From Breakfast to Barbecue a Personal Journey Toward Mindful Eating

Like many growing up in South Africa, I didn’t think much about what went on my plate, as meals were built around what was available and affordable. The first time I started to think about what I eat was when I lived abroad, working in Germany and found a different breakfast choice than to what I was used to eating at breakfast in South Africa. ?

Later, moving to the UK, I noticed a distinct difference in the taste of food compared to what I grew up eating. However, my approach to food didn’t truly change until I came across the books Ultra-Processed People by Dr. Chris van Tulleken and Eat Right 4 Your Type by Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo. These books taught me that food is about much more than just nutrition, it’s a blend of culture, history, and personal choice.

In contrast, traveling and visiting developed countries in Europe, I noticed how breakfast is often a rushed affair with instant oats, cereal, or a quick smoothie grabbed on the way out the door. This shift towards convenience reflects how modern lifestyles and the food industry prioritise speed over nourishment.

Some personal experiences I noticed was in Italy, where I’m able to eat bread and pizza without having any heartburn, contrasted to the UK where I’m guaranteed to have heartburn when I eat pizza or bread. Another major difference in food is the Brazilin, (churrasco) ”barbecues” with high-quality cuts of beef, pork, and chicken or a South African, braai ”barbecues” celebrated whole cuts like lamb chops, steaks, and chicken, opposed to an English UK barbecue culture that leane towards convenience, with burgers and sausages easy to prepare, cook, and serve.

Each of these traditions tells a story about what people value in their meals, convenience, community, or sustenance. But what struck me most is how little thought we often give to these choices. We’ve been shaped by what’s easy, what’s marketed, or what’s culturally expected without asking whether it’s what’s best for us.

Reading these books made me more interested in healthy food and paying attention to what I eat. Trying to incorporate more fresh, minimally processed ingredients, home-cooked option that into my daily diet that fits with any time constraints that day and my budget. Like in life, the more curious and thoughtful we are, the better decisions we can make. Therefore, I’ve added being more mindful about eating, learning about food, and healthy lifestyle changes into my personal continues learning plan, so I can continue to evolve one meal at a time.