With so many of us setting new health and fitness goals, and with our social media feeds sharing 1 million ways to approach our eating choices, I wanted to share highlight the one approach that is going to allow you to continue to remain peace and calm with your food choices into the New Year — Intuitive eating.

If you’ve ever counted calories, you know it can sometimes feel restrictive or even a touch overwhelming, not to mention pulling us out of the present moment as it makes us very food-focused. And while calorie counting might offer a sense of control, it often misses a huge piece of the puzzle—actually tuning in to what your body wants and needs. 

That’s where intuitive eating comes in.

4 Reasons Intuitive Eating Is The Key To Achieving Food Freedom In 2025

1. No restriction and rules: Unlike calorie counting, which can create a “forbidden foods” mindset, intuitive eating lets you enjoy all foods in a way that feels balanced. You’re no longer labelling foods as “good” or “bad,” but instead, focusing on how each choice makes you feel. 
2. Learn to trust your body and what it’s wanting: Counting calories can make us feel disconnected from our body’s natural signals—like hunger and fullness cues. With intuitive eating, you’re rebuilding that connection and learning to trust that your body knows what it needs. 
3. Focus on health and nourishment, not numbers: When we count calories, it’s easy to focus only on hitting a certain number each day. Intuitive eating shifts this focus to how foods affect your energy, mood, and well-being—key parts of feeling your best! 
4. It’s a sustainable way to approach your food choices, for life! Let’s be honest—calorie counting can feel like a chore or something we do for a short stint! Whereas intuitive eating encourages us to select a more sustainable approach to eating by helping you make choices that align with your body and lifestyle, making it easier to stick with in the long run.

Tips to strengthen your Intuitive Eating

1. Check-in with your body regularly: Pause before meals to see how hungry you are on a scale of 0-10, and ask yourself ‘What am I truly craving? What would make me feel great right now?’ This mindful moment can help you make choices that will make you feel great and fulfilled 
2. Let go of the idea of “perfect eating’: Remember that there’s no perfect way to eat! Some days you might crave veggies, and other days you might want dessert. Both are okay and both can fit into a balanced, healthy lifestyle. 
3. Practice self-compassion: As you explore intuitive eating, be gentle with yourself. This isn’t about being perfect; it’s about building a trusting, positive relationship with food, yourself and your body. 
4. Focus on satisfaction: Instead of counting calories, ask yourself, “What would feel satisfying and nourishing right now?” When you’re focused on feeling good, it’s easier to make choices that support your health and happiness.

By shifting to intuitive eating, you’re creating a lifestyle where health and holistic nourishment go hand in hand. You’re empowering yourself to choose foods that make you feel good—not because you’re counting numbers, but because you’re listening to what your body is actually asking for!

Let’s head into 2025 feeling free from rules, restriction and numbers, and instead being more connected to ourselves and excited about our journey toward a healthier, happier you!