Written by: Jules Francis, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
As anyone who has suffered with illness knows, good health is the foundation for every other wonderful thing we could want in life: relationships, careers, wealth, happiness, and so much more.
And to achieve good health, there are many things in life that we as humans simply can’t do without.
One is oxygen, another is clean drinking water and the third is food.
Would you agree that eating is an essential part of your life?
As you know, we cannot sustain life for long without eating, so it is an important relationship that we need to take the time to learn how to do well to have the best outcome.
Our views of eating and the eating practices we adopt will affect our lives and our health in significant ways in the months and years ahead and some of us never question these practices until we are forced to by health issues.
Fundamentally though, eating well can literally change everything.
Having supported numerous people who have challenges with food and eating, the common ground is that they find it difficult to sustain good choices and keep a healthy balance.
They end up eating too little or too much which then has consequences on their health and wellbeing.
Because eating is associated with most kinds of social activities and events, people learn to eat for reasons other than to satisfy hunger or prolong their health. Eating becomes a way to experience pleasure or sometimes for some, to numb painful emotions.
For those that struggle with eating too little or with indulging on food too much, they have stopped nourishing themselves with food in ways that is healthy and invigorating.
Anytime eating is neglected or indulged in beyond what is necessary, problems can eventually occur. Whilst eating is meant to bring people pleasure and satisfaction, it is primarily a means of sustaining a healthy life.
Does eating bring you pleasure? Or is food too much of a high priority in your daily thoughts?
If you catch yourself thinking about food a lot, whether that’s consuming it or restraining yourself from it, a healthy relationship with food might be compromised.
The key to a healthy relationship with food is to keep perspective and balance.
Here are some simple steps to becoming an intuitive eater which would help to improve your relationship with food.
Ask yourself how hungry you are before eating. Then ask yourself what you are in the mood for – light, spicy, chewy, fruity. Then consider what you have already consumed that day and what you might be eating later. Based on your answers, take your time to decide what to eat.
Stay connected to your appetite even when you are eating. Many people recognise they might be full yet carry on eating. Others eat regardless of whether they are hungry for food. Savour each mouthful and keep tuned in to your body.
Choose food based on your needs, not those of your friends or the people who cooked it for you. If you’re not in the mood for certain food, you don’t need to eat it.
Recognising when you are full and satisfied is a great sign. It means the meal is complete and it’s time to move on. It is also a sign of your digestive system working well.
Enjoy your meals distraction free and savour the flavours, colours, textures. Notice what aspect of the meal you are particularly enjoying and how your surroundings add to the experience.
How do you feel when you read these tips? Notice if you feel anxious about other people eating when you stop. Or what it might feel like to stop eating, even if there is food left on your plate.
If you can relate to any of these issues or have challenges that you feel ready to resolve, do get in touch and let’s explore what the root of this could be and how this can be transformed.
Jules Francis, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Jules Francis is the go-to expert for career-driven women who are looking to transform their relationship with food.
She has helped hundreds of people from all walks of life to help them understand the underlying causes of why they have unhealthy eating behaviours.
With three decades of experience, Jules has the insight and experience to see what truly underpins low confidence and how people often choose to compensate behaviors for dealing with it.
Jules is a multi-award-winning health coach, co-author of 2 best-selling books, and creator of 2 online courses, The Food Breakthrough Academy and The Reset Button.
