One of my favorite parts of writing this blog is hearing from you, whether it’s through an email, a quick message, or even a phone call. I love hearing how my words connect with your own experiences. It always reminds me that these conversations about food, body, and self are truly shared journeys.
Just the other day, a friend called after reading my post “When Your Mind and Body Feel Out of Sync: Navigating Intuitive Eating on ‘Off’ Days.” She wanted to tell me about a little piece of wisdom passed down in her family. Her grandmother’s advice was simple: “If you’re hungry but don’t know what you want, open the fridge, eat an olive, and wait an hour. By then, you’ll know what you’re craving.” She swore it worked every time! I loved the simplicity of that gentle pause.
What struck me most about her story wasn’t just the olive (though I admit, it made me want to go out and buy a jar immediately), but the underlying wisdom. It was a reminder that sometimes the best remedies are the simplest ones. When we feel disconnected from our appetite, when our body says, “feed me,” but our mind shrugs and says, “I don’t know what I want”, it can be frustrating. We live in a world where eating is often rushed, distracted, or influenced by external rules, so finding ourselves in that pause of “not knowing” can feel uncomfortable.
But here’s where her grandmother’s advice shines: it encourages curiosity without pressure. Eat something small, give your body a moment, and trust that clarity will come. That’s essentially what intuitive eating is about: creating enough space to listen in, instead of forcing a quick fix.
I think so many of us have family remedies like this. It is these little pearls of wisdom passed down from mothers, grandmothers, or friends. They may not be written in a nutrition textbook, but they carry their own kind of nourishment. They connect us not just to food, but to memory, heritage, and the people who cared for us.
For me, that call was also a reminder that intuitive eating doesn’t always have to be complicated. It’s not about getting it “perfect.” Sometimes it’s as simple as an olive and an hour. Sometimes it’s a piece of fruit while you wait for your true hunger to speak more clearly. Sometimes it’s even letting yourself admit, “I don’t know what I feel like yet, but I’ll figure it out.” That kind of permission can be so freeing.
So next time you find yourself staring into the fridge with that fuzzy feeling of blah, not quite sure what your body wants, maybe try the olive trick. Or your own version of it. And more importantly, remember that you’re not alone in those moments. We’re all learning, pausing, and listening together. And sometimes, it’s those very pauses that bring the sweetest clarity.
I’d love to hear from you. Do you have a family food remedy, a quirky little tip, or a tradition that helps guide you back to your body? Share it with me! Your stories inspire not only me, but also this whole community of readers walking the path of intuitive eating right alongside you. As a licensed Clinical Behavioral Therapist and Intuitive Eating Counselor, I’m here to support you. If you’d like to explore working together, feel free to reach out at rachel@livehealthynyc.com.