Pay attention to how different foods affect your energy levels from "summary" of The Mindful Diet by Ruth Wolever PhD,Beth Reardon MS,RD,LDN,Tania Hannan
One of the key principles of mindful eating is being aware of how different foods impact your energy levels. By paying attention to how certain foods make you feel, you can better understand which foods give you sustained energy and which ones may cause a crash later on. When you eat mindlessly, you may not notice how certain foods affect your energy levels. You might reach for a sugary snack when you're feeling tired, only to experience a temporary boost followed by a sudden drop in energy. By being more mindful of your choices, you can start to connect the dots between what you eat and how you feel afterward. Keep a journal or make mental notes of how you feel after eating certain foods. Do you feel energized and focused, or do you feel sluggish and tired? Pay attention to patterns and trends - you may start to notice that certain foods consistently leave you feeling drained, while others give you a steady source of energy. Experiment with different foods and pay attention to how they impact your energy levels. You might find that whole, unprocessed foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains give you sustained energy throughout the day, while processed foods high in sugar and refined carbs cause fluctuations in energy levels.- You can make more informed choices about what to eat. This awareness can help you cultivate a way of eating that supports your overall well-being and keeps your energy levels stable throughout the day.