7 Important Reasons to Eat Mindfully

What is Mindful Eating?

Mindful eating is when we can be totally present to our meals while eating. Now you may be wondering why this is important.

First of all, our digestion actually begins in our brain! Yes, that is a scientific fact. Have you ever had a plate of your favorite food placed in front of you or been walking down the street and take in the aromas of food that might be cooking somewhere and find yourself beginning to salivate? This is CPD, or your brain registering the sights and smells of food which begins to trigger the salivation process which is already producing enzymes to break down those foods!

That is pretty amazing isn’t it? So what happens if we are not eating mindfully? Well if we are stressed, or eating on the run (which many people do on a daily basis) then we are by-passing this important connection to what is called the Cephalic Head Phase of digestion, or CPD.

If we eat any meal without being fully present to it, then it can lead to a whole host of problems. This is so easily done today as we might eat while watching TV, spending time on the computer or even when on the phone. Since it is proven that our mind cannot register the fact that we are both eating and taking in information from a TV screen or computer screen, or even while reading, then would it not make sense to spend our time eating mindfully so that our brain truly acknowledges that we are eating, and so our body gets the most nourishment from our meals? After all, this is where our digestion begins!

In order for your food to truly nourish all the systems of your body like your lymph, blood, muscle, fat, bone, nerves and even your reproductive system, you need to become a truly mindful eater. When you eat without being mindful it can actually disrupt your body’s production of healthy body tissues.

So How Do You Become a More Mindful Eater?

Well, first you must become present, you must be in your body. If you are rushing around in your day and just trying to fit a meal in when you can, then most likely you are in a physiological state of stress.

This is not a good state to be in when eating because when you are in stress physiology, your digestive system is actually not functioning, it will be turned off. After all, who needs to be digesting when stressed and running away from danger? This is when we are in our sympathetic state.

The optimum state of digestion, assimilation and metabolism is found in the parasympathetic state. This is when you are relaxed, mindful, aware of what you are doing and your digestive system is turned on.

To get to this state it is important to set aside time for your meals. At best you want to spend at least 30 minutes for each meal because it can take this long before your mind recognizes that you have eaten. You should also have a special place to actually sit down to eat. Then once you have placed the food in front of you, take a few slow, long deep breaths to help bring your body into the parasympathetic state and to turn on your digestive system. Now you will be in a mindful, present, relaxed state for eating your meal.

Next, it can help you to connect even more to what you are about to eat, by placing your hands on your plate or bowl and take a few moments for gratitude; gratitude for the opportunity to have the meal you are about to eat; gratitude for the person who grew this food; gratitude for the nutrients that are in the food you are about to eat which will be nourishing your body and helping to keep your body’s tissues healthy.

Now it is important to learn to slow down, to chew each mouthful of your food many times. You may find it helpful to put your fork or spoon down between mouthfuls and not to take another bite of food until the previous one has been thoroughly chewed and swallowed.

Pay attention to taste, texture and the pleasure that the food is bringing you. And of course to remain mindful to each mouthful by not being on the phone, or on your computer, or watching TV, or even catching up on reading newspapers, magazines or books!

Here are 7 Important Reasons to Eat Mindfully

1. You Will Become More Present

One of the most important reasons about eating mindfully, is that it helps you to become more present. Since eating is something we all do on a regular basis each and every day, by learning to become more present to your food, you can actually become more present in everyday life too.

2. It Will Encourage You to Eat Healthier Food

When you start to connect to and become more present to what you are eating, then you begin to realize the importance of what you are putting into your mouth. There is a saying “we are what we eat” and when you become more present to what you are eating, you may begin to question if what you are eating is actually helpful for your body or if it is harmful.

And it may surprise you to find that real, whole, healthy food actually tastes so much better than processed, packaged and junk foods! You might find you are more eager to try different foods, prepare more colorful meals and enjoy finding out more about the food you are eating.

3. You Will Begin to Tune in to Your Emotions

By becoming more mindful you may start to recognize the reasons why you are eating. Like are you really hungry? Why are you choosing the particular foods you are eating? What role is your current meal fulfilling?

Many people are emotional eaters and will turn to food to help deal with their emotions. By being more mindful you become more present to those emotions and allow them to run through you.

4. It Can Help You Connect to Binge Eating Habits

When you are more present to your eating habits which help you to tune into your emotions then this can help to prevent binge eating episodes.

Binge eating often happens because you are missing something in your life and you will turn to foods to give you that “something”. So if you find yourself binge eating, allow yourself to be present to what you are eating. Ask yourself why you felt the need to reach for this food. Perhaps this awareness will allow you to ask what else you might be able to do instead of turning to food.

5. It Can Help to Prevent Overeating Habits

When you are more present to eating, your stomach and brain will actually register the feeling of being full or being satisfied with what was eaten and can help avoid overeating habits. This connection is certainly lost if we are scarfing down our meals in front of the TV or computer.

Once you are more present to eating, you will begin to have a better idea of how much food your body really needs.

6. It Can Help Alleviate Digestive Complaints

When you eat fast, or overeat, it can lead to digestive issues like bloating, burping, gas or indigestion. Burping can be caused by gulping in air when eating your food too quickly.

And when you finally learn how to chew your food well, breaking it down mostly in your mouth, then your digestive system does not have to work so hard! When your digestive system does not have to work so hard to break down the food you will experience better digestion and even better nutrient absorption.

7. Feeling More Comfortable Around Food

When you become more mindful with food you will find yourself making healthier food choices on a more regular basis. You will know that if you stay present to what you are eating that you will not be likely to overeat because you will know when you have eaten enough. You will have a better sense of what your body really needs rather than what it wants.

When eating out you will find you are making better choices from the menu. This will even help you to feel more comfortable at parties and other social events too! You can avoid the embarrassment of being seen around the food all the time!

I hope this article has helped you to rethink about your relationship with food and if you would like to learn more, please reach out to me for a free Nutrition Strategy Coaching Session to find out more!

Photo by Вадим Маркин from Pexels

Your Nourishing Nutritionist,

Lynne Bowsher

Nourishment for mind, body and spirit

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