There are several strategies that you can implement to help give you that little bit extra success. It’s not always about what you eat, it can also be about how you eat it.
TAKE YOUR TIME
What is the rush? Why do we sometimes feel we have to demolish our food in Usain Bolt record breaking time? All this does is ruin your ability to successfully digest the food and creates a very uncomfortable environment within the stomach – leading to stomach pain, bloating and excessive gas. Eating food so fast also encourages us to swallow more air, which leads to increased bloating and stomach distension.
Eating on the go has become a common habit for many of us based on the busy lifestyle we lead, and rushing may at times seem necessary, but understand that it does you no good at all.
CHEW YOUR FOOD EFFICIENTLY
Effective digestion starts in the mouth with chewing, which allows saliva to mix with the food. Amylase and lysozyme are enzymes that are located in our saliva.
Amylase starts the breakdown of starch into smaller carbohydrate units, while lysozyme prevents bacterial growth in the mouth.
Chewing is a vital process to make sure all the nutrients are extracted from our food. What’s the point in eating something nutritious if it is just going to come out of the other end and into the toilet unused?
This isn’t something to get stressed about, you just need to chew your food until you can swallow it without any effort, and you do not want to be making a conscious effort to chew your food. Just chew until your food makes its own way down your throat.
Key message: Do not just breathe in your food; give your digestion process a massive head start. This will prevent any stomach discomfort and allow you to fully absorb the vitamins an d minerals your food provides.
PAY ATTENTION
Why spend time creating a good meal if you’re not going to pay attention whilst you eat it? You will not get to enjoy it, you will not even notice the flavours and there is a good chance you will still be hungry afterwards because you haven’t even realised you’ve just eaten. Pay attention to your food, enjoy every mouthful and make it a part of your day where you can relax.
TURN OFF THE TV
This follows on from paying attention to what you are doing. Re move any distractions like the TV from the environment whenever possible, you don’t need to be watching TV whilst you’re eating.
