Let’s clear something up right from the start: unrestricted eating and intuitive eating are deeply connected… but they are not the same thing.
This is something I get asked about all the time, especially inside my coaching spaces and free support group. The confusion is understandable, because at first glance, they both seem to mean “eat what you want when you want.” But how you arrive at that place – and the energy behind it – is what really matters.
So let’s break it down.
Unrestricted Eating: A Big F*ck You to Restriction
Unrestricted eating is what it says on the tin. There are no rules. No moderations. No conditions like “only if I’ve worked out” or “if I haven’t already had sugar today.” It’s a full-on rebellion against all the restriction you’ve lived with – physical, mental, emotional.
When you’re just starting recovery – whether that’s from binge eating, anorexia, orthorexia, or even years of yo-yo dieting – unrestricted eating often looks chaotic. That’s not a flaw. That’s part of the process.
Think of it as a much-needed middle finger to every voice (internal or external) that told you that your worth is tied to how you eat or what you weigh.
It’s messy. It’s emotional. It’s freeing as f*ck.
And it’s also necessary.
Intuitive Eating (aka Intuition Eating): A F*ck Yes to Yourself
Now let’s talk about intuitive eating. I’ve got a bit of a complicated relationship with that term. Not because the concept is wrong, but because it’s often misinterpreted or sold like a diet in disguise.
You’ve probably heard the so-called “principles” of intuitive eating: eat when you’re hungry, stop when you’re full, don’t eat emotionally… blah blah blah.
But here’s the issue – if you’re telling yourself you shouldn’t eat emotionally, that’s still restriction.
Instead of calling it intuitive eating, I like to call it intuition eating – because that’s what it really is. It’s about being deeply attuned to your body, your mind, and your needs in the moment. Not some rulebook. Not a performance. Just connection, trust, and freedom.
Where unrestricted eating is a fck you to the rules, **intuition eating is a fck yes to your truth**.
The Transition: From Rebellion to Peace
Most people can’t skip straight to intuition eating. You’ve got to get the rebellion out of your system first. You need to prove to your body – and to your psyche – that restriction is no longer on the table.
Only then can you move from that all-in, rebellious, overachiever energy (hi, that was me ♀️) into a more grounded, peaceful relationship with food.
In my own story, I went all in. Chocolate, Nutella, ice cream – all the stuff I’d feared and forbidden for years. I did it over and over again until my body knew – truly knew – that it could trust me.
And now? I don’t even think about it. I eat what I want. I tune in. It’s not loud. It’s not chaotic. It’s just… mine. Easy, calm, and real.
Here’s the Bottom Line
Unrestricted eating and intuitive eating are part of the same journey – but they’re not interchangeable. One is the wild rebellion. The other is the gentle landing. Both are important. Both are valid. And neither one is wrong.
If you’re in the thick of it, wondering whether you’re “doing it right,” I invite you to stop worrying. Start listening. Honour where you are. And above all, trust that your body knows the way.
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