Tips For Better Digestion

It is possible to change what, where, when, how and how much we eat.  We can create brand new, healthy habits in our lives no matter how young, old or ingrained we are in our current daily patterns.  Our bodies desire newness and quickly adapt to a new habit.  It all begins with choice.

Eating is not just chewing and filling up our stomachs.  It involves other factors including; mental relaxation, emotional harmony and physical nourishment.  When these components are in place, food is properly digested and assimilated and the body is truly fed.

We look after our prized and valuable possessions; our cars, our homes, our clothes, our entertainment equipment.  We care and maintain these items so that they last us a long time.  But how about our bodies?  How do we choose to take care of the most important thing we will ever be given in this life?  Many of us are not shown how to buy, store and prepare food.  It is not up to a chef at the local restaurant or even our family members to assume this responsibility.  We may not be mechanics but when we buy a car we know to fill it up with the proper fuel and get a regular oil change.  We are not all chefs but it only makes sense that we learn the basics about healthy foods and take the time to learn how to nourish our bodies correctly. Here are some tips for better digestion:

Prepare With Love

Prepare your food in a peaceful environment and with love.  Ever wonder why mom’s or grandma’s food tasted the best?  They put love into it for their families.  Food prepared with distain, anger and frustration may change the nature of your food.  Who is making your meal?

Be Social

Eating with others can be very beneficial if it is about positive sharing, socializing and relaxing.  Tension, arguments and stress this can negatively affect digestion.  In this case, it is better to eat alone in a calming environment.

Take Time To Breathe

Breathe deeply for a moment or two before eating, let your hard working organs prepare themselves for food. 

Focus

Focus on every mouthful; the taste, texture and smell.  Imagine where the food came from and how it got to your plate.

Chew

Chew, chew and chew some more.  This allows for conscious eating and can prevent overeating and wear and tear on the stomach and digestive tract.

Get Variety

Eat a variety of foods and flavors.  This can lesson food sensitivities, allergies and poor digestion. 

Focus On Plants

Use concentrated foods like animal meats, dairy, and eggs as condiments only.  Keep your diet highest in plant based, fresh foods such as fruit, vegetables, whole grains, seeds, nuts and legumes.  This ensures a full spectrum of phytonutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and fibre.  Processed foods and baked goods should be kept as treats only once in a while.

Eat Only When Hungry     

This is a physical feeling, not emotional.  True hunger tells us our body has digested our last meal and is now ready for the next. Your largest meal should be just before your most active part of the day. 

Minimize Sipping

Keep drinking beverages with meals to a sipping minimum.  Too much fluid dilutes our digestive juices, causing insufficient digestion and nutrient assimilation.

Caffene Before, Not After

Drink caffeinated beverages before a meal, not after.  Caffeine (and nicotine) stimulates the stomach to empty its contents prematurely causing undigested food to enter the intestines.  This wreaks havoc on digestion.

Alternate Light And Heavy

If you eat heavy for the evening meal, go lightly in the morning with some fruit or a smoothie.  Conversely, if you eat a light evening meal, a heartier breakfast with whole grains may be best.

Keep It Natural      

Eat in a natural setting if possible away from electronic interference. 

Pick A Spot

Eat sitting still at a designated spot such as the kitchen table, try not to eat anywhere else to avoid unnecessary, high calorie snacking.  Eating anywhere and everywhere, including the car, in front of the TV, in bed or running down the street allows for thoughtless eating where digestion is compromised.

Share      

Share your food with others.

Fill Up On Fiber     

Eat a fiber filled light meal prior to attending a social event to control your appetite and to prevent overeating calorie dense foods. 

Use Your Hands  

Enjoy an Eastern experience; eat your food with chopsticks or, when appropriate, eat with your natural chopsticks - your fingers!  This allows for a very natural and personal food experience that caters to our primal senses. 

Stimulate Your Senses

Nourish your eyes with colour, your nose with wonderful smell, your ears with soft music or nature, and your spirit with the love and friendships of others.  Nourishment is a whole body experience. 

Give Thanks  

Be grateful and give thanks for every meal and ask for it be a blessing and nourishment for your body and soul.

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Diligently apply some of these practices.  Initially, it may be a concentrated effort but in time they can become life long habits that can greatly increase well-being and life enjoyment.