NWP Episode 148: Is It Okay to Meal Plan and Food Prep as an Intuitive Eater?
There are so many misconceptions about intuitive eating, one of the biggest ones is that it’s anti-health and you cannot care about nutrition, health and wellness. The reasons, however, that health and wellness is pursued as an intuitive eater is very different than the diet culture infused versions of health and wellness.
So can you practice meal planning and food prepping as an intuitive eater?
Absolutely!
Important distinction: make sure you are in a healthy place with it first, though. If you are using it to control your food, it would be important to take a break until you can come back to it in a more fluid, healthy way. Think of it like the exercise conversation, just because we ask at times for exercise breaks, for example pausing on exercise until you get your period back if its missing, that doesn’t mean its a forever thing. Just like exercise too, meal planning and food prepping should enhance your life, bring joy or reduce stress, it shouldn’t be about controlling your body, controlling your food or exercise, forcing yourself to do anything. Remember: if not doing a health or wellness habit causes internal stress or anxiety or worry, that’s how you know it’s something to reflect on the why behind it.
I also think it’s critical to be flexible with it, as well as know it’s not for everyone, too. Some people will love it and find it so helpful, and do it all the time. Where other intuitive eaters won’t enjoy or find it helpful at all, and that’s 100% okay too. Intuitive Eating is all about individuality and doing what is best for you.
Here are some Intuitive Eating aligned reasons to meal plan and food prep:
Saves time, you cook once and eat many times. And save time not having to battle over what’s for dinner nightly.
Saves money from eating out or getting take out.
Aligns with your values, like eating as a family..
Reduces stress on mental decision fatigue
Gives you more space to do other things that bring you joy (I always look for recipes that are under thirty minutes to cook).
Encourages you to try new foods and recipes.
Challenges you to try new foods and recipes.
Environmental factors, reducing waste (eating more at home and also less plastic wrapped items).
Other helpful blog posts about meal planning:
https://nutritionstripped.com/family-meal-planning/
http://immaeatthat.com/2017/07/13/how-i-grocery-shop-when-i-dont-have-a-plan-2/
Mantra for the week:
I love myself because (fill in the blank).
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