I’ve heard people say that digestion begins with your eyes, when you look at your food.
I’ve heard people say that digestion begins in your mouth, when you start chewing.
Digestion actually begins in your mind, when you start thinking about your next meal or snack.
If it’s a sad salad you think you “should” eat, or a bland combo of chicken and vegetables you’re eating to “be good,” your body turns off.
You are not excited. You wilt a little inside.
When it’s a beautiful plate of delicious, nourishing food you love, your body turns on.
Your mouth begins to water, and your digestive enzymes start flowing in anticipation of this delicious meal you actually want to eat. That your whole body is excited for.
Then what happens?
You digest your food 1000 times better… versus the sad salad that gets stuck in your stomach because your body did not want it.
Your mouth was not watering. Your digestive enzymes were meh – present but not at full capacity.
This is why eating food you love and enjoying it is key to great digestion, metabolism, mood, and energy.
And these pieces are key to healing your relationship with food and your body, and mastering intuitive eating while meeting your health and body goals.
You don’t have to become a top chef or pro meal prepper tomorrow, but I want to invite you to…
- Start choosing more of the foods you love.
- Add the seasonings you love.
- Sit down in a beautiful environment whenever possible.
- Take the time to chew, pause, and breathe through meals.
This is a huge piece of optimizing your digestion and getting your metabolism back without restricting yourself.
Here’s the thing: Digestion is metabolism – the rate at which you break down and utilize your food.
When you eat foods you love, your body digests and assimilates all the nutrients much more easily.
You are worth the preparation. You are worth the time.
You are worth the care. You are worth the love.
How you nourish yourself sets the tone for your entire life.
Choose foods you love, enjoy the experience of eating, and honor the privilege of being able to nourish your body.
Allow your experience of food and your body to be as pleasurable as possible, knowing that pleasure is key to health.
Do you find yourself eating the foods you think you should eat, or the foods you genuinely want?
I’d love to hear from you below.
XO,
Lula