Nourish Your Life: The Art & Science of Mindful Eating

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Welcome to "Nourish Your Life," a health and wellness blog dedicated to empowering you on your journey to a healthier, more vibrant life.

In this space, we'll explore the principles of mindful eating, delve into the benefits of the various diets, such as the Paleo diet, and demystify the world of macro counting. Let's embark on a transformative journey together and discover how nourishing your body can lead to a more fulfilling and energized life. In this first installment of "Nourish Your Life," we will delve into mindful eating habits.

Understanding Mindful Eating: A Holistic Approach

In a world that often races through meals, with distracted bites and hurried gulps, the concept of mindful eating stands as a gentle reminder to slow down, savor each moment, and truly appreciate the nourishment that food provides. By slowing down, you will learn to recognize your hunger and fullness cues, and cultivate a deeper connection with the food you consume.

Mindful eating is not just a practice but a philosophy – a way to bring full awareness to the entire eating experience. One such pearl of wisdom comes from Japan in the form of hara hachi bu a traditional practice that encourages mindful eating and moderation

A healthy outside starts from the inside"

Hara hachi bu is a Confucian-inspired Japanese proverb that translates to, "eat until you are 80% full." Rooted in Okinawan culture, renowned for its high number of centenarians, this practice emphasizes the importance of moderation and awareness in our approach to food. It is a practice that transcends mere calorie counting, focusing on the quality of nourishment and respecting the body's natural cues.

The Benefits of Mindful Eating

Reducing calorie intake, without malnourishment, may have a positive impact on longevity.

Okinawan people consume about 1900 calories per day, which is significantly less than the calories consumed by an average American. Mindful eating can help improve digestion, along with preventing the bloat that is associated with inhaling food.

Incorporating Mindful Eating

Three simple things that you can start incorporating today to improve your relationship with food include -

Eat slowly: this allows for your body's hormones to send signals to your brain, so you can recognize that you are full
Focus on food: remove distractions, such as electronics. Focus on food, savor the flavors and texture of food
Use smaller plates: smaller plates, can help you eat less calories overall

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, hara hachi bu invites us to pause, listen to our bodies, and embrace a mindful approach to eating. Okinawans say, "I'm no longer hungry," whereas Americans say, "I'm full." There is a calorie difference between these two phrases. With your next meal, I challenge you to recognize when you are no longer hungry.

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Sources

1.Buettner, D. (2011, January 10). Enjoy food and lose weight with one simple phrase. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/thrive/201101/enjoy-food-and-lose-weight-one-simple-phrase.

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