Intuitive Eating FAQs
What is Intuitive Eating?
Intuitive Eating was developed by Registered Dietitians, Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch, as an anti-diet approach to wellness. Intuitive Eating is a flexible style of eating where you learn to follow your internal sensations of hunger and satiety to gauge when to eat, what to eat and how much to eat. However, Intuitive Eating is not just a “hunger-fullness” way of eating. Intuitive Eating counseling works to explore: ditching diet mentality, unconditional permission to eat any food, food behaviors and beliefs, body image, self-compassion, coping mechanisms, gentle nutrition and joyful movement. To read more about Intuitive Eating, click here.
So, you’re a dietitian…and you’re saying I can eat whatever food I want? Isn’t that counterintuitive to what dietitians do?
Ha! Yes, you can! For some this can sound thrilling, and for others incredibly scary. I understand and empathize with both responses - and we would unpack this together.
The following principles, ‘Make Peace with Food’ and ‘Challenge the Food Police,’ are all about allowing yourself unconditional permission to eat any and all foods and challenge the idea that anyone (including yours truly) knows what satisfies you, other than you. You are in control and the expert of you, when it comes to Intuitive Eating. If you’re allowing yourself only certain foods that you deem “good” or “healthy” the deprivation that is occurring with other deemed “bad” or “junk” food can lead to intense cravings, and often times bingeing —> guilt —> restriction and back to the beginning of the cycle we go (this is a.k.a. the dieting cycle). Together, we would work to create an “All Foods Fit” mentality, which means that all food can be a part of a healthy diet and relationship with food. With the process, your body often finds certain foods you once deemed as “exciting,” to just be “food” and not all that thrilling any more. Through this work, your body finds its own balance once you begin to fully trust it. Our bodies are smarter than we give them credit for.
Will I gain or lose weight with Intuitive Eating?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that weight equates to health. More and more evidence states that weight is not a good indicator of health 1, 2. With Intuitive Eating, weight is put on the ‘back-burner’ to fully explore all 10 Principles of Intuitive Eating, while we work on other modifiable health promoting behaviors (ie. sleep, sustainable and enjoyable movement, mental health, flexible eating, etc.) as well as your relationship with food and your body. During the process, your weight may increase, stay the same, or decrease. This can sound unfulfilling and scary for many, as it is so different than what we hear from mainstream diet culture. If that is the case for you, it is completely normal and understandable. Additionally, if you are looking for more research to back up not using weight as an indicator for health, Dr. Hunger published this fantastic paper which I highly recommend reading.
So, you don’t offer meal plans and can’t promise me I’ll lose x amount of weight…so, what can you provide me?
Freedom! In addition, you will learn how to: become more present in your day-to-day moments, connect and trust your own body, look in the mirror and respect the body in front of you (even on challenging body days), move your body in ways that feel good, eat all foods without a good/bad hierarchy, care for your body and mind, challenge the food police and have the brain space to focus on your goals and dreams.
I’m curious about Intuitive Eating, but afraid to get started. How do you recommend dipping your toe in?
Some of my favorite resources include reading The Intuitive Eating book, listening to Dan Harris’ Ten Percent Happier podcast interviewing Evelyn Tribole and checking out some of my blog posts to learn more about Intuitive Eating.
What do sessions look like with you?
One of the most common questions we get on discovery calls is, “what do sessions actually look like?” This is a great question! We like to describe the work as ‘nutrition therapy’ - we dig deeper into topics around food and body (similar to what therapy sessions may sound like), but also weave education/learning strategies regarding various topics (nutrition, body image, body awareness, movement, navigating emotions, etc.) into sessions. During sessions we will leave space to discuss events that may have taken place between sessions and how they impact or are shifting your beliefs about your body and food. We also utilize the Intuitive Eating workbook to provide you with writing and question prompts to help support our work together.
General FAQs
Do you take insurance?
At this time, we do not accept insurance. However, we are happy to provide you with a superbill (medical receipt) upon appointment. Clients can then submit these superbills to their insurance company for partial or full reimbursement, based on their out-of-network coverage. This reimbursement rate is different for each insurance provider. To determine possible reimbursement, you may contact your insurance company directly and ask:
Do I have out-of-network benefits to see a registered dietitian for the following CPT codes: initial session 97802, follow-up sessions 97803
If yes, what amount of the fee will you cover?
Is pre-authorization required in order to submit an out-of-network claim?
What is the deductible, and how much of the deductible have I met?
Who do you work with?
I work with women 18+ who are highly committed to making changes. I do not work with women who have an active eating disorder.
How do I get started?
To get started, book your initial discovery call.
What does a discovery call entail?
This is a free 15 minute phone call to discuss your challenges and goals, related to food and your body. This will give me a good idea of who you are, your relationship with food and your body and discuss how I can best support you. If we are a good fit, you can then go ahead and book your initial session!
How much do you charge?
Our 75 minute initial sessions are $280, and 60 minute follow up sessions are $225.
I can’t afford your services, do you have any low/no cost options available?
Yes! Follow along for free content on social media, check out our blog, and subscribe to our newsletter.