Question: I was surprised to hear you say that you pretty much let your children choose whatever they want when they are hungry. I think if I had a bunch of candy around, along with the apples, yogurt, wheat bread etc. that the candy would be the thing they would choose. Do you really find that your kids make healthy choices even when they are presented with tastier alternatives? 

Answer: When you first allow them to do this you may find that they will gorge themselves in it.  Let them.  They will make themselves sick.  It’s an amazing thing.  They too will transition from the novelty of it.  It’s pretty amazing.  I do have them ask me if they can get into it.  I ask them in return if they have eaten anything else.  If it is close to dinner time I ask them to wait until after dinner so that it is not just a “quick” fix to normal hunger.

Answer:  I would try an experiment.  Eat it at a pace that allows you to taste each piece.  Does each piece taste as good as the one before it?  If you find yourself reacting to a trigger food sometimes water will eliminate the trigger.  Thirst has an amazing way of being misread as hunger.

Answer:  I love treats too.  However, I have grown out of the “have-to’s” because it is there all the time. The novelty is gone.  You don’t have to have it around you constantly like I do.  You could opt to just make it when you feel like it.  The principle is the same. 

Answer:  If you don’t find yourself longing for it after you passed it and didn’t miss it later then you probable experienced a stimulus response to a past habit and nothing more.   Just make a mental note and log it as a fleeting thought that may come at times but not a real craving.  If you buy it, take a bite but be prepared to spit it out if it doesn’t taste as good as you thought it would.  “Cravings” that are true needs won’t fleet away.  Everything you described above is right on!!!! You are doing great and on your way.

Question:  Will I always have to ask my body what it needs and wants at every meal or snack, or do your instincts become more fine tuned over time? For instance, will I have to ask myself what I want for breakfast everyday, or will the signals eventually become more clear? Do you literally ask your body  permission for every bite you put into it?

Answer:  It will become more natural with time as the body comes to trust the freedom it has been allowed.  It will become second nature—like a language—you wont have to “translate” anymore you will just know.  In the beginning you will ask “permission” a lot.  It’s a matter of re-learning to communicate with this person inside that you have ignored.  I am excited for you!!!  You have fun things ahead of you.