Disclaimer: This is not a science backed article. I’ve written it based on my own observations - of myself and other people - and life experiences.
I have just eaten two big plates of an Indian Curry dish that I made two days ago. Ok, you might think, nothing wrong or weird about that so far. The thing is, I’ve had this gigantic amount of food at 1pm. Usually not a time for me to have a warm meal.
My lunches mostly consist of a snack, fruits, nuts or peanut butter, yoghurt, a sweet treat. Whatever is on hand that very day. My dinners are the warm meals of the day. That’s when I cook or eat leftovers from the day before. That’s just how I click.
Except for today. Why? What happened, you’re wondering?
I felt like it. It’s that simple. I felt like having a nourishing meal in the middle of the day.
And I know exactly why. I’ve had a very intense session with my mentor this morning, with a deep meditation that obviously drained my energy system, so my body screamed for something deeply nourishing and comforting. Luckily I still had plenty of that Indian Curry leftover and just needed to make some Quinoa to go with it.
And boy did I indulge in it. After two big plates I felt very comfortable and well nourished, not full at all.
Now think about your own life and eating habits, when was the last time you listened to your body about when or what to eat?
Most often we eat because, well, it’s that time of the day, so we have breakfast, lunch or dinner. Or, we may have a family and everyone comes to the dining room table at a certain hour of the day to eat the usual meals.
Families with smaller children, though, might know that they eat or don’t eat whatever they feel like. Sometimes they don’t eat at all or very little. Sometimes they crave a certain food, or eat big chunks of cheese or munch on sausage or grab plain butter from the butter dish.
As adults and parents we get angry at them, why can’t they eat what everyone else does? Will they be fully nourished eating only cheese or sausage or plain fat?
I can assure you, they are. Children are in their growth phase and crave exactly what their bodies at that time needs. If it needs fat, then they’ll indulge on that butter.
You might be thinking, well, I have that craving for chocolate or Pizza, so I can just go for it? Mel gives me permission to indulge? Yay!!!
I’d never do anything else, that’s for sure. But, what this craving is actually telling you as an adult and your adult body that also needs a balance of all necessary nutrients, minerals, vitamins and all: I’m missing something. Something is off. I need more of this or that. Please feed me xyz.
Many of us still are eating highly processed foods, the quick fix for lunch, a sandwich or maybe even a salad (with the obligatory dressing), no time to cook a proper meal, so it’s the ready-made stuff that simply needs to be heated. Can you see what’s happening here?
Your body is getting what it needs at that moment, filling your stomach. But the food doesn’t fully nourish you. You’re not giving it what it truly needs.
But, it’s not just a well-balanced diet made from whole food ingredients that makes the difference. It’s also being in tune with your body, knowing yourself and what it actually needs to function, to thrive and to grow. Physically, mentally and spiritually.
Because, and that’s probably nothing new to you, body, mind and soul are connected.
Once you start getting to know yourself better, you’ll start to learn to read your body’s signs.
I’m craving chocolate? Well, I may be in the last quarter of my female cycle. Or, something else might be missing from my diet at that moment.
My body literally is out of balance and is trying to fix this by adding more sugar. And, if you’re like me and are mostly eating dark chocolate, which is rich in iron, magnesium and zinc, then that’s what your body may need.
If you’re craving a lot of chocolate, like a lot, then you may wanna ask yourself, what is it that I’m trying to fix or comfort here?
What needs attention inside of you? Chocolate cravings oftentimes have a lot to do with emotional pain that needs soothing.
What about other cravings?
Sometimes I’m craving cheese or Tofu, both very rich in protein. What does that tell me, well, obviously I need more protein.
Some days I just need to indulge into a whole head of broccoli or a bowl of kale. Then, my body apparently needed more green vegetables with all their amazing health benefits.
I don’t usually crave very fatty foods, so I assume my fat metabolism is well balanced and nourished.
Do you get what I’m saying?
Trust your cravings! They’re there for a reason. And tune in with your body more.
Trust your intuition, too, your gut literally.
Do you really need to eat at a certain time of the day? What is it that you really would like to eat right now, if not what’s right in front of you?
And please, go more for what your body is asking you to feed it. Everything your body wants is to collaborate with you. And if you let it, it can guide you into a healthy lifestyle.
Remember, you’ve only got this one body, no replacements planned in this lifetime.
Yours truly
Mel