‹ Blog Archive | Friday, Feb 4, 2011
Mindful Eating and Your Metabolism Posted by Isaac Eliaz of Amitabha Medical Clinic & Healing Center
Americans are overweight. It’s not just what we eat, but how
we eat that contributes to the obesity epidemic.
As you probably know, most Americans were thinner when we
sat down to home cooked meals. Now, we barely glance at or taste what we are
eating, since we are usually either driving, working at our desks, or in front
of the TV. Research suggests that our culture of quick consumption, along with
poor food choices, is the reason why our waistlines keep increasing. Chances
are, if you sit down at a table, you may not eat the whole burger and fries,
but if you do, you’ll most likely eat at a much slower, relaxed pace, allowing
your body and brain the time to savor the food and experience the act of
eating. We are all rushed and must
strive to gain balance in our lives. Making time for meals is an important, yet
often overlooked, aspect of healthy eating.
Eat mindfully. Establishing a mind-body connection while
eating will improve your awareness and satisfaction of your meal. Research
shows, cultures that take time to sit and eat with others have less obesity. If
you look at your food, and take the time to really taste it, you will be more
aware of what and how much you are actually eating. We’ve all been there:
finished off that whole bag of chips or that pint of ice cream while watching a
TV marathon of our favorite show. We were eating, but our mind wasn’t part of
the equation. We were consuming mindlessly.
Eating mindfully allows the body and the brain to
synchronize, sending messages that you are full. When you are distracted or
stressed, you eat quickly, and the stomach doesn’t have time to send the
message to the brain that you are full, resulting in overeating. Even if you
only have a half-hour lunch break, try to make the time to sit down, away from
your desk and all distractions, and really embrace your meal. Be aware of how
lucky you are to have this moment to relax and eat. Eating slower and with more
consciousness may also improve digestion and relieve any digestive issues such
as gas and bloating.
Healthy eating is a lifelong process of nourishing our
bodies, minds and spirits. Instead of deprivation and rules, healthy eating
should be viewed as the regular consumption of a wide variety of nourishing,
whole foods, accompanied by positive attitudes toward eating wholesome meals
that together provide us with the ability to rejuvenate and rebuild. However,
with all the differing recommendations in today’s popular dietary trends,
choosing eating habits to help keep you healthy and energized throughout the
year can seem a daunting task riddled with contradictory information.
There is overwhelming evidence that unprocessed foods and
organic fruits and vegetables are a means to better health. Due to the high
nutritional and antioxidant content of many whole foods, this type of diet is
linked with increased antioxidant activity, improved digestion, healthy
inflammation response, healthy glucose metabolism, healthier lipid profiles and
increased immune activity among other benefits. A whole foods diet can help
support your insulin levels and metabolism, as well as support management of
metabolic syndrome or diabetes.
Metabolic Syndrome in the United States is estimated to
affect 32 percent of the population and is characterized by increased waist
circumference, hypertension, elevated fasting glucose levels, and insulin
resistance. People with impaired insulin function are at a greater risk of
developing life-threatening chronic diseases, including heart disease, which is
the number one cause of death in the United States. For more practical
information about the importance of controlling your blood glucose levels,
download a wellness guide at www.dreliaz.org/metabolic-report.
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Other Postings by Isaac Eliaz:
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