This looks to be a simple question but the answer is not always simple. Are you eating because it is meal time or because a colleague offered a piece of cake or because you are having a bad day in the office? Do you ever stop for a moment to think mindfully if you are really hungry or not?
In today's world, majority of the people lost the sense of hunger and stopped making conscious decisions around eating.
One main reason for that is the working schedule which programs people to have breakfast, lunch and dinner at pre-defined times of the day. When you have 45 minutes of lunch break and you know that this will be your only chance to eat something until evening, you have your meal at that time regardless of your hunger level.
Another reason is that there is extreme amount of food available to us any time any where. There are biscuits in the coffee room, packed snacks in vending machines, candies at the hotel reception, the sandwich offered in the aircraft, etc. Those small bites never let us be completely hungry.
But what's wrong with eating when we are not hungry and/or continuously? Eating without hunger or continuously throughout the day can disrupt our body's natural signals and lead to several issues:
Loss of Body’s Hunger and Satiety Cues: When we eat based on the clock or just because food is available, we lose touch with the body's natural hunger and fullness signals. Over time, this can make it harder to recognize when we are truly hungry or full, leading to overeating or eating out of habit rather than necessity.
Digestive Strain: Constant snacking or eating without allowing time for proper digestion can overload the digestive system. Our bodies need time between meals to rest and process food. Continuous eating doesn't allow this, which can lead to bloating, discomfort, or sluggishness.
Weight Gain: Eating when not hungry, especially with easy access to high-calorie, processed foods, can lead to excessive calorie intake. Over time, this may contribute to unwanted weight gain and other related health issues like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Emotional Eating: Many people eat in response to emotions like stress, boredom, or sadness rather than hunger. This type of eating can create an unhealthy relationship with food, where it's used as a coping mechanism rather than for nourishment.
Nutrient Imbalance: When eating becomes habitual or mindless, we may consume more processed, low-nutrient foods. This can lead to nutrient deficiencies, as we’re not paying attention to what our bodies actually need in terms of vitamins, minerals, and overall nourishment.
Eating mindfully, by tuning into your hunger and fullness signals, can help you develop a more balanced and healthy relationship with food. It encourages you to ask yourself, "Am I really hungry, or am I just eating out of habit, convenience, or emotion?" This awareness is key to making conscious decisions about when, what, and how much to eat.
Wishing you strength, resilience, and all the best on your journey toward better health. Remember, every small step counts!
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