Intentional Eating

It’s Motivation Monday and here in Bondi-Land, we’re enjoying a long weekend.

It's a little rainy and cold outside, which means the couch is looking attractive and sipping on warm drinks while lazing around with the weekend papers, or a good book is a must.

While doing all of the above (I chose spiced dandelion root tea for a mini liver cleanse, then went for hot choc for round two!), I stumbled across a Michelle Bridges column in SUNDAY Magazine, which was all about “Intentional Eating”.

Bottom line – I loved it!

Michelle’s theory really resonated with one of my own key nutrition rules – one that I’ve been bending a little too often since winter plonked itself down on my doorstep.

Intentional Eating means making a little commitment to yourself that the only time you’ll eat is when you’ve specifically thought about and prepared your meal. It’s also about choosing foods with a specific outcome in mind. 

For Michelle, this means a ‘family rule’ that the only place in the house food will be consumed is at the table.  Anywhere else (in front of the TV or computer, for example) is a no-go.

For me, this rule has always been more about considering what exactly the food I’m choosing is doing for my body. Am I eating it for it’s nutrient value, or to provide energy before a big workout, or to give my body a little cleanse?

I LOVE comfort food – in the form of a hearty stew, warming soup, or runny eggs on a little toast (gluten free for me!) but as winter kicks in, it’s becoming all too easy to mindlessly reach for those ‘other’ comfort foods, particularly at times when I’m hanging around the house.

In my case, these foods are things like warm popcorn drizzled in honey, risotto, or chocolate on the couch in front of a good movie – but for many of my friends, it means red wine, big bowls of pasta, hot chips, warm brownies and cheesy pizza delivered straight to their doors because it’s a little too cold to go out! 

Consider that most of us move around a little less in winter and the equation of eating a greater amount of calorie-dense, nutrient-deficient foods and then moving around/getting out less often means a few unpleasant things: more fat, less energy, dull skin and lowered immunity, resulting in an onslaught of ailments we’d rather do without!

So how can we use Michelle’s little touch of winter wisdom to stay on track over the next few months, while still enjoying a few treats cuddled up on the couch?

Try these 3 things:

1. Each time you eat a meal, think about the result you want to achieve. Do you need a few extra carbs to get you through a long run? Do you want to want to avoid the winter sniffles by choosing a vitamin-packed meal (hint: make it colourful!), is your aim to eat a brekky that will keep you focused and productive throughout your morning (protein and good fats please!). Do you want to get the most nutrition bang-for-your buck by avoiding foods that are low in micro-nutrients and calorie dense (hello bread!) and stocking up on foods that are high in micro-nutrients and light on calories (again, make it colourful!), or is your aim to choose a snack that will give you a quick energy boost (put down that Coke Zero and reach for an apple)?
    
2. Make time to ‘celebrate’ each meal. Throwing down a cheese sandwich while you tap away at your computer screen, or mindlessly scoffing hot chips while chatting at the pub is definitely not the path you want to go down! Preparing a meal for loved ones, carefully considering the ingredients you combine in your morning superfood shake, or meeting friends for a nice dinner (just don’t go for the cheap-and-nasty pasta bake) is a celebration!
    
3. Struggling to do all of the above? Make things a little easier on yourself by ordering a box of your favourite organic veggies to be delivered to your door each week, or spoil yourself by locking in 10 days of complete meals delivered ready-to-eat to your door by your local whole food specialist. We love the delicious organic meals from www.eatfitfood.com.au, or for a cheaper option, www.hellofresh.com.au.