Eating with Purpose: Understanding Your Cravings and Nutritional Needs

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself, "What does my body feel like?" It's an important question to ask ourselves, especially when it comes to our relationship with food and mindful eating.

Our bodies are constantly changing and adapting, and it's essential to tune in and listen to what our bodies are telling us. One week, we might feel energized, and the next week, we might feel sluggish and fatigued. By checking in with our bodies regularly, we can better understand what we need to nourish ourselves.

Mindful eating is another way we can connect with our bodies and tune in to our hunger and fullness cues. When we eat mindfully, we're fully present and engaged with the experience of eating. We savor the flavors, textures, and aromas of our food, and we pay attention to how our bodies feel as we eat.

So, what does your body feel like this week? Here are a few things to consider:

Energy Levels: Do you feel energized and alert, or are you feeling tired and sluggish? This can be an indicator of whether you're getting enough sleep, exercise, and nutrients in your diet.

Some nutrients to focus on for your recipes and snacks for the week if you’re feeling sluggish include protein and fiber. Both take longer to digest and keep your blood sugar levels more stable giving you a nice slow and steady release of energy for the perfect boost.

Think snacks like apple slices with nut butter, raw veggies and hummus, or a square of dark chocolate and some nuts.

Cravings: Are you craving sweet or salty foods? This can be a sign that your body is low on certain nutrients, or it can simply be a natural response to stress or other emotional triggers.

Taste absolutely plays a role when selecting meals and snacks. Just because a meal or snack is nutritious doesn’t mean it shouldn’t taste good! For example, if you are really craving a cookie as a snack - have the cookie and pair it with a handful of mixed nuts or some fruit and hummus on the side. 

Digestion: Are you experiencing any digestive issues like bloating, constipation, or indigestion? These can be signs that your body is struggling to digest certain foods or that you may need to eat more fiber-rich foods.

Men should aim to have 30-38 grams of fiber per day and women, 21-25 grams of fiber per day. Pair fresh fruit with nut butter or plain Greek yogurt for added protein, incorporate more fresh or frozen veggies into meals (does ½ your plate contain veggies?),  focus on whole grains like bean-based pastas, wild rice, and multi-grain bread for added fiber. 

Mood: Are you feeling happy and content, or are you experiencing stress, anxiety, or other negative emotions? Our mood can have a significant impact on our relationship with food, and it's essential to be mindful of how our emotions may be affecting our eating habits.

Foods high in refined sugar, processed foods, high-sodium foods, and artificial sweeteners can make you feel sluggish, irritable, and even depressed.

On the flip side, fatty fish like salmon, dark chocolate, berries, whole grains, nuts and seeds, fermented foods, and dark leafy greens can positively impact your mood and the production of feel-good hormones.

By paying attention to these cues and checking in with your body regularly, you can make more mindful choices about what to eat and how to nourish yourself. So, take a moment to ask yourself, "What does my body feel like this week?" and use that information to make choices that support your overall health and well-being. Happy eating!

Next week, we’ll get into how to schedule your meal planning!