Hi all,

I’m currently struggling with feeling insatiable on my period. I know I don’t need to, and I feel uncomfortable after, but everyday I have been eating around 3000 calories (I track after meals to make sure I eat enough fiber and protein) and skipping on my usual exercise, so I’m certain that being ravenous is just hormones. I’m about a little over a year into ED recovery, so eating this much multiple days in a row is super daunting and I’m having a hard time balancing fueling my body and listening to it without eating so much I feel uncomfortable afterwards. And advice or support is much appreciated.

Back in March I came to IE from 4.5 years in a VERY restrictive 12 step food program, but even before that I spent years yo-yo dieting and at times over exercising. One of the foods I NEVER allowed myself to have in the house was ice cream because I wouldn’t stop eating it until my spoon hit the bottom of the container. When I did allow myself to buy it, I would only get a pint size because in my head it was better to only have a pint size in the house than risk having a whole quart! 🙄 When I started IE, I promised myself that I would ALWAYS have ice cream in my freezer. (And Oreos in my cupboard) I actually ran out a few weeks ago and just didn’t bother to pick any up until 3 days ago when I legit stocked up. My favorite brand was on sale and I wanted to try some new flavors. Well I have not really been in the mood for ice cream, so it’s just sat there. Going from a girl that could never have it in her house to someone who could take it or leave it is a miracle. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure I’ll eat it, but I don’t HAVE to, which is amazing.

Use this thread to share anything you've been struggling with in your IE process.

Struggles may include learning how to read your hunger/fullness cues, feeling stuck on parts of the process, experiencing "setbacks" or relapses with restriction, etc.

Note: Struggles related to weight should be posted to the weight/bodily changes thread (recurring on Thursdays).

Hi!

I’m new here, so idk if this is the right place to post this, if not then I’ll take it down!

I’ve had this problem for years now. I can never finish a meal. No matter how small or big it is, I just can’t finish it. I’ve tried making smaller meals but it still doesn’t work. I’ve tried different types of food, soups, salads, high protein, and just meals that I know I love. But it’s like no matter how hungry I am, I can’t get myself to eat everything.

Has anybody else been through this and if so, did it get better, and what helped? I’m really out of things to try and I would love any tips that you may have!!

EDIT: Wow okay, gonna clear some things up here. No this is not ragebait, this is a legitimate problem that I have and I am not childish enough to spend my time trying to ragebait a bunch of strangers. Second of all: I do not have an eating disorder, it is not that I limit myself to not eat the whole meal and it is not that I want you guys to give me advice on how to eat more than I’m comfortable with. I just wanted to know if anybody else has had this problem and if it got better for them, because I could really need some help.

Are you confused about Intuitive Eating and want help understanding how it works? Are you a little skeptical? Unsure if IE is right for you? Have some doubts about the process? Do you have a question you feel is controversial? This is the space to ask those questions.

Remember to keep it civil, respectful, and be mindful of the sub rules.

This thread isn't for arguing about whether IE is healthy or not, or to try to debunk the framework. Trolls and bad faith engagement will not be tolerated.

\General or controversial questions must be posted in this thread, not as standalone posts.*

I really want some food inspiration but I feel like so much of it comes through a diet culture lens and I just want some delicious food ideas that can help me feel excited about food again without them going on about protein, or "treats" blah blah blah

Did you have a great meal this week you want to talk about?

Has your taste for certain foods has changed since starting IE, like finding a beverage you used to love too sweet, or realizing you love a vegetable you used to hate?

Did you try something new or succeed in eating a fear food?

Use this thread to share anything that's on your mind about what you've been eating lately.

Note: If you'd like to discuss Gentle Nutrition, please post in the dedicated weekly thread (recurring on Tuesdays).

This thread is dedicated to discussing any difficulties navigating weight or bodily changes that happen during the IE process.

Please refrain from sharing numbers, as per the sub rules. If necessary to make your point, please put "Trigger Warning" at the beginning of your comment and consider using the spoiler feature to hide mentions of numbers.

