At some point in our lives, we all have given in to food cravings, haven’t we? Think about the number of times you have eaten something out of pure impulse. How do you feel about it now?
Our nutritionists in Dubai understand two types of hunger – the physical and emotional hunger. The physical hunger is straightforward. Your body needs energy and it starts sending signals that tell you that you are hungry. This kind of hunger is gradual and can be postponed. When you are physically hungry, your body just requires some kind of food that will help keep it functioning. You eat till you are comfortably full and you feel satisfied afterward.
Emotional hunger is entirely different. This type of hunger is attributed by emotions like sadness and anxiety and has little to do with your body’s actual need for food. It starts suddenly, comes as cravings for particular types of foods and will be completely impulsive. Strong emotions can make you eat until you are uncomfortably full and leaves you feeling guilty about it afterward.
Unhealthy eating habits like these will not only ruin your physical health, but your mental and emotional wellness. Simply put, your physical, mental and emotional health are interconnected. You function as a healthy individual when all of these aspects fall in track and work together. At the Hundred, we understand this simple fact, which is why our wellness experts and nutritionists help you find the right balance.
As we have already established, nutrition is a very important factor in maintaining good health. But is nutrition just about the food you eat? Or is it also about how you respond to your food at a deeper level?
Mindful eating is a method our nutritionists often suggest to help people acquire the physical, mental and emotional benefits of consuming good food. In simple words, mindful eating is just about being aware of how you eat by paying attention to what you consume in every bite. When you are mindful of what you are eating, you are paying respect to the food in front of you. In each bite, you are letting your senses understand the many layers of your food, satisfying you with the right kind and amount of food.
Here is how you should engage your senses to enjoy your meals and practice mindful eating-
Gaze at your food
When a plate of food is set in front of you, what is the first thing you do? When you are distracted or eating for the sake of it, you just ‘dig in’ without appreciating it properly. To practice mindful eating, our nutritionists suggest starting by gazing upon your food. What do you see? Are you aware of its rich color combinations? How much space does it take up in your plate? Observe the shape of your food. Is it solid or some form of liquid, like a soup? Take a moment to wonder how the food in front of you reached there. Imagine the journey it took to be in front of you right at that moment.
Feel between your fingers
Dining etiquette often tells us to use cutlery to eat our food. But is cutlery a necessity for all kinds of food? Does solid foods have to be eaten with a spoon, knife and fork? When you practice mindful eating, try keeping the cutlery away. Pick up your food with your hands. Touch and feel its texture and shape. Is it smooth, prickly, soft or hard? Having better awareness of your food makes it more enjoyable.
Smell the aroma
Culinary experts often say that the taste of a food starts with its smell. Without enjoying the aroma of the food, you will never truly appreciate it. Mindful eating also suggests the same. Once you have your food in your hand, bring it closer to your nose. Take a whiff of its aroma. How does it smell? Does it feel like something that you want to put in your mouth?
Savor the taste
Once you smell your food and like it, your body will start activating your digestive system. Wondered why you salivate on smelling something tasty? It’s your body’s natural response to foods and smells we are partial to. Now start by taking a small bite of your food and chewing it slowly. Feel the texture and flavor. Let your taste buds get a good sensation of the different components in your food. Is it sweet, salty, sour or spicy? Experience every aspect of your food as you chew on it in your mouth.
Listen to what you eat
Mindful eating doesn’t stop with tasting. As our nutritionists say, you have to engage all your senses while eating. But how can you listen to your food? Here is how you should do it.
When you bite into your food, does it make a crunch? Or is it a soft bite? As you chew, can you hear any sound of the moment of your food in your mouth? Listen to your teeth biting into the food and against each other. Now swallow it slowly.
Why should you try mindful eating?
Mindful eating is a kind of meditation. Instead of clearing your mind off thoughts and feelings, you eat your meals with awareness of what they are and how healthy they can be for your body. Mindful eating technique will help explore the type of hunger you have and ensure that you eat healthy. By paying attention to what you eat and how your body responds to it, you are listening to your body and what it is trying to tell you.
Although it may feel a bit uncomfortable and awkward at the start, you will be able to develop a real practice that will help you enjoy healthy food physically, mentally and emotionally. Practicing mindful eating will help you reflect on why you are choosing a particular food before you start munching on unhealthy things.
At the Hundred, our nutritionists focus on helping people realize the joy of eating healthy food through techniques like mindful eating. Rather than following a set diet, such methods help you explore the many layers of your food and how it impacts your body.
Are you interested in learning more? Reach out to our nutritionists in Dubai today.
