Mind Vs Body: Who Are We Really Feeding When We Eat?

When we eat it is interesting to think about the separate desires of the mind and the body. Ironically, our minds often urge us to eat and drink things that we know are not healthy for our bodies. Why?

At a basic level, we eat to survive. We also eat because food is one of the great joys of life. Nutritional science has discovered that certain foods are very nutritious for the body such as broccoli and kale. Science also has determined that there is very little nutritional value in other foods such as donuts and chips which we affectionately refer to as “junk food”. There is growing evidence that junk food is quite harmful to our bodies and general health. If you value physical fitness and health, then you probably already know… you are what you eat!

Curiously, our minds might say we like donuts more than broccoli. And even our taste buds agree! Why would our minds want to sabotage our health in that way?

An example: Our body is approximately 70%+ water. But a lot of people will admit that they very rarely drink water. When we are thirsty, our minds may say we need a Diet Coke or Gatorade. If our body had a “voice” like our mind theoretically does, it probably would be screaming for water! The mind (in cahoots with our taste buds) convinces us that we want the other stuff. The body really doesn’t want all the sugar in sports drinks and all the fake sugar in diet sodas.

Really, it doesn’t. Unfortunately, the body has NO VOICE!!

Mindfulness training helps you cultivate your observing self, which is a higher level of awareness of your mind, body and values (how you want to live your life and take care of your body). When you eat mindfully, you notice that the mind and the body don't always agree on what to eat.

If we are truly are trying to take care of our body, doesn't it make sense to listen to what the body needs and override what the mind wants?

If we learn how to mindfully show up for each meal, day after day, and be the voice for the voiceless body, then the side effect could very well could be a healthier body. And I know for a fact that once you have a healthier body, your mind tends to follow and starts asking for healthier things to eat and drink too!

Something to chew on….