Eating Food provides the energy and nourishment our bodies need to keep running and continue to live. We all tend to forget this in a time when it seems like food is endless and in abundance that we actually need it “to stay alive.” This is not what runs through our minds in the Western World when we think about food but other parts of the World this is the reason to eat.
So what makes you want to eat? Maybe you ate because you were hungry but what other factors might affect our decisions to eat and what we should eat?
Is it just a Habit? In this current time of 24/7 options of shops and fast foods deliveries which enables us to eat at any time of the day or night. Many of us eat three times a day with snacks in between and if that routine is disrupted we think our throats have been cut. Where other parts of the World they eat less and but more focused on nutrition for their survival. I’m sure we have all experienced the feeling of ‘full and about to burst’ after eating a large main course and yet, somehow, we still have room for a dessert.
Do we eat too much to be social? It seems a large part of our social lives is geared to going out to eat, chat and eat far more than we would normally. We seem to use food to please others, preparing meals for them and eating with them. But do we ever think about what we are eating in the way of nourishment and nutrition value and to stay alive?
Do the smells and images send your senses into overload? Have you thought about why we see so many great images of food on restaurant menus, amazing descriptions and even better wonderful smells drawing us in. Stimulation of our senses of smell, sight, taste and hearing can be another reason why we can’t stop eating.
Do we comfort eat because of boredom, stress, loneliness or feeling depressed? All these reasons tend to lead to bad choices of foods like snacks which are higher in fat, sugar, calories and nutrient deficient. Leading to weight gain, overeating and health worries but also the highs and lows of empty calorie foods is a roller coaster.
The Roll food plays in your life
How do you see your food and its roll in your life?
What do you want from your food?
Looking to repair your body?
The problem lies in the mind and understanding of how our food works for us.
Eating Think Why…
Know your purpose
Know your feeling
Do what needs to be done
Deliberately paying attention to our choices
Eating we are not comparing ourselves to anyone else. We are not judging ourselves or others. We are simply witnessing the many sensations and thoughts that come up as we eat.
Think Nutrition…
We all love a tasty meal, but whether you are trying to lose weight, help the body repair you need to focus on the nutritional effects of food that enters your body. Focus on the nutritional value of a meal and what functions it is performing to nourish your body. Notice the colours, smells, flavors, and textures of your food; chewing slowly; getting rid of distractions like TV or reading; and learning to cope with guilt and anxiety about food.
Learning lots of facts about nutrition so you can use food to move positively forward. What different types of nutrition does for your body. Consider what you are consuming and make informed decisions to benefit your health and diet. Learn coping mechanisms to help you control urges. Before opening the fridge or cupboard, take a breath and ask yourself, “Am I really hungry?” “Do I need nourishment?” Mindful eating also involves paying full attention to the experience of eating and drinking, both inside and outside the body. The problem lies in the mind and our understand what food is for us to make positive changes.
Mindful Eating not Mindless Eating…
