Healthwatch by Shyft

Need nutrition advice for a happier gut?
Leave your details & our team will help you set up a consult
Sonali Sachdeva

Nutritionist | 22 Yrs. of experience

Sakina Hashmi

Nutritionist | 7 Yrs. of experience

Abhilasha Sharma

Nutritionist | 5 Yrs. of experience

Enter your details

From Bacteria with Love: The Benefits of Mindful Eating for Gut Health

From Bacteria with Love: The Benefits of Mindful Eating for Gut Health
Content
Content

Are you ready to discover how mindful eating can make your gut bacteria do the happy dance and transform you into the superhero of your own health story?

When it comes to maintaining a healthy gut, what you eat is just as important as how you eat it. Mindful eating, the practice of paying attention to your food and how it affects your body, can have a positive impact on your gut health.

According to a study, mindful eating can improve digestive symptoms, reduce inflammation, and increase beneficial gut bacteria. In fact, 95% of our serotonin, a neurotransmitter that affects mood and behavior, is produced in the gut, so it’s no wonder that a healthy gut is essential for overall well-being.

So, what exactly is mindful eating?

Mindful eating is a way of eating that involves paying close attention to the food you’re consuming, the sensations you experience while eating it, and the effect it has on your body. It’s about being present in the moment and fully engaged in the act of eating, free from distractions and other external factors.

When you eat mindfully, you’re taking the time to savour each bite and experience the texture, taste, and aroma of your food. You’re also paying attention to your body’s hunger and fullness signals, so you know when to stop eating and avoid overeating.

This practice can have a significant impact on your gut health, as it can help reduce digestive symptoms and inflammation while increasing beneficial gut bacteria. In addition, mindful eating can also help you develop a healthier relationship with food, be free from guilt and shame, and promote a more positive body image.

Overall, mindful eating is a simple yet powerful way to improve your physical and mental health, so why not give it a try and see what benefits you can reap?

Here are some unique pointers on how to eat mindfully:

  1. Start with a moment of gratitude: Before you start eating, take a moment to appreciate the food in front of you. Think about all the hard work that went into growing, harvesting, and preparing it.
  1. Engage all your senses: Pay attention to the smell, texture, and taste of your food. Try to identify all the different flavours and spices.
  1. Chew slowly and thoroughly: Aim for 20-30 chews per bite. This will help your body digest the food more easily and prevent overeating.

Fun fact: Did you know that the average person chews each bite of food only 5-10 times before swallowing? This can lead to indigestion, bloating, and other digestive issues.

  1. Take breaks: Put down your fork and take a few deep breaths throughout your meal. This will help you slow down and tune in to your body’s hunger and fullness signals.
  1. Avoid distractions: Turn off the TV, put away your phone, and focus on the meal in front of you.

Takeaway

Incorporating mindful eating into your daily routine can take some practice, but it’s well worth the effort. Not only will it improve your gut health, but it can also lead to a greater sense of satisfaction and enjoyment from your meals.


Author:
Shyft Health

Shyft

linkedin
Shyft is your trusted source for health and wellness insights. We collaborate with a network of writers and health experts to curate evidence-based content. This content is further vetted and reviewed by our team of internal experts. Our platform is dedicated to providing you with reliable, accessible health information so you can make informed choices for a healthier life. read more

Over 20,000 customers have reduced their symptoms and improved their health by consulting Shyft's Clinical Nutritionists. When are you starting?

Article By:

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles
when new information becomes available.

Read more

Continue to read on a range of topics related to Exercise, Nutrition, Mental Health and Sleep Health.

Autoimmunity and Your Gut: What You Need to Know

Did you know that the health of your gut can affect the health of your entire body, including your immune system? It's true! Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, which play a critical role in regulating your immune system and protecting you from disease. But when your gut health is compromised, it can lead to a host of health problems, including autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases occur when your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body. There are… Read more

Featured

Autoimmunity and Your Gut: What You Need to Know

Autoimmunity and Your Gut: What You Need to Know

Did you know that the health of your gut can affect the health of your entire body, including your immune system? It's true! Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, which play a critical role in regulating your immune system and protecting you from disease. But when your gut health is compromised, it can lead to a host of health problems, including autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases occur when your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body. There are…

book

4 minutes

|

calendar

23 Jul 2023

Featured

The Gut-Check: The Impact of Skipping Meals

Think twice before skipping that meal, as it could very well be the key to unlocking the secrets of a healthy gut! From aiding in digestion and absorption of nutrients to supporting our immune system and even influencing our mood and mental health, the gut microbiome is a complex and fascinating part of our bodies. But did you know that one simple habit, like skipping meals, can have a significant impact on this delicate balance of bacteria in our gut?… Read more

