Here it is: Mistake # 5 when it comes to losing weight: You’re Not Digesting Your Food.
But, before I get into this, if you liked these blogs on living your best weight, then the next Transformation Challenge – February 12th- April 21st – might be for you. I’ll be coaching a small group live and possibly remotely too. This is the BEST way to live your healthiest self!!! Reach out for more info or to save your spot.
Now, back to mistake # 5 – the mistake I have mastered quite well. Put a different way – we eat too fast and not the right way.
As you age, natural digestive enzymes and stomach-acid production may decline. This makes breaking down and absorbing nutrients efficiently more difficult. Stress and eating too fast can exacerbate these issues.
Consider using digestive-enzyme supplements to aid digestion and alleviate common discomforts like bloating and gas. These supplements typically contain enzymes like lipase for fat, protease for protein, and amylase for carbohydrates. They may also contain unique digestive enzymes to help break down potential problem foods like gluten and dairy. Ideally, take digestive enzyme supplements about 10-20 minutes before meals.
Another major factor to consider is how you eat. Do you chew too fast, standing up or on the go?
And/or do you guzzle water or worse alcohol while you eat?
If so, you’re not alone! Americans eat fast because we glorify a fast-paced lifestyle. Eating lunch while distracted at your desk shows that you’re a ‘hard worker.’ Eating a granola bar while you’re on your way out the door in the morning proves that you’ve “got a lot on your plate”.
And, as a result, we Americans live with a LOT of digestive issues.
Overall annual expenditures for digestive disease care totaled more than $136 billion (Massachusetts Medical Society). WOW! However, these habits are not internationally practiced, which means that studies have shown that people who take their time eating meals end up eating less, having better digestion, and feel fuller.
Today, how about we all start eating a meal SLOWLY. One way to practice eating slowly is to make each meal a true experience. For example, set a place setting, turn off all technology, and talk about the food you’re eating. Set down your utensils between bites and savor what’s in front of you.
Or try this tip: out loud, after you have chewed and swallowed your food, comment on flavor profiles and explain how the meal was prepared, or how you think it was prepared (yes, you can talk to yourself!).
The trick here is that the more you use your mouth to speak between bites and sips, the less you can quickly shove down your food. Of course, speak up after you have chewed the food at least 20-40 times. 🙂
Remember — digestion starts in your mouth by chewing your food at least 20 times. If you skip this — you leave out a very important part of your digestion process — which can not only prevent you from losing weight, but could also harm your body. Plus — when we don’t chew our food — large chunks make their way to our small and large intestines and take longer to digest creating an unbalanced microbiome. Who wants that!?
Eating slow, sitting down, with multiple chews takes practice and something I find I need to go back to time and time again. That’s OK — we want progress not perfection!
Let’s savor our food and live in the moment in 2024.
For this and MORE of the best most up to date support and information about your fitness and nutrition — join my transformation team, you won’t regret it!
xo,
Christine
nourish. move. meditate.
🥕💪🧘♀️