![\"zd3bqt4uqo8hligbednislshp699n0bqfs64xpf13il6qvfp.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=auto\"](\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/zd3bqt4uqo8hligbednislshp699n0bqfs64xpf13il6qvfp.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=auto\")
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What and how we eat have an impact on digestion and gut health.<\/p>
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Cultivating healthy eating habits helps support your body and it\u2019s own natural ability to digest and do the work it needs to do and do it well!<\/p>
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Challenge yourself to choose just one 'Healthy Habit' from the list below and implement into your daily routine.<\/span><\/p> <\/p> You can start today or tomorrow and if you fall off the wagon don\u2019t give up - get back on that health habit later that day or start again the next day. Taking a moment to understand why you fell off the wagon can be helpful. Sometimes it\u2019s because of a lack of time or not enjoying the process. Whatever the reason you can adjust, change, pivot to a different way of doing things.<\/span> <\/p> EATING HABITS<\/span><\/strong> <\/p>
Go with what you feel intuitively drawn to:<\/span><\/p>
<\/span>1. Sit down for meals<\/span><\/strong>
All to often we eat on the go. Whether you are grabbing lunch on the run or sitting working and eating at your desk, or shovelling the food into your mouth to get to your next appointment or activity, which doesn't lend itself to healthy digestion of food. If the body is stressed whilst eating, it can't properly digest the food. Challenge yourself to make eating a healthy ritual, mindfully stopping to eat. Lay the\u00a0table and put some of your favourite music on. Make it sociable and sit with family or friends to eat. When possible draw it out and take your time over eating. Be present with the ritual of sitting down to eat and really\u00a0enjoy every mouthful. This is for anyone who wants to support their gut health.
<\/span>2. Slow down eating to support digestion<\/span><\/strong>
A lot of us eat like we're in a race to finish. Digestion actually starts in the mouth with our saliva. It's like liquid gold, helping to breakdown our food. Of course the digestion process continues far into the body and into the gut, but each stage should support each other. Really chew your food (count how many times you can chew it for). Savour the flavour and enjoy eating. This is for anyone who wants to support gut health.
<\/span>3. Increase your veggies<\/span><\/strong>
Don't be afraid to increase the amount or quantity of vegetables on your plate. Try and include at least one vegetable in every meal. Spinach with breakfast, or a salad or homemade vegetable soup for lunch, or a vegetable stir fry for dinner. Make vegetables the main star of your meals and everything else a smaller portion. If you have constipation or gut issues this is one for you.
<\/span>4. Carry a water bottle EVERYWHERE!<\/span><\/strong>
Our bodies are made from 70% water. We are excreting water from our bodies every time we go to the loo, speak, breathe or sweat. So we are losing water from our bodies of every moment of the day, therefore we need to be mindful to replenish it. We are all different but I recommend 2-3 litres of water per day. If you suffer with urinary infections this is a must for you. To help keep you on track with your water intake carry a water bottle everywhere with you so you can take a sip every so often. If you are worried about wanting to wee in the night from drinking so much water in the day, make sure you get your main water intake in the morning.
<\/span>\u00a05. Express gratitude daily<\/span><\/strong>
When sitting down to a meal, give thanks for the food that is on your plate. A common practice is to sit for a moment, feeling deep gratitude for your food, and then placing your hands above your food for a moment for the exchange of energy from your hands to the food of love and gratitude.\u00a0<\/span>
6. Reduce\/ eliminate Sugar<\/strong>
A very small amount of sugar is OK. But excessive amounts can be hugely detrimental to our bodies and health. Sugar causes inflammation in the body. Do you grab a sugary snack in the afternoon to help ward off that afternoon slump? Do you have sugar in tea or coffee and how many of those are you having a day? Do you eat a lot of processed food? Start simple and look to reduce a regular sugar habit you have. For example swop the sugary snack for fruit, nuts etc. You may want to do cold turkey or swop it out every other day to start with. This is for anyone who is wanting to lose weight, or suffers with an inflammatory illness.<\/span><\/p>