The following blog post is from one of my fav author friends, Micah Joel Dubinko, who has just written a great book that I know will help you and your desire to lead a productive lifestyle. Take it away Micah!
I have lots of opinions on things, but some of my strongest opinions are about food. I’m a well-known anti-vegetarian, which is to say someone known for actively avoiding eating green things.
For example, I still have crisp memories of sitting in my elementary school cafeteria, long after all the other kids had gone out to recess, a stern teacher watching over me. “Just eat one green bean and you can go,” was the ultimatum, which held no sway over me at all.
I remained steadfast, until the bell rung marking the start of afternoon classes, after which I was free to return to my day.
Anyway, I’ve learned a lot more about myself since then, and come to appreciate just how much effect what we eat has on our mood, disposition, outlook, and even mental health. Even so, it’s been a struggle for me to hammer my diet into a healthier shape.
We Are What We Eat
Busy lifestyles and modern conveniences don’t make this easy. I constantly need to remind myself that it doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. Making small changes can add up over time.
As I did research for my book
Have you ever heard someone use the expression ‘trust your gut’?
That’s not just a saying. Running through our digestive system is basically a second nervous system, full of connections to other body systems. This is called the Enteric Nervous System. Because of this, I’ve come to believe that we can develop a closer relationship with our food–different nutrients introduce subtle feelings that we can become attuned to.
But only if we limit things like refined sugars. The “sugar high” is such a powerful sensation that it overwhelms less blatant signals.
You and Your Meals
One rewarding thing anyone can try is to savor the next meal.
I don’t know about you, but I always seem to be rushed around meal times. But for your next meal, pay attention to your food. Savor every nuance of the flavor, and how it evolves as you chew it.
Reflect on other sensations besides taste. How does what you’re eating at the moment make you feel? Even after the meal, minutes, or hours later, check in and see how you feel.
For example, imagine wolfing down 300 calories of pure carbs for breakfast (in other words, one bagel). How does that leave you feeling for the rest of the morning? Are you hungrier by lunch time?
Imagine some other food sensations. What if you had a raw apple instead of that bagel?
How Well Are You Eating?
Our bodies give us lots of information about how well we’re eating, if only we were to pay attention.
So listen to your gut. Let it tell you what you should eat.
Once you start backing away from highly-processed foods, you might find your cravings for sugar and other unhealthy things diminished. And you’ll be eating better and enjoying it more.
And your mental health and well-being will thank you for it too.
This information is adapted from my book: Winning at Life (even when you feel like ?). Go check it out on Amazon, and grab a FREE mini-lesson from the book at http://winningatlife.xyz/free
