Social media has popularized the topic of body image.  Whether it is on TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, or Twitter, both men and women see many variations of body shapes and sizes.  Users are also exposed to online opinions and truths from licensed and unlicensed professionals.  They explain the details and restrictions of diets from keto to plant-based.  However, intuitive eating has made its way into people’s feeds.  This new trend takes a different approach to eating correctly for the body and mind.  Sacred Heart Greenwich senior Karina Sethi discussed her thoughts regarding the intuitive eating lifestyle and shared information she learned after taking the Nutrition and Wellness course through SophieConnect.

When scrolling through social media, it is vital to be cautious of whether or not a licensed professional is delivering information.  Users should always be aware of who they receive advice and details from to avoid false information.

Intuitive eating is different than other diets as it does not cut out foods.  Instead, it encourages people to eat what is right for them as individuals, according to webmd.com.  To eat intuitively, professionals recommend that people are aware of their feelings, specifically fullness, and hunger.  The key to following this eating style is to listen to intuition.  There are ten guidelines for intuitive eating, according to nytimes.com.  The guidelines differ from the idea that there are good and bad foods because they emphasize eating in moderation.

Intuitive eating is not for everyone, as there are reasons for restricting or cutting out certain foods in one’s diet.  Celiac disease and diabetes are examples of medical conditions that require restrictions on specific foods.  Eating is different for everyone, so it is essential to consult with a medical professional regarding what foods are right for one.

Intuitive eating does not guarantee weight loss but aims to help people cultivate a positive relationship with themselves and food.  By the age of 17, 78 percent of girls in the United States do not like their bodies, according to now.org.  Studies show that intuitive eating minimizes negative body image and eating disorders, according to clevelandclinic.org.

Karina served as a Tri-Captain of the varsity soccer team and plays on the ice hockey team in addition to the varsity lacrosse team.  She will continue to play lacrosse at the University of Vermont in the fall.  In the first semester, Karina participated in the Nutrition and Wellness class through SophieConnect.  She learned about the significance of nutrients such as vitamins and minerals.  Additionally, she gained knowledge about eating balanced meals to support her as an athlete and student.

“Eating a balanced variety of foods is important because the food groups work together to sustain you throughout the day,” Karina said.  “It is important to get a balance of different food groups daily because they each work towards something, such as energy or performance.  As an athlete, I find that this balance is important because it helps me to take care of my body, whether I am trying to gain muscle or recover from my game.  I also find that a balanced meal serves me with the energy I need to get through long days.”

Featured Image by Lindsay Benza ’23