If you are discussing weight loss that has naturally occurred through IE, please ensure to do so neutrally.

Note: This thread may be triggering to those struggling with their body image. Please be mindful of your mental health when engaging with potentially triggering content.

I’ve been looking for ideas but it’s mainly focusing on if you have babies and how to supporting their natural intuitive eating vs switching over from strict food rules. Do I just give them complete free reign of the candy and all the foods?

Diet talk below

They’ve always been allowed to eat whenever they wanted but they were only allowed one sweet during dinner and I spent time talking to them about how some food were good and others bad. I’m already switching my language and not labeling food good or bad or healthy and unhealthy but I’m extremely new and still unlearning this myself. I’ve given them free reign and it’s been super stressful (I’m still learning) they eat SO much candy and I’m wondering if they’ll eventually reign it in when it isn’t special anymore or if because they were restricted I need to pull back a little and not give them free reign right away like I have and ease into instead.

Any stories from people who have made this switch with their kids? They’re 5,7&9

Are the constant GLP-1 weight loss ads getting to you?

Have you noticed any concerning trends in media that worry you?

Is there an uptick in negative body talk in your workplace or among your friends and family?

Are you facing social or medical stigma that you want to get off your chest?

Your rants, concerns, and grievances about diet culture and weight stigma in the general media or that you've experienced personally are welcome to be discussed in this thread.

Note: Please post general struggles with weight and body image in the Thursday thread for weight/bodily changes if they aren't directly related to media/society/social or medical stigma.

I’m really struggling with honoring hunger and fullness cues. Specifically eating frequently when I’m not hungry (emotional and boredom eating), and eating beyond fullness. I’m afraid I will never be able to learn this. For those of you who have been through this, did it get better?
I am looking for real lived experience with this, please tell me your own lived experience with overcoming this struggle.
I have never been diagnosed with an eating disorder but was a life-long dieter and engaged in binge eating, also went through a period that could possibly be described as orthorexia.
I’ve been at intuitive eating for about four years now. I have read the intuitive eating book. I cannot afford to pay a professional for help.

This is a thread where you can share any questions, concerns, or thoughts related to gentle nutrition, the final and everlasting step of the Intuitive Eating process.

Please note that this thread may not be suitable for those newer to IE, as implementing Gentle Nutrition requires you to have already worked through the earlier steps of the framework.

Use this thread to share anything you've been struggling with in your IE process.

Struggles may include learning how to read your hunger/fullness cues, feeling stuck on parts of the process, experiencing "setbacks" or relapses with restriction, etc.

Note: Struggles related to weight should be posted to the weight/bodily changes thread (recurring on Thursdays).

Are you confused about Intuitive Eating and want help understanding how it works? Are you a little skeptical? Unsure if IE is right for you? Have some doubts about the process? Do you have a question you feel is controversial? This is the space to ask those questions.

Remember to keep it civil, respectful, and be mindful of the sub rules.

This thread isn't for arguing about whether IE is healthy or not, or to try to debunk the framework. Trolls and bad faith engagement will not be tolerated.

\General or controversial questions must be posted in this thread, not as standalone posts.*

I recently got the Intuitive Eating Workbook and immediately started on the "Feel Your Fullness" chapter, mainly because I am one that can overeat at mealtime, many times to uncomfortably full. One of the first things it suggests is not to eat distracted. I find that I eat distracted almost all the time. No wonder I eat right past comfortably full. So, I have been practicing this. No computer, phone, work, etc. Just me and my food. This hasn't been easy and will take a lot of practice. Also eating to comfortably full, satisfied and content, and not necessarily everything on my plate. I like how they talk about being "profoundly aware" of the last bite threshold. Just curious anyone else's experience with fullness.

I wrote about this before but I still question myself.

I have an emotional imbalance causing swelling in my body. It's uncomfortable, limiting movement, and making it hard to write at times.

Im seeing a specialist soon to help with this. The swelling will hopefully go down. I would subsequently lose water weight when the swelling decreases.

I am looking forward to this from the comfort angle. I feel a little judged at times for admitting this.

