ISSA Nutritionist Practice Exam

What term describes the practice of listening to and responding to the body's cues for hunger and satiety?

1. Intuitive eating

2. Mindful eating

3. Conscious eating

4. Emotional eating

The correct answer is: Mindful eating

The practice of listening to and responding to the body's cues for hunger and satiety is best described as intuitive eating. This approach emphasizes developing a healthy relationship with food by tuning into the body's natural signals rather than following external diet rules or restrictions. Intuitive eating encourages individuals to recognize when they are hungry, what they crave, and when they are satisfied, allowing for a more personalized and flexible way of eating that can help prevent overeating and promote a balanced relationship with food. Mindful eating, while related, focuses more on being present and fully engaging with the eating experience, including the flavors, textures, and emotions associated with food. Though it can involve listening to body cues, its primary aim is to cultivate awareness during meals rather than prioritizing hunger and satiety signals specifically as intuitive eating does. Conscious eating and emotional eating are not terms that precisely encapsulate the core purpose of listening to hunger and satiety cues. Conscious eating often refers to a broader awareness and decision-making process related to food choices, while emotional eating describes eating in response to feelings, rather than physical hunger. Therefore, the most accurate term for the described practice is intuitive eating.