Connect with your body's natural hunger cues from "summary" of The Mindful Diet by Ruth Wolever PhD,Beth Reardon MS,RD,LDN,Tania Hannan
To truly understand and embrace the concept of connecting with your body's natural hunger cues, it is important to become more attuned to the signals that your body is sending you. This means paying attention to physical feelings of hunger, such as a growling stomach or low energy levels, as well as emotional cues like feeling irritable or anxious. By tuning into these cues, you can learn to differentiate between true physical hunger and other triggers that may be prompting you to eat, such as stress, boredom, or social influences.
One key aspect of connecting with your body's natural hunger cues is learning to eat mindfully. This means being fully present and engaged during meals, focusing on the taste, texture, and aroma of your food, and paying attention to your body's signals of fullness. By eating mindfully, you can slow down the eating process, allowing yourself to savor each bite and better recognize when you are satisfied.
It is also important to cultivate a sense of self-compassion and non-judgment when it comes to your eating habits. Rather than approaching food with a mindset of restriction or guilt, try to adopt an attitude of curiosity and kindness towards yourself. This can help you to better understand your body's needs and responses, and to make choices that align with your overall well-being.
In addition to mindfulness and self-compassion, another important aspect of connecting with your body's natural hunger cues is building a supportive environment that encourages healthy eating habits. This may involve surrounding yourself with nutritious foods, finding ways to prepare and enjoy meals that are both satisfying and nourishing, and seeking out social support from friends, family, or a community of like-minded individuals.
By embracing these principles and practices, you can begin to develop a more harmonious relationship with food and your body, allowing you to honor your natural hunger cues and make choices that support your health and well-being. Through mindfulness, self-compassion, and a supportive environment, you can cultivate a greater sense of awareness and connection with your body's needs, leading to a more balanced and fulfilling approach to eating.
