What Is “Normal” Eating?

Earlier this week I talked about intuitive eating, but what might “normal” eating look like?

Ellyn Satter, a world-renowned professional on eating and feeding, truly says it best. “Normal” eating is:

-“Going to the table hungry and eating until you are satisfied.

-Being able to choose food you like and eat it and truly get enough of it - not just stop eating because you think you should.

-Being able to give some thought to your food selection so you get nutritious food, but not being so wary and restrictive that you miss out on enjoyable food.

-Giving yourself permission to eat sometimes because you are happy, sad or bored, or just because it feels good.

-Mostly three meals a day, or four or five, or it can be choosing to munch along the way.

-Leaving some cookies on the plate because you know you can have some again tomorrow, or eating more now because they taste so wonderful when fresh.

-Overeating, at times, feeling stuffed and uncomfortable.

-Undereating, at times, and wishing you had more.

-Trusting your body to make up for your mistakes in eating.

-Takes up some of your time and attention, but keeps its place as only *one* important area of your life.

-**In short, normal eating is *flexible*. It varies in response to your hunger, your schedule, your proximity to food and your feelings.”

We use this quote a lot in the eating disorder field and people are often very resistant to it. There typically is quite a bit of debate on many aspects of this definition, especially with the emphasis on allowing oneself freedom and flexibility with food rather than living by food rules.

How many of you resonate with this and feel you are a “normal” eater? Or, if not, what parts of this do you notice your own resistance with? How do you worry your own judgments about food and body will impact your child?