At a meditation class, members were asked to eat a muffin while doing a mindfulness meditation. This interesting exercise was to train them to slow down and recognize what they’re eating. The practice taught them enjoy the food, the texture, the taste and the range of flavor.
Most of the people eat quickly, while on the run. We all must know that the faster we eat the more difficult for our system is to digest the food we have consumed.
The saliva in our mouth contains enzymes that help to break down the food. If we barely chew our food and gulf it down, our digestive system is already in trouble and the food hasn’t even touched our gut yet.
When the food does reach our gut it is not chewed enough, so the enzymes in our saliva that should help break it down are not there. Our digestive system has to work extra hard to process this food, extract nutrients and remove waste. In this way, our digestive system becomes weaker over time and we are more likely to add a few pounds of fat.
By slowing down and chewing our food fully our body will get more nutritional value from what we eat!
In this article we recommend you three simple practices that you can engage in before you eat food, to improve your digestion and benefit your health:
1. Drink Water:
Drinking water while eating is not good for you. The water will interfere with digestive enzymes and acids causing your digestive system to have more difficulty digesting.
If you are consuming healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, they already contain amount of water your body needs so, keeping drinking separate from eating is a definite recommendation.
Drinking water after a meal aids digestion! It is recommended to drink water 20 minutes before eating. This hydrates your body and helps to purify your digestive system to prepare for more food to digest.
2. Take 9 Deep Breaths Before Eating Anything:
There are many health and wellness benefits of deep breathing, and because of the benefits it offers this should be your daily practice!
By taking approximately 9 deep breaths before eating your body can better digest food.
Nine deep breaths before eating food allow your body’s nervous system to go into a parasympathetic state, which means that you are more relaxed and calm.
Deep breathing also stimulates detoxification through the lungs as well as stimulates better lymphatic flow. When detoxify, the body can handle the load of food easily.
3. Appreciate Your Food & Set An Intention:
Many cultures pray to express gratitude and ask for nourishment from the food before they eat it. Having a prayer or take a moment of silence to appreciate the food is great for your mindset before eating. Set the intention that you will eat slow, thoroughly and chew your food. By doing this your body is going to have easier and more beneficial experience from the food.
Practise these 3 things before eating and you will feel less digestive discomfort from meals or snacks!