There is one critical step to the digestive process of eating that many people are indirectly sabotaging, all the while being entirely unaware of it.
You can have the healthiest eating plan in the world, but unless you eat in a way that supports a healthy digestive system, those healthy foods will contribute very little to your health, wellbeing or body weight. So many people today have huge digestive upsets, problems digesting foods, and they suffer from bloating and feeling uncomfortable. Some of the reason for this is how you prepare your food (or lack of) and the way you eat your food, rather than the actual food choices you are making. If, for a moment, you reflect back several generations ago, the way food was prepared varies significantly from the way it is today. Meals were made from scratch, hours were spent in the kitchen creating meals from whole foods, and very little of the ingredients that went into meals were from packets or food-like products. The nutritional value of whole foods is huge, as well as the negative side-effects of ‘food-like’ (artificial foods) products. But further to that is the lack of preparation the digestive system now has for meals. That time spent preparing your meal is sending a huge amount of signals and signs around your body prepping everything from the saliva in your mouth, to your digestive tract, to your blood stream and to your chemical pathways. Your brain receives these signals the moment you think about food, and starts preparing it for digesting the food that will soon be entering the body. The sight of food, the smell of food, the thoughts of food, and the pleasure you will receive from the food all is activating so much within your body already, well before the first mouthful of food is actually taken. This stage is critical, but unfortunately due to eating in a rush, having negative feelings towards your food, being distracted while preparing food, eating convenience foods, eating fast, being unaware of your food, and little to no preparation of meals, this stage is not being allowed to function properly. As a result, food is entering the second phase of digestion without the first stage even being activated properly. The result? A stress-induced shut down of your digestive system causing indigestion, reflux, bloating, gas and an uncomfortable tummy. Instead try spending more time calmly preparing your meals, feel relaxed and happy while eating your meals, remove all distractions such as TV or phones, enjoy eating in a happy environment with friends or family, eat slowly and chew food well before swallowing, and most importantly just simply be ‘present’ in your meal. Too often we rush around while eating and thinking about the next thing on our agenda – instead stop, sit, and be in the moment. Enjoy your meal! Bring on happy digestion! Kerri x |
Kerri van de Loo - Mindfulness coach, Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach & SELF-LOVE COACH:Join our Online Wellness Club here: https://www.bodyessence.co.nz/wellness-club.html Categories
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December 2022
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