One Simple Mindset Shift to Support Deeper Lifelong Wellness
Plus, 11 easy and accessible ways to support the change.
A subtle yet powerful shift occurs when you start to view food as a deep source of body nourishment. When we ask ourselves questions like, ‘How will this ____ make me feel in 30 minutes?‘ or ‘Does this ____ give my vital organs the vitamins they need?’, we spark a deeper connection with the sustenance that moves us forward. From there, our diets become less about consuming whatever is within reach and more about reflecting how we want to feel and live.
Think about the last time you thought intentionally about something you were about to eat. Maybe it was a piece of fresh fruit or a sizzling steak. Knowing the abundant nutrients in these foods and how your personal constitution responds to them is a powerful and emboldening feeling. You don’t worry about outdated fears like “fat content” or “caloric intake” and instead focus on the truth: that food is the most personal, intimate, and impactful way we care for ourselves, so it’s critical we give it our full attention.
What’s beautiful about making the shift toward thinking about food as deep body nourishment is how it has a domino effect through the rest of our lives. Mindfulness around what nourishes us extends to how we feed our kids. We lead by example, showing little ones and other family members and friends that intentional eating is about self-worth and a life well-lived.
Focusing on body nourishment is an act that also offers a vetting exercise (whether we realized it or not). When we consider what will deeply feed our organs, muscles, and spirit, we tend to reach for fresh greens over boxes of crackers and crave home-cooked hearty stew instead of the grab-and-go canned soup. We begin to choose to lean into the foods that may require more time, thought, and money—even if we face the constraints of time and budget. The benefits of eating this way are too rich to ignore.
When it comes to eating, every one of us takes a personal approach. From food cravings to appetite levels to sensitivities to religious traditions to familial habits, many factors influence what you choose—and this is an individual and beautiful truth. It underscores why what you eat is a celebration of your life.
That said, too many of us have lost our inner compass and eat in fast or reactive ways. In turn, we embody a fearful attitude toward eating, consuming what is fast, cheap, easy, on trend, or simply available. But when we take a mindful pause and think deeply about the reasons behind why we must eat, which is to give us the ability to live, we begin to unravel conditioned habits and feel strong, healthy, and empowered.
You begin to choose what is right for you.
Below are nine ways to build healthy eating habits that support a deep body nourishment mindset. Each one is a combination of science-backed principles and basic guidance to help support your eating choices.
Always remember to first listen to your heart (and gut!). Take these tips at your own pace, because only you know what your body truly needs.