions or suppressing them and this in turn makes it much easier to manage those emotional eating cravings.

How do I start incorporating intuitive eating principles into my daily life?

It starts with a willingness to challenge the norms of diet culture. Begin by rejecting the notion of “good” or “bad” foods, tuning in to your body’s signals, and practicing self-compassion. Release food guilt and listen to your body’s cues. Seek professional guidance if needed.

What are some practical tips for honoring my body’s signals of hunger and fullness?

Slow down during meals, check in with your body’s hunger and fullness signals, and give yourself permission to enjoy foods that bring you pleasure. Strive for a balance between nourishment and satisfaction, trusting your body to guide you. Most importantly, pay attention to how different foods make you feel and aim for a comfortably satisfied state, neither overly full nor deprived.

Is it okay to indulge in foods I enjoy without feeling guilty?

Yes! Intuitive eating embraces the concept of food freedom, allowing you to enjoy all foods without guilt or judgment. When you give yourself permission to savor your favorite foods mindfully, you build a positive relationship with food and break the cycle of restriction and overindulgence.

Can intuitive eating be effective for managing specific dietary needs or health conditions?

Fear not! Intuitive eating is adaptable and customizable. It’s about finding the right balance that works for your body and overall well-being. Seek guidance from healthcare professionals who understand intuitive eating principles and can help you navigate any specific requirements while still honoring your body’s cues and promoting overall well-being.

Can intuitive eating help improve digestive issues and well-being?

It’s true! By tuning in to your body’s cues, you uncover which foods support your well-being and which ones may trigger discomfort or digestive issues. Embracing intuitive eating can also reduce stress around food so that your body processes nurtrients more effectively.

What are some common misconceptions about intuitive eating?

One common misconception is that intuitive eating means giving in to every craving without considering nutrition but intuitive eating is really about finding a healthy balance. It’s not about unrestrained indulgence as many people popularly misunderstand. Instead intuitive eating emphasizes varied food choices that nourish our bodies and bring us satisfaction.

Food Freedom & Intuitive Eating Book Recommendations

“Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Anti-Diet Approach” by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch
“Anti-Diet: Reclaim Your Time, Money, Well-Being, and Happiness Through Intuitive Eating” by Christy Harrison
“Health at Every Size: The Surprising Truth About Your Weight” by Linda Bacon.

Blog Recommendations

The Real Life RD
Body Kindness with Rebecca Scritchfield
Imma Eat That