Eating voices such as the Food Police and the Nutrition Informant are derived from which theory?

The correct relationship between eating voices like the Food Police and Nutrition Informant is rooted in Berne's Theory of Ego Structure. This theory, part of Transactional Analysis, posits that our personality is composed of three ego states: Parent, Adult, and Child. The 'Food Police' and 'Nutrition Informant' represent the critical voice that stems from the Parent ego state, which can be judgmental or restrictive about food choices and nutrition.

In the context of Intuitive Eating, these "voices" reflect the internalized societal and cultural messages—often laden with guilt or rules—about food and body image. By recognizing these voices, individuals can work towards silencing or reframing them, promoting a more balanced and positive relationship with food.

This understanding emphasizes the need for counseling practices to help clients differentiate between these critical internal dialogues and their genuine hunger and satiety signals, aligning with the goals of intuitive eating which focuses on promoting health and well-being rather than adhering rigidly to dieting rules.

Other theories mentioned, such as Piaget’s focus on cognitive development and Freud’s ideas surrounding unconscious drives, do not specifically address the internalized self-talk regarding eating habits and behaviors in the way that Berne's model does.