The Power of Mindset: Our Thoughts of the Foods We Eat Shapes Our Health

In today's fast-paced world, the pursuit of health has become a top priority for many individuals. We find ourselves bombarded with countless diet plans, superfoods, and fitness trends promising miraculous results. While proper nutrition and physical activity are undoubtedly crucial components of a healthy lifestyle, there is one often overlooked factor that reigns supreme: our mindset about food. Our perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs regarding what we eat can significantly impact our overall well-being, shaping not only our physical health, mental, and emotional states, but additionally will affect how we digest the foods as well. In this article, we will explore the profound influence of our mindset on our relationship with food and how it ultimately determines our long-term health outcomes.

The Mind-Body Connection:?To comprehend the significance of our mindset, it is imperative to acknowledge the intricate link between the mind and body. Scientific studies have consistently demonstrated that our thoughts, emotions, and beliefs profoundly impact our physiological functions. Simply put, thoughts become things. The field of psychoneuroimmunology, for instance, has revealed the profound interplay between our mental states and immune system functioning. Thus, it is not surprising that our mindset about food, as an integral aspect of our daily lives, can exert a powerful influence on our health.

The Perception of Food:?The way we view and perceive food extends far beyond its nutritional content. Our mindset governs how we approach eating, our relationship with food, and the choices we make. If we value food as a source of nourishment and energy, we are more likely to make mindful, wholesome choices. This positive mindset allows us to enjoy, seek out and prioritize the consumptions of food in as natural a state as possible.

Conversely, a negative mindset marked by guilt, deprivation, or emotional eating can lead to poor dietary habits and adverse health consequences. Do you buy into the notion that eating healthy is boring, lacks taste and is too expensive??This mindset is marketed to us daily to get us to believe that 'cravings' will lead us to food enjoyment, which ultimately leads us to processed and fast food choices.?What isn't marketed to us are the statistics that show consumption of processed foods, cane-, and corn- sugars cause high levels of inflammation. High inflammation leads to dis-ease and the development of autoimmune disease. Basically stated, we give our immune system and digestive systems too much work and then our bodies begin to break down.

Here are a few excerpts that support this;

"Processed foods are generally thought to be inferior to unprocessed foods. They may bring to mind a packaged food item containing many ingredients, perhaps even artificial colors, flavors, or other chemical additives. Often referred to as convenience or pre-prepared foods, processed foods are suggested to be a contributor to the obesity epidemic and rising prevalence of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. "?Processed Foods and Health

'In the American diet, the top sources are soft drinks, fruit drinks, flavored yogurts, cereals, cookies, cakes, candy, and most?processed foods. But added sugar is also present in items that you may not think of as sweetened, like soups, bread, cured meats, and ketchup.?The result: we consume way too much added sugar. Adult men take in an average of 24 teaspoons of added sugar per day, according to the National Cancer Institute. That's equal to 384 calories.?"Excess sugar's impact on obesity and diabetes is well documented, but one area that may surprise many men is how their taste for sugar can have a serious impact on their heart health," says Dr. Frank Hu, professor of nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.'?The sweet danger of sugar, Harvard Health

"High fructose corn syrup has crept into more of our foods over the last few decades. Compared?with?regular sugar, it’s cheaper and sweeter, and is more quickly absorbed into your body. But eating too much high fructose corn syrup can lead to insulin resistance,?obesity,?Type 2 diabetes?and high blood pressure.?Avoid the Hidden Dangers of High Fructose Corn Syrup,?Cleveland Clinic

By developing a realistic view point and cultivating a positive mindset towards food, we empower ourselves to make conscious decisions that support our well-being.

The Role of Mindful Eating:?Mindful eating is a practice that exemplifies the power of mindset in relation to food. By fostering a non-judgmental awareness of our eating experience, we can transform our relationship with food and enhance our overall health. Be your own best friend with foods.

Mindful eating encourages us to savor each bite, listen to our body's cues of hunger and fullness, and make deliberate choices aligned with our nutritional needs. This mindful approach promotes a sense of satisfaction, reduces overeating, and helps us establish a harmonious connection with food.

In the absence of this focus we all too often eat too quickly for our brains to register that we are satisfied.?This is how we become stuffed, which is counter-productive to optimal health.

Stress, Emotional Well-being, and Eating Habits:?Our mindset about food also intertwines with our emotional well-being and stress levels. Stress, anxiety, and other negative emotions can profoundly influence our eating habits, often leading to emotional eating or unhealthy coping mechanisms.

Stress is often when we turn our focus from the present (now) to either the past and negative experiences we have had, or conversely to the future, where we are imagining all kinds of negative scenarios.?In the case of foods, do you have a FOMO (fear of missing out) mindset, where food is the prize or reward? The blood sugar rollercoaster works in conjunction with this and mentally you can feel like you 'have to eat something to pick you up' or you will not be able to function properly.?If you have felt this way, try to see this another way.?Who or what is in charge of you? ... The foods you eat or you??When did you give over control of your mind?

By developing a positive mindset and adopting stress-management techniques, such as mindfulness, meditation, or exercise, we can mitigate these negative effects and foster a healthier relationship with food.

The Power of Self-Talk and Positive Affirmations:?The language we use when discussing food and our bodies can significantly impact our mindset. The words/conversation in our own heads will determine what we see, feel and experience. Negative self-talk, self-criticism, and unrealistic expectations can sabotage our efforts to cultivate a healthy relationship with food. Instead, embracing positive affirmations and compassionate self-talk can help reframe our mindset and foster self-acceptance.

You can change the conversation in your head. It will take some work, but is totally do-able. Begin by speaking to yourself the change you want to achieve.?It may seem strange at first, but I encourage you to give it time. By cultivating self-compassion, we create a supportive environment that enables us to make sustainable, positive changes in our dietary habits and overall health.

In conclusion, while nutrition and physical activity are undoubtedly essential, our mindset about food emerges as the cornerstone of holistic health. By recognizing the power of our thoughts and beliefs, we can reshape our relationship with food, nourishing not only our bodies but also our minds and souls. Cultivating a positive mindset, practicing mindful eating, managing stress, and promoting self-compassion are vital steps towards achieving long-lasting health and well-being. Let us embrace the transformative potential of our mindset and harness it to create a vibrant and balanced life through our approach to food.

Want to learn more, or to be a part of a community where we encourage, educate and lift each other up to make positive food choices our norm??A Place At The Table Global Community?is a place where people from all over the world can learn from each other, engage in real conversations about issues and access to clean foods, take part in workshops, courses and seminars that peel back the cleaver marketing to get to the truth about the foods we are surrounded with in grocery stores and online today.

Make today the first day of the rest of your healthy life.?Sign up?here.

?Anne Ravanona TheWMarketplace Grain Free Mama's

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