Mindful Eating

We hear so much about calories and diets that food can become quite awkward and confusing. But other rules need to be applied first. The body knows how to deal with food and get the best out of it. We just seem to forget the simple rules, be mindful when you eat.

Be around food before you eat it. Spend five minutes in the room smelling that food allowing yourself time before consuming it. The body is now preparing to assimilate the food effectively and optimally.

Be mindful of the moment, breathe well, relax and be in happy anticipation of the coming meal.

Eat slowly without distraction (no TV, no workplace). Chew a lot to break down food

into smaller digestible parts.

During this pre-meal phase, the body is preparing digestive enzymes and a plan to utilise the food. Keep the stresses away so it can “do its thing”. Remember digestion starts in the mouth with amylase and other enzymes that only come when the food is in the mouth.

Challenge: For every meal today take time to really enjoy it and let food do its thing. Observe the taste, smells, heightened visual stimuli, and enjoyment each mouthful gives you. Also, notice how easily the body can digest food without bloating and other symptoms that we get when we just eat too fast and are too distracted.