How many times do you just wolf-down your meal in a mad rush to finish before getting back to work? How many times are you eating out of obligation to just eat? How many times do you see undigested food in your stool? Gross, I know! Do you have food allergies? If you answered “Yes” to any of these questons it is likely you need to retrain yourself in how to eat on purpose.

Maintain regular and consistent mealtimes. It is better to eat five smaller meals than three large meals.

Before eating relax momentarily for 10 seconds, then begin eating. (Blessing your food in prayer – science has shown that this cleans the food, makes it more bio-available, more digestible, and consequently tastes better)

Smell each item on your plate before you take your first bite, like sniffing your wine before drinking, which will awaken the taste centers in your brain. Your food will magically have more flavors if you do this simple action.

Pay attention to what you are eating. Chew until each bite is smooth and easily swallowed. Seek to feel the energy and taste the subtle flavors of the food. If you have food allergies and/or see undigested food in your BM then you definitely are not chewing your food well enough before swallowing. No food should be swallowed whole.

Force yourself to slow down, this will aid digestion and appetite satisfaction. Eating should not be a chore. Many times food is eaten without much awareness to what is eaten, much like driving a car for miles and suddenly realizing you don’t recall anything about the journey.

Eating by candlelight and calming music can assist in setting a relaxing tone to the evening meal.

Avoid alternating between hot and cold foods on a frequent basis.

Eat most of your daily protein in the morning or at lunch time (Stomach acid is highest early in the day which allows for better digestion of proteins…the bi-product of incomplete protein digestion is called nitrosamines and are very carcinogenic).

Drink body temperature, purified water (a minimum of 8, eight-ounce glasses per day). Cold water requires more work by your body to bring it up to body temperature. This can be a problem when so many people now adays are suffering from low body temperature. Don’t drink tap water as it often contains herbicides, pesticides, chlorine, fluoride, and other chemicals. Do not drink much during the meal as this dilutes the stomach digestive juices. Do not drink over a gallon per day.

Of these, what is your most practiced step? What is the one that you want to make sure an implement?

Written by Dr. David Jernigan