3 ways mindful eating supports gut health
When it comes to gut health, not only does it matter what you eat, but how you eat.
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Mindful eating is the practice of intentionally experiencing your mealtime.
That means noticing the taste and texture of your food, your hunger cues, and your thoughts related to your meal. Mindful eating asks you to slow down, put away the electronics and be present – making it a perfect remedy to a go-go-go lifestyle.
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But wait, there’s more! Mindful eating can also reduce digestive discomfort. Here’s how:
Enhancing Digestive Enzymes: The act of digestion starts in the mouth. Enzymes in your saliva and the mechanical action of chewing start to break down food, preparing it for the next phase of digestion in your stomach. Plus, the smaller the food particles, the better nutrients are absorbed. Chewing also stimulates your GI tract to let it know that food is on the way. This triggers more enzyme and acid secretion to support a pain-free digestive process.
Parasympathetic Activity: The autonomous nervous system is either in fight-or-flight (sympathetic) or rest-and-digest (parasympathetic) – more on that here. As you may have guessed, we want to be in the latter state when digesting a meal. This ensures blood flow to the GI tract and properly working digestive processes. Mindfulness and presence is a primary way to shift into a parasympathetic state.
Reduced Overeating: When eating too quickly, your stomach doesn’t have time to tell your brain it’s full until it’s nearly bursting. Eating slowly and savoring your meal allows you to recognize your hunger and fullness cues, and stop eating at the appropriate time. This reduces bloating, indigestion, and that feeling that you’ll never button your pants again.
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So, what’s there to do? Stay tuned for more.
