Updated: August 5, 2025 • Seven-minute read. By Charles Piedboeuf.
Intuitive Nutrition: Listening to Your Cravings, Instructions for Use
Have you ever felt that tug-of-war between craving a square of chocolate and the little voice telling you you should have an apple instead? Intuitive eating offers a way to reconcile pleasure and balance, by inviting you to make peace with food and with yourself. But can we really trust our cravings? Does it open the door to all sorts of excess?
This approach, far from restrictive diets, encourages you to reconnect with your feelings of hunger and satiety, to recognize your body's signals and to cultivate a more peaceful relationship with your plate. But be careful, listening to your desires does not mean giving in to every whim! We take a look at the true mechanisms of intuitive nutrition, its pitfalls, and concrete ways to inspire you without losing the focus on health. 🥗
Principles and misconceptions about intuitive nutrition
Intuitive eating isn't about "eating anything and everything whenever you want." It's based on several pillars: rejecting the diet mentality, honoring your hunger, making peace with food, respecting your satiety... In practice, this means listening to yourself, but not letting yourself be fooled by boredom, stress, or advertising messages that sometimes cloud your sensations.
A common misconception? "If I listen to myself, I'll only eat cakes!" In reality, when you truly allow yourself all foods, the compulsion diminishes. Your body naturally craves variety: a warm, comforting dish, fresh fruit, sometimes a sweet treat... The important thing is to learn to distinguish true hunger from emotional hunger.
To learn more, you can read this expert article on intuitive eating . It will shed light on the nuances between desires, needs, and sometimes deeply ingrained habits.
How Neary Helps You Eat According to Your Needs
At Neary, we believe that listening to your desires also means equipping yourself to better compose your daily meals. Whether you're a fan of batch cooking or "I pick and choose according to inspiration," our solutions help you balance pleasure and practicality:
- Want crispy fries without excess fat? Check out our Air Fryer comparison for golden fries or guilt-free roasted vegetables.
- Dreaming of healthy and friendly grilling? Our barbecue and griddle selection offers a variety of ideas, perfect for satisfying your desire to share.
- Morning smoothies or quick soups? Our blenders and mixers allow you to vary your pleasures while helping you incorporate more fruits and vegetables.
- Lacking inspiration for colorful meals? Seasonal fruit and vegetable baskets give you a helping hand to cook according to your desires... and according to what nature offers you.
Our approach: to give you tools and ideas, without ever dictating what you should eat. You're free to choose according to your mood!
Tips for listening to your desires without feeling guilty
It's not easy to listen to yourself when you've grown up in a dieting or "finish your plate" culture! However, a few simple tips can help you find your inner compass:
- Take a break: before indulging in a sweet treat, ask yourself: am I really hungry, or is it boredom, fatigue, stress?
- Welcome the urge without judgment: no urge is "bad"! Thank your body for expressing itself, then decide consciously.
- Vary the textures and colors: the more visually appealing your plate is, the more satisfied you will be and the less tempted you will be to snack.
- Listen to satiety: put down your cutlery, chew slowly, feel the moment when hunger subsides. It's okay to leave a little on your plate!
- Plan alternatives: Craving something sweet? Make some oven-roasted fruit or a sweet smoothie. Need something crunchy? Carrot sticks, a little cheese, a few almonds...
The goal: to reconnect with yourself, not with the list of "forbidden" or "allowed" foods. Intuitive nutrition is learned step by step, without pressure!
Intuitive nutrition on a budget: it’s possible!
It's sometimes thought that eating according to your desires costs more, especially if you combine it with ultra-processed products or the latest healthy trend. In reality, intuitive nutrition often rhymes with simplicity and seasonality:
- The basics: opt for raw, local and seasonal products – often cheaper and tastier.
- Anticipate your cravings: a well-designed cupboard (legumes, cereals, dried fruits, spices) will help you avoid impulse purchases.
- Smart cooking: batch cooking, cleverly recycling leftovers into salads or wraps, allows you to follow your desires without wasting anything.
- Take advantage of the anti-waste baskets: to vary the pleasures at a low price, take a look at our weekly baskets , always full of surprises.
Listening to yourself is not a matter of budget, but of organization and kindness towards yourself. 🔥
Frequently Asked Questions
Does intuitive eating make you fat?
No: several studies show that by truly listening to ourselves, we eat a more varied diet and find a balanced weight, without frustration. The important thing is to learn to distinguish physical hunger from emotional hunger. Occasional excesses are normal and don't call everything into question!
Can intuitive eating be practiced with a family or children?
Yes, and it's even recommended! It allows children to learn to listen to their bodies, to recognize hunger and satiety, without demonizing food. The key is to offer a wide variety, without pressure or obligation to finish the plate.
What tools are available to help you progress in intuitive nutrition?
Food diaries (focused on sensations, not calories), mindfulness apps, but also discussions with professionals (dietician, nutritionist) are valuable allies to help you progress at your own pace.
Where can I find inspiration to cook according to my desires?
Explore our selection of blenders for simple and colorful recipes, or dive into summer grills to vary the pleasures throughout the week.
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