Intuitive Eating for Christians with Char-Lee Cassel [Best of the Podcast!]

Intuitive eating is a hot concept in the health and wellness industries right now. The health at any size communities are warring against diet culture, but the question we have is - is intuitive eating possible for Christian women? Char-Lee Cassel, who is a Christian dietitian, joins me to discuss this.

About Char-Lee Cassel

Char-Lee Cassel is a registered dietitian and an Intuitive Eating Coach for Christian Women who are sick of struggling with body image and want to gain confidence with their food and exercise decisions. She has developed a positive body image and a healthy relationship with food and exercise through studying God’s word and implementing the principles of Intuitive Eating in her own life. Obsessed with: Jesus, coffee, donuts, outdoor adventures, and motherhood.

Aligning How You Eat With Your Spiritual Purpose

Char-Lee and I agree that without the Word, intuitive eating, and eating for health in general, falls flat. God gives us purpose. By treating our bodies with respect, we are honoring them the way God intended.

While some people in the wellness industry might think that intuitive eating is not the best way to eat, Char-Lee explains why it’s actually aligned with Christian values. She encourages us to listen to the needs of our bodies and to fill them with healthy foods. When we eat well and treat our bodies with love and kindness, we are keeping our own temples clean and healthy.

Spiritually Fasting in a World of Diet Culture

How does spiritual fasting intersect with intuitive eating? Especially given that many women approach intuitive eating from a past of disordered eating, this can be tough. But Char-Lee shares that so long as someone is far enough along in their eating disorder recovery, undertaking a spiritual fast can still be an okay thing to do.

We also talk about other ways to participate in a spiritual fast that doesn’t involve food. Fasting should be a regular part of your spiritual practice as the purpose is to make you more mindful of how you connect with God.

Finally, Char-Lee talks about why diet culture attracts so many Christian women. Diet culture as a whole is incredibly toxic and takes us away from our relationship with God. This is another reason why she advocates in favor of intuitive eating as it’s more in line with Christian values.

Have you participated in a spiritual fast before? How can you align your eating habits with your Christian values? Let me know in the comments on the episode page!

In This Episode

How intuitive eating rules fall flat without the Word [9:30]
Why intuitive eating is aligned with Christian values [14:25]
Where spiritual fasting intersects with intuitive eating [21:45]
Why you’re not in control of the outcome of the way you eat [37:17]

Quotes

“Being attuned to the Holy Spirit is a huge part of being attuned to your body and being able to make decisions that honor your tastebuds, your preferences, and also your physical health.” [11:15]

“I think that fasting is really important. But I don’t think that it has to be food. I think it can be food, though, even if you are an intuitive eater.” [24:44]

“We try not to deny our hunger. We try to honor our hunger. I believe that God gave us hunger signals for a reason, he wants us to fuel ourselves to be able to do his work. But spiritual fasting is a biblical principle. It’s something that we’re called to do. I think if your heart is right and you’re removed from diet culture, I don’t see that there’s anything wrong with that as an intuitive eater.” [36:39]

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