Wellness Week: Nourish Your Body Through Mindful Eating featuring Splendid Spoon
April 24, 2017
Just as we possess tremendous potential to connect more deeply with people, the same goes for our bodies. Let’s create a more nourishing life by better listening to ourselves.
Are you Hungry?
Before you begin your next meal, think about whether you’re actually hungry. We often eat because it’s the right time of day. There’s no need to adhere to standard eating times if that’s not what your body needs. Eat when you’re hungry — whether that means having lunch at 11am or 3pm.
Notice when you’re eating because of stress or boredom. This is a totally normal eating habit: it stems from a desire to escape the present situation. When you reach for those snacks on your desk, take a moment to ask if you’re actually hungry. Is that what your body needs, or is it a response to a certain emotion?
Are you Full?
When you’re eating, take your time, put your spoon down between mouthfuls, and notice how you feel. Too often we race through our meal. This robs us of the pleasures of eating well, and leads to overeating. Even if you’ve made a set portion size, it might not be right for you. When you’re eating, focus on how your stomach feels throughout the entire meal. As you become full, the empty feeling will be replaced with a gentle pressure. When you feel that pressure, it likely means you’ve had enough, regardless of how much food may remain. You should still feel light and energetic with this pressure.
How do you Feel?
When you finish a meal, don’t rush on to the next activity. Take a moment to think about how you now feel. Do you feel energized, exhausted, lethargic, bloated, still hungry? Try to connect what you eat to how you feel. This way you can adjust your choices in the future — and eat what makes you feel good.
What Will Help?
By understanding how certain foods affect your body and mind, you can nourish yourself by eating according to your needs. If you feel down, food rich in vitamin D will help improve your mood; if you have a cold, add ginger, turmeric, and citrus to your diet; if you’re tired, boost your energy levels with water and complex carbohydrates.
By strengthening the connection to your own self, you can eat more mindfully, and lead a more nourishing, energized life.