Editor’s pick

The Gut-Check: The Impact of Skipping Meals

The Gut-Check: The Impact of Skipping Meals

Think twice before skipping that meal, as it could very well be the key to unlocking the secrets of a healthy gut! From aiding in digestion and absorption of nutrients to supporting our immune system and even influencing our mood and mental health, the gut microbiome is a complex and fascinating part of our bodies. But did you know that one simple habit, like skipping meals, can have a significant impact on this delicate balance of bacteria in our gut?…

book

4 minutes

|

calendar

05 Aug 2023

Editor’s pick

Why Gluten can be your Gut-Wrenching Experience

Are you familiar with the infamous protein, gluten? While gluten is safe for most of us, it can cause some serious issues for those who are sensitive to it, especially in the gut. In this blog, we're going to explore the negative impact of gluten on gut health and provide some tips on how to deal with it. Now, here's a fun fact, did you know that the word "gluten" comes from the Latin word for "glue?" It's no wonder… Read more

Most read

Why Gluten can be your Gut-Wrenching Experience

Why Gluten can be your Gut-Wrenching Experience

Are you familiar with the infamous protein, gluten? While gluten is safe for most of us, it can cause some serious issues for those who are sensitive to it, especially in the gut. In this blog, we're going to explore the negative impact of gluten on gut health and provide some tips on how to deal with it. Now, here's a fun fact, did you know that the word "gluten" comes from the Latin word for "glue?" It's no wonder…

book

3 minutes

|

calendar

14 Aug 2023

Most read

Nourish Your Gut: The Top Foods for a Happy Microbiome

The gut microbiome is like a delicate balance, and what you eat can either tip the scales in favor of good health or lead to trouble. Gut health is the talk of the town these days and for good reason! Our gut is home to an incredibly complex ecosystem of bacteria, both good and bad, and it plays a crucial role in regulating our digestion, metabolism, and even our mood. In recent years, research has shown that the gut microbiome… Read more

Nourish Your Gut: The Top Foods for a Happy Microbiome

Nourish Your Gut: The Top Foods for a Happy Microbiome

The gut microbiome is like a delicate balance, and what you eat can either tip the scales in favor of good health or lead to trouble. Gut health is the talk of the town these days and for good reason! Our gut is home to an incredibly complex ecosystem of bacteria, both good and bad, and it plays a crucial role in regulating our digestion, metabolism, and even our mood. In recent years, research has shown that the gut microbiome…

book

4 minutes

|

calendar

06 Apr 2023

Recipes to manage Gut Health, approved by nutritionists

View all
Understanding Metabolism

Egg Masala Curry

A flavorful combination of curry & hard-boiled eggs simmered in an onion-tomato-based gravy.

17 INGREDIENTS

|

30 MINS.

Understanding Metabolism

Sarson ka Saag

A Punjabi culinary gem featuring vibrant mustard greens cooked to perfection with a medley of spices and herbs.

10 INGREDIENTS

|

30 MINS.

Understanding Metabolism

Grilled Chicken Salad

A lovely medley of grilled chicken, vegetables, and cheese, tossed in a flavorsome vinaigrette.

15 INGREDIENTS

|

45 MINS.

Understanding Metabolism

Sabudaana Vada

A crispy, soft, savory, and mildly sweet patty made with softened tapioca pearls - a beloved fasting snack!

12 INGREDIENTS

|

30 MINS.

Understanding Metabolism

Chickpea Soup

A thick, creamy & delicious soup with the goodness of plant protein.

10 INGREDIENTS

|

45 MINS.

Understanding Metabolism

Raw Mango Curd Rice

A delicious, mild, tangy rice recipe with added benefits of raw mangoes and plain yogurt.

2 INGREDIENTS

|

30 MINS.

Understanding Metabolism

Keerai kootu

A flavorful blend of health & taste with additional benefits of spinach

3 INGREDIENTS

|

30 MINS.

Understanding Metabolism

Avial

A dish loaded with veggies with its roots in Kerala and Tamil Nadu

16 INGREDIENTS

|

30 MINS.

Understanding Metabolism

Hung Curd Dip

The perfect dip for all your snacks

11 INGREDIENTS

|

15 MINS.

Understanding Metabolism

Greek Salad

Easy to make, tossed salad with fresh vegetables

9 INGREDIENTS

|

30 MINS.

View all