Normal eating is achieving Eating Competence.

As defined by Ellyn Satter, normal eating is…

• Arriving at the table hungry and eating until you are satisfied.
• Being able to choose food you enjoy and to eat it and truly get enough of it — not just stopping eating because you think you should.
• Giving some thought to your food selection so you get nutritious food, but not being so wary and restrictive that you miss out on enjoyable food.
• Giving yourself permission to eat sometimes because you are happy, sad or bored, or just because it feels good.
• Generally eating three meals a day, or four or five, or it can occasionally be choosing to munch along the way.
• Overeating at times, feeling stuffed and uncomfortable. And it can be undereating at times, wishing you had more.
• Trusting your body to make up for your mistakes in eating.
• Giving food and eating some of your time and attention, but keeps its place as only one important area of your life. part of your life.

In short, normal eating is flexible. It varies in response to your hunger, schedule, proximity to food and  your feelings.

Ellyn Satter’s definition of normal eating has been widely referenced by professionals working with individuals with eating concerns.

Print these reminders and repeat them often as you redefine how you think of normal eating.