Intuitive Eating Begins Before You Take a Bite of Food
The subtle Japanese art of nudging healthful behavior
When people think of intuitive eating, we often imagine it to be similar to a meditative experience, as if someone is silently sitting thinking about how the food is filling their stomach as they chew, and stopping only once they feel full and satisfied.
But the practice of intuitive eating actually begins before you start eating.
Pay attention to the plating
For example, if you have any sort of traditional Japanese meal you will find that the food is plated so each component of the meal is made to be a single serving. You’ll also find that each component of the meal is placed to complement each other.
- A single bowl of miso soup and rice, sitting side-by-side
- A single-portion vegetable dish on the outside
- A main dish sitting in the center
- Chopsticks laid parallel, in front of us
Humans are psychological beings, and our understanding of the world is frequently influenced by external factors — a larger plate can make a portion seem smaller or a certain color can make something look more appetizing. But by plating single, moderate portions before…
