Learn how to rely on your body’s unique signals to help you navigate your health.
Collectively, we have fallen out of love with eating. The confusing messages and unrealistic beauty standards have set us way back and food has become a means to an end. It’s high time we go back to basics when it comes to health and weight. Read on for some essential pointers to get you back in touch with your inner wisdom so you can ditch the diet plans and fall back in love with eating.
Unfortunately, our society is fixated on outer appearance – height, weight, stature, pants size – and we have become people who no longer know how to let the body be our guide.
The body was beautifully designed – it works like a well-oiled machine; it heals and repairs itself if given the chance; it communicates with itself millions of times each day to keep you alive.
That being said, don’t you think it’s possible for the body to know what it wants and needs from you? That’s a resounding YES!
The body sends you messages all throughout the day. You feel pain to alert you that something is wrong, sleepy to let you know that it’s time to shut down and give your Mind and body time to rest and repair, and hunger when you are in need of sustenance and nourishment.
But sometimes the messages become confused. They get lost in translation while being filtered through the brain. Hunger is the perfect example of this, and you are not alone if ever you have confused your hunger signals.
What is your body trying to tell you?
It is not uncommon to feel hunger at random times throughout your day, or to have cravings – sometimes very specific cravings – at distinct times. Sometimes these hunger spells and cravings will ebb and flow depending on the moon phase or what you’ve eaten that day. Other times, they show up like regular unannounced guests.
Regardless, the message your body is sending you in times of hunger is almost always not the same message you consciously receive.
A common example is to desire something sweet after eating. A little something to finish off the meal and shut down your appetite. The message comes through in the form of a craving for sugary sweetness, which you might satisfy with dessert, candy, or maybe a piece of gum.
Would you consider the fact that your body is actually asking for more nutrient dense foods when you receive a craving for sweets? It’s true! The body always asks for what it needs, but, because we are human, we confuse the signals and dive head first into a pint of ice cream.
Ready for another? When you have a craving for fried foods, your body is actually asking for healthy fats – Omega 3s, essential fatty acids, they go by many names. When you can’t wait to bite into a juicy steak, you are likely low on protein or possibly heme iron.
The same is true for feelings of hunger that quickly follow a hearty snack or meal. If you are feeling hungry but know that your stomach hasn’t yet emptied, your body might be trying to tell you to drink up. Thirst is often confused for hunger.
In the same scenario, your brain might have missed the memo that you’ve consumed a snack or meal due to eating too quickly. It is calling for more food so it can check off its internal list of sensory stimuli that accompanies every meal.
Learning to decode your body’s specific messages, and practicing eating with awareness as often as possible, will transform your relationship to food beyond measure.
Essentials to keep in mind
If you are looking to heal your relationship to food, body, or weight, this is where the gold really is. You will want to read, and store, these tips for your next snack or mealtime.
- Write things down. Make a note of your sensations throughout the day, both before and after eating. Over time you will begin to notice patterns that are associated, and you can use them to understand your body’s unique signals.
- Show your food some love. Begin paying attention to your meal as if it were a guest at your table. Notice the tastes, textures, colors, and sensations in every bite. You will find yourself more satiated and with fewer post-meal cravings as you practice this one step.
- Slow down and take a deep breath. Literally! Deep breathing before and during a meal will help to increase oxygen to your digestive system, and also put you in a more relaxed state. If you are eating from a more present and relaxed place, your body will thank you with smoother digestion and more energy.
These are some big, but very effective, pointers. Choose one and begin practicing it regularly. Once you begin to feel like you are getting the hang of it, pick up another. Over time you will be able to check in with your body and know exactly what it wants from you.
Here’s to happy eating, my friend! Go on, and be well.
