The Power of Conscious Eating
We’ve all been told “you are what you eat”.
But how true is this, really?
In my experience, how you eat is just as important as what you eat – perhaps even more so.
Let me explain.
When you’re busy, grabbing food quickly between emails and errands, or engrossed in the TV or your phone, you don’t give yourself the opportunity to properly engage with the food you’re eating.
This means that even if you’re choosing healthy foods, your body will struggle to digest and absorb all those lovely nutrients.
In the short term, eating while you’re distracted can leave you feeling bloated, sluggish, uncomfortable or even nauseous after meals.
Long term it can lead to even bigger challenges including difficulty losing weight, inflammation, hormone imbalance, chronic digestive issues, poor detoxification and fatigue – to name a few.
Again, all this can be down to how you eat, rather than the food itself.
Sometimes we blame the food, when actually it’s the way we interact with our food that needs attention.
Allowing yourself the space and time to enjoy your food is one of the biggest gifts you can give your body – and yourself. After all…
Food is medicine.
Food has the power to transform your physical body, your mental health and your emotional wellbeing for the better.
When you think of food this way, it makes sense to give the act of eating the attention it deserves.
Becoming a conscious eater – giving attention to how you eat as much as what you eat – has profound effects on your health. From my experience - both with clients and in my own life - I know being a conscious eater can:
reduce cravings
prevent overeating
improve your relationship with food
support healthy weight loss
increase energy after meals and prevent sluggishness
balance insulin and stabilize blood sugar
switch on leptin, the hormone that helps you feel full
create a sense of calm
reduce bloating
increase satisfaction and pleasure from food
enhance nutrient absorption
strengthen facial tone
encourage healthier skin (thanks to its beneficial impact on the gut)
improve psychological wellbeing
And all this without counting a single calorie.
Not bad, hey.
And the best thing is, it’s free - and you can start at your very next meal.
Eight easy ways to become a Conscious Eater
1. Enjoy your meals at a table, not the sofa (this encourages a better posture for digestion).
2. Create a calm and relaxing space: you might like to put flowers on the table, use the nice plates or play relaxing music. At the very least clear the area of any clutter. If you’re at work, find a space where you can be away from your desk – or go outside if the weather allows it.
3. Switch off or put any devices away. That includes your phone.
4. Take a few moments when you sit down to look at the plate in front of you and engage with your food.
5. Enjoy some deep breaths, grounding yourself in your body and savouring the smell. You might like to take a moment of gratitude (out loud or in your mind) for this nourishment.
6. As you eat, become aware of the flavour, consistency and feel of the food in your mouth.
7. Chew each bite mindfully until it becomes soft. Remember, your stomach doesn’t have teeth, so the more thoroughly you chew your food, the more you support your digestion, giving you better access all those wonderful nutrients.
8. When you’re full, take some time to relax and allow your body to register what you’ve just eaten. The washing up (and work) can wait five minutes.
If you’re not used to eating in this way, be patient with yourself. This is not a “one and done” thing, but rather a practice that develops over time.
And remember - you’re aiming for consistency not perfection. It’s what you do most of the time that makes the difference.
Just know that the more you give yourself the gift of conscious eating, the more benefits you will experience.