THE BELLY RULES THE MIND

The new age mantra is good food is a good mood. People associate and celebrate every occasion with food. In this era of mindless eating, are we doing justice to our bodies? Many people engage in emotional eating. Overeating, or eating throughout the day, is detrimental to health. All living organisms need rest— even internal organs require downtime—to function at their best. Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper. The quantity and the quality of the food we consume should be based on our bodily requirements and physical activities. Any nibbling or munching in between meals creates various health anomalies. Our body works like a machine. If the machine keeps on working without any rest, it will lose its efficiency. As there will be no time for maintenance and servicing. Mindful eating is the best way to keep our bodies healthy and active. Overeating, nibbling and eating between meals adversely affect our digestive system and the execratory system. We need to be cautious about what we are consuming. What goes inside will reflect outside. Our body organs are replaced with what we eat. If we keep on eating the whole day can we perform to the best of our ability? When we eat too much, our bodies use a great deal of energy in the digestion process. Overconsumption of food makes us more lethargic. It also prevents us from performing our best.

There are a few points which can enable us to be more healthy, energetic and exuberant:
1. Before going to bed our food should digest. After eating, our bodies need time to process the food we have eaten. It is best to wait at least two or three hours before going to sleep after a meal.

2. We must avoid eating preserved food as it is full of chemicals and not good for the body at all. It does not provide the body with the nutrients it needs. This lack of nutrients can cause physical problems in the body.

3. It is always best to eat fresh food. Overcooking food can destroy its nutritional value. It is better to consume a wellbalanced diet. Consuming raw food like salad is healthier than gorging on junk food.

4. If we eat the food as soon as it is cooked, it is a healthier option. If we delay consumption, it won't nurture our system in the best possible way. We must eat food that gets easily digested into the system. The more easily the food gets digested more beneficial it is for the system.

5. The duration for which food stays in our body plays a very crucial role in determining our health. The longer the food stays in our system more damage it causes and weakens the system. Easily digestible foods that are eliminated faster help in maintaining an active, healthy body that is well prepared for future challenges.

6. It is a good idea to eat locally grown fruits and vegetables. They are more beneficial for our bodies. They are in perfect alignment with nature. They can meet the nutritional requirement of the body. The nutritional requirements of our body change with the geographical location and the seasons. It is best to consume locally grown seasonal fruits and vegetables.

7. Fasting is one of the well-proven ways to boost the efficiency of our system. It allows the body to build up its immune function, giving it the ability to fight off disease and stay healthy. Our bodies are like machines. They function the way we want them to function. Eating the right kinds of foods prepared in the right way and at the right times, helps our system to be in perfect alignment with nature.