We are all familiar with the expression “you are what you eat”, but it is also important to realize that what you eat also affects your brain. Whilst, most of the time, we worry about the health of our body neck-down, we tend to forget that our brain is also a key component that helps keep the entire body in good working condition. So what does our body and mind require to keep in pretty good condition?

It’s not only what you eat, but also how you eat

Research has determined that it is not merely the choice of food that you put into your body that helps keep you in good health, it’s also the way you eat. 

With our current lifestyle where we are more often than not rushing out the door for something or other, we do not have the time or patience to eat our food slowly. We rip out large chunks and gobble it down with a summary chew or two and wash it down with a liquid that’s preferably coloured and sweet. Over time we suffer from indigestion, “angin” (wind), distended stomach and finally gastric.

A visit to the Gastroentrologist will have you waiting for a few hours before it’s your turn to see him because he has so many patients suffering from the same complaints as you are!

So what should you do? Learn to slow down. Eat slowly. Take small bites and chew, chew, chew (at least 25 times before swallowing). Your stomach can’t digest the chunks of food that you’ve sent down your throat. It can’t cope and this prevents absorption of the nutrients into the bloodstream. 

Here are more reasons why you should chew more:

Chewing…

·   Produces saliva which layers the food with the enzyme amylase

·   Allows the food to mix with the saliva and begins the breaking down process by prompting the release of hormones, gastric juices and digestive enzymes and allows for quicker digestion

·   Gives your body time to prepare for the food, thus you are less likely to overeat

·   Stimulates part of the immune system thus providing you with an overall health boost

·   Helps prevent chunks of rotting, undigested food from staying in your stomach inviting the bacteria in your digestive tract to feed on thus causing the formation of gas, indigestion and heartburn.

 What else is good for health?

Do not overeat. Our body only requires a certain amount of calories to keep it going throughout the day and to maintain our good health. Excess calories leads to food being converted into fat and stored away and this could be fatal especially if we lead a sedentary lifestyle.  How do we keep it in check?

1.    Check the caloric intake by reading the nutrition values given on the food products we eat

2.    Stay clear from saturated fats

3.    Control the portions or cut-down the portions if necessary

4.    Eat small portions but eat more frequently, and chew your food well. Your stomach will thank you for this

5.    Jazz up your meals with variety

6.    Eat more vegetables and fruits because the fibre and vitamin content in them will give you a health boost

7.    Cut down on sugar intake as it contains no nutritional value only lots of calories

8.    Cut down on salt intake as it has a direct affect on your blood pressure, increases water retention, thins bones, and can cause asthma, kidney disease and stomach cancer

9.    Drink enough water because our body is estimated to be about 60 to 70% water and we need to replenish it all the time for optimum body function. Water helps to regulate body temperature and provides the medium through which nutrients and waste travel to and from our organs

10. Eat early. Don’t eat and sleep immediately because in sleep mode all body systems slow down and the food you ate will probably be seen as excess and be stored away as fat

By putting these 10 tips into practice, you will have begun your journey to better health. Not only will you begin to feel healthier, you’ll also find yourself with more energy, lighter, able to enjoy life better, savour the real flavours of food and have less stomach issues!