How to Get More From Your Food
Many people these days are very busy and don’t really take the time to connect with their food. Even on a good day, many people may neglect the “awareness” of eating. Are you mindlessly eating? Or, are you conscious of what food you have on your plate and aware of what you are consuming?
You become connected with your food when you are aware of what you are putting in your mouth, how it nourishes your body, and how it makes you feel. For example, if you eat an apple, you can connect with it by being aware of all the sensations that take place while eating it. Feel how your teeth break through the skin of the apple and how the juice emerges once your teeth sink in. Taste the sweetness as you chew. Feel the acceptance as you swallow and understand the apple will provide you with vital nutrition. Does this make you feel good, bad or indifferent? Does it satisfy a need for sweets or energy? Does it fill a void or satisfy your hunger? Being aware of how you feel during consumption could make the difference in how your body accepts that food. You may actually receive more nutrition from your food when you are aware of and connected with it.
It is important to go through the same thought process when you consume junk food. Let’s say you've decided to eat a piece of yummy chocolate cake. Think about what is motivating you to choose the cake. Are you choosing to eat it because you are craving it or because you just felt like having a treat? If you are craving it, ask yourself "why?"
Are you missing nutrition somewhere in your diet?
Are you missing something in your life?
Are you bored, depressed, tired, or experiencing some other emotion that may be drawing you toward that piece of cake?
Understanding “why” can help you break food addiction cycles, or simply allow you to enjoy something that you consciously choose to eat. There’s no fun in eating something you feel guilty about – this defeats the purpose of a “treat.” So, if you choose to eat a treat, enjoy every last bite! In doing so, you will consciously receive the benefit of eating the cake, which is the pure joy of eating it.
Finally, by connecting with your food, you can begin to make food selections based on how you feel and your own nutritional needs.
If you’re feeling too “flighty,” eating some “grounding” foods like root vegetables may help settle your mind.
On the contrary, if you’re feeling too grounded and lethargic, eating a salad may lift your spirits and energy level.
If you’ve had had too much sugar, protein may make you feel more balanced.
However, if you’ve been consuming too much protein, you may crave sweets.
Keep in mind that choosing a natural sugar, like a piece of fruit, will better balance you than unnatural junk food that will likely contribute to more cravings and send your body further out of balance.
Connecting with you food allows YOU to control your food instead of food controlling you. It all starts with becoming aware of what you eat.
Try this: Set a personal goal for this week and see if you can better connect with your food. If you have family living with you, make it a family goal. Have an open discussion about your food and how it makes each of you feel, understanding that each of you may feel very differently.
Need some recipe ideas to help you make better food choices? Check out my book, "I'd Rather Scrub Toilets Than Cook!" for healthy cooking ideas and recipes.
