So you're thinking "How to Eat? Of course I know how to eat. Every human being does." Sadly, this is not true. Our culture has distorted the innate act of eating sensibly by its overwhelming abundance of food. Sure, the presence of a culture that is sufficient and advanced enough to feed all of its citizens three times what they actually need is comforting, but along with that comes obesity and disease. Here are some tips and secrets to eating properly and maintaining a healthy body:
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Know what being hungry feels like: This takes some practice. Know that being hungry is a feeling of needing food, any food, in the pit of your stomach. It is not your mind thinking about what it wishes you could eat. When you know you are truly hungry, recognize what this feels like and remember it so that you can recognize it in the future.
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Have many small meals, rather than a few big ones: Nutritionists point out again and again that this is a better, healthier way to eat. In general, it is considered healthier to eat five meals a day than three. This is because it keeps your body in the digesting-food mode. In scientific terms, it keeps your metabolism up. Think about it, if you've eaten barely anything all day, your metabolism will be slowed way down, then when you finally do eat, your metabolism will be so slow that your body won't be using it and digesting it efficiently.
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Eat at fixed times: As far as possible, take your main meal at the solar midday, when the sun is highest, because that's when your digestive power is strongest. Wait at least three hours after a light meal and five after a heavy meal before eating again. Eating at fixed times without snacking between meals helps make the mind and tongue peaceful.
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Eat slowly and chew properly: When you eat slowly and chew properly, you can enjoy the taste and eat less food. Eating slowly is important because our body has a signaling system which tells the brain if it is full. However, eating quickly will disrupt this mechanism and you may overeat.
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Go for small servings: Start with smaller portions of food and go for additional servings if needed. In this way, you would be able to choose if you need additional servings. Smaller portions also enable you to eat less by giving you an impression that you are eating more food.
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Eat moderately: Vitality and strength depend not on how much we eat, but on how much we are able to digest and absorb into our system. The stomach needs working space, so instead of filling it completely, fill it just halfway, by eating only half as much as you think you can, and leave a fourth of the space for liquids and the other fourth for air. You'll help your digestion and get more pleasure from eating. Moderate eating will also give satisfaction to your mind and harmony to your body. Overeating makes the mind agitated or dull and the body heavy and tired.
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Concentrate on eating: While you're eating, don't get distracted with that latest page-turner of a novel, or a magazine of new gadgets. It's all to easy to stuff food in without really noticing that you've eaten it and you'll end up feeling unsatisfied and wanting more.
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Avoid eating in front of television or computer: When you eat while doing other activities, you may eat more food without realizing. Hence, avoid eating in front of television or computer, so that you can focus and enjoy the food you are eating.
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Drink lots of water every day. This is very important. You may think you are hungry and you are really just thirsty. It also makes your liver a lot happier. Try added a slice of lemon, lime, or orange to your water for a great taste!
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Eat with your partner or friend: The best way to eat is with another person: you can chat whilst eating, which helps to make your meal last longer, and makes it more of a break in your busy day. Sharing food together is a great way to get closer to a friend.
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Try an occasional fast: According to the Ayurveda, fasting strengthens both will power and bodily health. An occasional fast gives the digestive system a rest and refreshes the senses, mind, and consciousness.
What NOT to do?
Here are some bad eating habits that you'll want to break:
- Eating whilst standing up: This is an eating no-no. You won't register that you've eaten and it won't satisfy you.
- Eating too fast: Digestion begins in the mouth, when you chew your food. Bolting it down is likely to give you stomach-ache. Plus, since it takes about 20 minutes for the stomach to register a feeling of fullness, you're more likely to overeat if you go too quickly.
- Snacking while watching television: This is a bad habit to get into because you'll start associating "watching TV" with "having a snack" even when you've just eaten a meal.
- Eating at your desk: Take a proper lunch-break and get away from work for the sake of your mind as well as your body.
In addition to basic nutritional needs, many of us have individual health needs that must be addressed in order to really eat healthy. Be aware of any insufficiencies or special risks that you may have and supplement your diet accordingly.