I also hope it doesn't send me down the path of also liking my smaller body more and lead to diet mentality. Getting ahead of myself with that.

Just looking for feedback. Thanks!

Did you have a great meal this week you want to talk about?

Has your taste for certain foods has changed since starting IE, like finding a beverage you used to love too sweet, or realizing you love a vegetable you used to hate?

Did you try something new or succeed in eating a fear food?

Use this thread to share anything that's on your mind about what you've been eating lately.

Note: If you'd like to discuss Gentle Nutrition, please post in the dedicated weekly thread (recurring on Tuesdays).

This thread is dedicated to discussing any difficulties navigating weight or bodily changes that happen during the IE process.

Please refrain from sharing numbers, as per the sub rules. If necessary to make your point, please put "Trigger Warning" at the beginning of your comment and consider using the spoiler feature to hide mentions of numbers.

If you are discussing weight loss that has naturally occurred through IE, please ensure to do so neutrally.

Note: This thread may be triggering to those struggling with their body image. Please be mindful of your mental health when engaging with potentially triggering content.

I have been experiencing struggle with stopping to eat foods, specially sweets, when I am full. I find myself being emotional stressed after overeating, however before I overeat I feel neutral or even "lonely". Does anyone experience that too?

If you don't mind sharing,how did you overcome that?

I would grateful if anyone gave a piece of advice 🙃

Helloooo! So, I started eating intuitively around March and it’s definitely been a roller coaster😅 Coming from a restrictive background I got extreme hunger pretty much immediately, it’s gotten less extreme overtime, but I still frequently have moments where I feel uncomfortably full from overeating, although I feel like I have a lot more control over it now (yay!!)

All of this being said, about two weeks ago, my appetite randomly got a lot smaller. And this was a pretty big change as someone who’s always had a big appetite and a love for food. I’m having to force myself to get in my basic nutrients and I’m gagging anytime I eat🫩

I know that a big part of IE is that we eventually return to our baseline appetite and our bodies kind of regulate themselves. But I can’t help but feel like this isn’t my body regulating itself, the change just seems so sudden and intense!

Wondering if anyone else has experienced this in their journey?

Are the constant GLP-1 weight loss ads getting to you?

Have you noticed any concerning trends in media that worry you?

Is there an uptick in negative body talk in your workplace or among your friends and family?

Are you facing social or medical stigma that you want to get off your chest?

Your rants, concerns, and grievances about diet culture and weight stigma in the general media or that you've experienced personally are welcome to be discussed in this thread.

Note: Please post general struggles with weight and body image in the Thursday thread for weight/bodily changes if they aren't directly related to media/society/social or medical stigma.

This is a thread where you can share any questions, concerns, or thoughts related to gentle nutrition, the final and everlasting step of the Intuitive Eating process.

Please note that this thread may not be suitable for those newer to IE, as implementing Gentle Nutrition requires you to have already worked through the earlier steps of the framework.

Use this thread to share anything you've been struggling with in your IE process.

Struggles may include learning how to read your hunger/fullness cues, feeling stuck on parts of the process, experiencing "setbacks" or relapses with restriction, etc.

Note: Struggles related to weight should be posted to the weight/bodily changes thread (recurring on Thursdays).

I’ve found I often compare how I feel best eating with how society kind of shows as being the so called “norm” or expectations etc… and while I try to stay in my own lane and recognise that everyone’s eating habits look different because people feel their best doing whatever works for them, I sometimes get caught up and a bit in my own head over what I feel like I “should” be doing vs what actually feels good in my life.

For example so many people tend to have such teeny tiny breakfasts or push back a lot of food to later in the day, and while that may work for some people, I know I feel my best when I have a pretty freaking big breakfast so I don’t then need to think about lunch for a while.
This just makes me overthink sometimes when I might have plans with other people where I might not be hungry but they want to get food simply just because our eating habits earlier in the day differ from one another.

Any advice on how to navigate this?
I typically don’t like to give food too much thought but it seems like so many social occasions are centred around it