We try to eat healthy. We sincerely try to make the most of our diet by choosing fresh local produce, avoiding processed foods and cooking more at home. But we seem to have lost touch with HOW to eat.
How we eat is as important as What we eat.
Proper digestion is critical to absorption. If you miss out on properly digesting your food, then you miss out on getting the nutrients and enzymes from your meal into your cells where they belong.
So let’s get to it. Here are five easy ways to improve digestion.
- Prepare to eat. Take a deep breath and pay attention to your food. Digestion starts in your head. Let your “mouthwater” by taking a moment to appreciate and anticipate the plate in front of you. You can even choose to say a quick prayer of thanks (I won’t tell anyone). Biologically, we are purposely shifting our body from the sympathetic (fight or flight) system to the parasympathetic (rest and digest) system.
- Slow the Fork Down. I know this seems obvious. But more specifically, I mean mindfully chew your food well. Take your time to taste and savor your meal. Focus. Do NOT read a book, watch TV or try to text/browse the internet. Simply eat and relax. Even better, take the time to share your meal time with a friend or loved one.
- Pace yourself. Are you enjoying your meal? Have you had enough? You don’t have to clean your plate. Try to end your meal without feeling stuffed.
- Hydrate. Drink some but not too much. You don’t want to dilute your stomach acid. You need that to break down your meal. Avoid soda, juice, and alcohol. Water with a bit of lemon is a good solid option. Taking a sip here and there forces you to put that fork down and pause for a minute.
- Add ferments. You knew this was coming, right? A probiotic-rich food aids in digestion. Choose a bit of sauerkraut, a pickle, a fermented chutney or salsa, or a bit of sour cream. It’s pretty easy to find a tasty ferment to accompany each meal.
That’s it! Try these 5 simple steps and see how you feel.
PS: If you want to learn to make mouthwatering Dosas and Chutneys – Be sure to register today for the last few spots in my upcoming workshop.