The Body Knows Before the Mind (Understanding Embodied Intelligence & Intuitive Nourishment in a Noisy World)

Have you ever reached for a certain food, herb, or ingredient…

only to later discover it was exactly what your body needed?

I’ve been in awe of this lately.

It’s a form of intuition I’ve underrated—yet it’s helped me tremendously over the years.

What I’m referring to is embodied intelligence—your body speaking through cravings, rhythms, and quiet cues long before your mind catches on.

Sometimes it’s a colorful salad

🧠 Your Mind Thinks in Language.

🌿 Your Body Thinks in Sensation.

We often assume logic should lead the way—

but the body is constantly gathering data we can’t yet articulate.

It responds to subtle shifts in hormones, mood, energy, and environment—

and usually gently (sometimes loudly) guides us toward what will bring balance.

Take maca powder, for example.

I began adding it into my routine without knowing much about it.

It just felt right.

Weeks later, I discovered that maca supports hormone balance, energy, mood, and resilience.

Let’s just say, that support has outstandingly come in clutch this summer—with three boys at home. 💅

My body had already chosen the support.

My mind only caught up once I researched it.

I’ve picked up on random shifts in my diet many times—and it’s helped me deepen how I honor and support my body.

I often speak on intellectual themes, but none of that would be sustainable without the body holding it all. We wouldn’t be supported without it.

This is what intuitive nourishment looks like.

It’s not about perfect diets or knowing everything.

It’s about learning to recognize the quiet ways your system communicates with you—

even when you’re not consciously aware.

sometimes it’s just comfort 🫠

Why This Happens

The body is a sensing, responding organism.

It doesn’t wait for permission or explanation—it just adapts. It is more resilient than we often give credit.

Here’s how that wisdom shows up:

• Gut–Brain Axis: Your digestive system sends signals to the brain based on what you’re lacking or needing.

• Hormonal Feedback: Imbalances often express themselves through cravings—specific textures, flavors, or nutrients to restore equilibrium.

• Energetic Sensitivity: We’re drawn to grounding foods in chaos, light foods in grief, nourishing tonics during burnout.

You may think you’re “randomly” choosing something—

but more often than not, your nervous system (with support from your mental capacity) is making the call.

Intuition led me to keep the cucumber water that came with making tzatziki and what came later was this brilliant cucumber mint slushi✨

The Importance of Listening in a Noisy World

Today it’s all about health trends, prescriptive eating plans, and endless noise about what’s “right” for your body.

But external noise often drowns out internal truth.

When we’re too plugged in to what others say we should eat, do, or feel,

we lose the subtle frequency of our own knowing—our own connection to our body.

This is why cultivating body awareness matters more than ever.

It’s not about tuning out the world completely—

it’s about tuning in enough to hear your own intuition through the static.

The body doesn’t always speak loudly, but it does speaks consistently.

You just have to remember how to listen.

sometimes it’s for crunch and compromise

How to Strengthen This Relationship

Here are a few gentle ways to rebuild trust in your body’s inner voice:

1. Pause before eating – Ask: What does my body need—not what do I think I should eat?

2. Track cravings – Especially when they’re persistent. They may be linked to emotional, hormonal, or energetic needs.

3. Reflect afterward – Notice how you feel after giving your body what it asked for. Did you feel grounded? Energized? Clear?

4. Remove judgment – Intuition isn’t always “clean” or “pretty.” Sometimes you need density, warmth, or crunch to feel safe.

For example:

I’ve noticed I crave crunchy foods when I’m stressed—something about that texture helps me release tension.

And I gravitate toward fruits and herbs when I’m processing emotion—they help me stay fluid and clear.

When I pause long enough, I can feel whether I need protein, sugar, lightness, or grounding.

A New Way to Understand Self-Trust

When someone says “trust your body,” they’re not talking about guesswork.

They’re talking about honoring a system that has been communicating with you from the very beginning.

Before your thoughts.

Before your rationale.

Before the research.

Sometimes the body says yes way before the mind can explain why.

The more we listen, the stronger that dialogue becomes.

The more we honor it, the more resilient, regulated, and whole we feel—

without overthinking every step.

This is the beginning of deep self-trust.

Not taught from the outside—

but remembered from within.