Can Intuitive Eating & Veganism Coexist?
Before I answer this question I would first like to discuss what intuitive eating is and also give you a greater perspective of veganism.
IS VEGANISM A DIET?
This is the place where things get tricky. No, veganism is not a diet, but yes it can be. Veganism is an ethical stance against animal abuse and environmental destruction. The added layer is that veganism is an ethical stance that involves food choices. Eating a plant-based diet can have numerous health benefits as long as you are meeting your nutritional needs. People can choose to eat vegan for different reasons related to their health or ethics. It becomes unhealthy when people use it to cover up their restrictive eating habits or believe that it is a weight-loss diet.
WHAT IS INTUITIVE EATING?
Intuitive eating according to dietitians Evelyn Tribole, MS, RD, and Elyse Resch, MS, RDN, CEDRD is a non-diet approach to eating. It does not target weight loss, instead, it focuses on developing a healthy relationship with food and your body. Some of the main focuses of intuitive eating are to reject diet mentality and to recognize that all foods can have a healthy place in your life.
This is where people get confused. How can I practice intuitive eating when I am restricting certain foods from my plate?!
CAN INTUITIVE EATING AND VEGANISM COEXIST?
The answer is yes! The key to this coexistence is not to further restrict yourself within veganism unless it is for a medical reason (i.e. allergies). Restrictive eating behaviors with the intention to lose weight or due to fear of “unhealthy” foods can lead to disordered eating patterns. You should allow yourself to eat when you feel hungry and try not to see veganism as a diet for weight loss (because it is not). It is important to feel comfortable incorporating all of the vegan foods that you enjoy into your diet in moderation. Let go of vegan guilt; forgive yourself if you slip up. Say goodbye to “food rules” that you have created for yourself that are restrictive and hard to follow, and appreciate your body for all that it does for you! Your body deserves to be fueled and feel good! If you struggle with any of these points reach out to a registered dietitian for support and guidance.
Bibliography
10 Principles of Intuitive Eating. Intuitive Eating. https://www.intuitiveeating.org/10-principles-of-intuitive-eating/. Published December 19, 2019.
Barthels F, Meyer F, Pietrowsky R. Orthorexic and restrained eating behaviour in vegans, vegetarians, and individuals on a diet. Eat Weight Disord. 2018;23(2):159-166. doi:10.1007/s40519-018-0479-0
Author: Haley Singer RDN
