From calorie counting and keto challenges to fasting apps and detox teas, social media has long been obsessed with dieting. But a quiet revolution is underway. A growing number of people are turning away from food restriction and embracing what experts call “intuitive eating”—a mindful approach that focuses on listening to the body’s natural hunger and fullness cues instead of following rigid diet rules.
According to a report by CNBC Make It, intuitive eating “focuses on trusting your hunger cues. You decide what to eat and how much based on that,” explains Jinan Banna, a registered dietitian and professor of nutrition at the University of Hawaii. “It really rejects diet culture. It avoids judgments around food, and it puts the focus on trusting your body,” she adds.
The concept has taken social media by storm, particularly on TikTok, where the hashtag #intuitiveeating has amassed more than 200,000 posts. Users are sharing how letting go of calorie tracking and meal guilt has helped them heal their relationship with food.
Taylor Swift Was Doing It Before It Was Cool
Interestingly, the philosophy that’s now trending online mirrors a mindset that Taylor Swift adopted more than a decade ago. In a 2010 interview with WebMD, the singer shared a refreshingly balanced approach to food: “During the week, I try to eat healthily—salads, yogurt, and sandwiches. No sugary drinks. But it’s nothing too regimented or crazy. We know what’s good for us, thanks to common sense.”
Swift added that weekends were her time to enjoy “comfort foods” like ice cream, cookies, and burgers without guilt. “I’m never cutting out what I love,” she said.
Experts, including Banna, say Swift’s approach perfectly aligns with the core of intuitive eating—enjoying all foods in moderation while respecting the body’s signals of hunger and satisfaction. “Having a very rigid mindset is not helpful and can create problems when it comes to body image and relationships with food,” Banna told CNBC Make It.
The Science Behind Intuitive Eating
The practice of intuitive eating is not new. It was first introduced in 1995 by dietitians Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch in their book Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Program That Works. As summarized by Healthline, it promotes a healthy relationship with food and body image by teaching individuals to eat when hungry and stop when full.
Unlike traditional diets, intuitive eating has no forbidden foods, calorie limits, or “cheat days.” Instead, it encourages self-awareness and self-trust. People are urged to distinguish between physical hunger—a biological need for nutrients—and emotional hunger, which arises from stress, sadness, or boredom.
“Physical hunger builds gradually and can be satisfied by any food,” notes Healthline. “Emotional hunger, however, often involves cravings for specific comfort foods and can lead to guilt after eating.”
Why Experts Recommend It
Studies have shown that intuitive eating is linked to better psychological health, lower risk of disordered eating, and a more stable weight over time. It also improves self-esteem and body image, as individuals learn to appreciate their bodies rather than criticize them.
“The idea that all foods can fit in moderation is powerful,” Banna emphasizes. “Trusting your body and rejecting diet culture helps you maintain both physical and emotional balance.”
The ten guiding principles outlined by Tribole and Resch include rejecting the diet mentality, honoring hunger, making peace with food, respecting fullness, and engaging in movement for joy rather than weight loss.
As intuitive eating continues to trend online, its growing popularity may signal a larger cultural shift—from control to connection, from punishment to patience. In an age dominated by quick fixes and food fads, this mindful philosophy invites people to slow down, listen, and rebuild trust with their own bodies.
According to a report by CNBC Make It, intuitive eating “focuses on trusting your hunger cues. You decide what to eat and how much based on that,” explains Jinan Banna, a registered dietitian and professor of nutrition at the University of Hawaii. “It really rejects diet culture. It avoids judgments around food, and it puts the focus on trusting your body,” she adds.
The concept has taken social media by storm, particularly on TikTok, where the hashtag #intuitiveeating has amassed more than 200,000 posts. Users are sharing how letting go of calorie tracking and meal guilt has helped them heal their relationship with food.
Taylor Swift Was Doing It Before It Was Cool
Interestingly, the philosophy that’s now trending online mirrors a mindset that Taylor Swift adopted more than a decade ago. In a 2010 interview with WebMD, the singer shared a refreshingly balanced approach to food: “During the week, I try to eat healthily—salads, yogurt, and sandwiches. No sugary drinks. But it’s nothing too regimented or crazy. We know what’s good for us, thanks to common sense.”
Swift added that weekends were her time to enjoy “comfort foods” like ice cream, cookies, and burgers without guilt. “I’m never cutting out what I love,” she said.
Experts, including Banna, say Swift’s approach perfectly aligns with the core of intuitive eating—enjoying all foods in moderation while respecting the body’s signals of hunger and satisfaction. “Having a very rigid mindset is not helpful and can create problems when it comes to body image and relationships with food,” Banna told CNBC Make It.
The Science Behind Intuitive Eating
The practice of intuitive eating is not new. It was first introduced in 1995 by dietitians Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch in their book Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Program That Works. As summarized by Healthline, it promotes a healthy relationship with food and body image by teaching individuals to eat when hungry and stop when full.
Unlike traditional diets, intuitive eating has no forbidden foods, calorie limits, or “cheat days.” Instead, it encourages self-awareness and self-trust. People are urged to distinguish between physical hunger—a biological need for nutrients—and emotional hunger, which arises from stress, sadness, or boredom.
“Physical hunger builds gradually and can be satisfied by any food,” notes Healthline. “Emotional hunger, however, often involves cravings for specific comfort foods and can lead to guilt after eating.”
Why Experts Recommend It
Studies have shown that intuitive eating is linked to better psychological health, lower risk of disordered eating, and a more stable weight over time. It also improves self-esteem and body image, as individuals learn to appreciate their bodies rather than criticize them.
“The idea that all foods can fit in moderation is powerful,” Banna emphasizes. “Trusting your body and rejecting diet culture helps you maintain both physical and emotional balance.”
The ten guiding principles outlined by Tribole and Resch include rejecting the diet mentality, honoring hunger, making peace with food, respecting fullness, and engaging in movement for joy rather than weight loss.
As intuitive eating continues to trend online, its growing popularity may signal a larger cultural shift—from control to connection, from punishment to patience. In an age dominated by quick fixes and food fads, this mindful philosophy invites people to slow down, listen, and rebuild trust with their own bodies.
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