Last Thanksgiving I was in the middle of a personal nutrition challenge for myself. Initially I was bummed out because I LOVE Thanksgiving and all the food that comes with it. My initial feelings were that this was going to put a damper on the day for me.
You might be thinking to yourself, "why are you talking about Thanksgiving in April?" Fair enough! The reason is because this experience taught me an important lesson in terms of eating mindfully.
If you've worked with us at all on nutrition, you know that when you work with us, we don't remove anything from your diet. We teach you how to incorporate those foods in a healthy way. The big thing there is portion control.
Even though I was in the middle of a nutrition challenge, I didn't avoid any food on thisThanksgiving, I simply controlled my portions and stayed within my macronutrient targets for the day.
Knowing that I didn't have an unlimited amount of food to eat (like on every other Thanksgiving), it forced me to slow down and really savor every bite. I found myself setting my fork down in-between bites, taking my time to chew my food and appreciate all of the flavors. I was surprised as to how much more enjoyable the meal actually was! I was 100% satisfied, and didn't feel like my stomach was going to explode from eating too much.
If you're eating your meals while scrolling through your phone or watching shows, you may not be aware of how fast you're eating and how much you're eating. Have you ever had those moments where you look down at your plate excited for the next bite and realize it's all gone? I know I have, and this is because I wasn't eating mindfully.
During your next meal I challenge you to:
1). Portion out your food with a good balance of macronutrients (protein, fat and carbs)
2). Turn off all devices or set them in another room
3). Set your fork down with every bite, and focus on the flavors of the food.
You might be surprised as to how much of a better experience this next meal will be for you, and feel great that this is a much healthier approach to eating.
Have a great one!
