Do you take the time to notice how your food looks, smells, tastes while you are eating? These factors affect how you metabolize your food much more than you think. Being aware of what you are eating actually affects the way your body processes the food. Scientist have a name for this observation of the food affecting digestion it is call CPDR (Cephalic Phase Digestive Response). Cephalic means "of the HEAD". It is a scientific term for the experience of taste, smell, satisfaction, pleasure and visual stimulation of a meal. It is the "mind phase" of digestion. The amazing thing is the research shows as much as 30% to 40% of the total digestive response is due to this attention to the taste, smell and visual experience of what you are eating. The bottom line here is digestion begins in the mind. An example of this is when you smell cookies baking, your mouth waters anticipating the flavor of the cookies, preparing your body to eat them. The initial phase of digestion begins with the brain seeing, smelling and anticipating the food.

So if you choose to watch TV, drive or answer emails while you are eating you are not fully aware and it stands to reason you are not getting the full benefit the (CPDR) plays in your digestion. The part of your digestion that begins in the mind is missing. You are only metabolizing your meal at 60 to 70 % efficiency. By ignoring your food you get less blood flow to the digestive system, less oxygenation and a slower metabolism. By simply paying attention at the plate you will improve you digestion by 30-40%.

Do you ever eat a meal, feel full and still want to eat more? Why does this happen. One reason is when you don't notice what you are eating because you are tuned out the brain missed the experience. The result is you are hungry. The brain didn't get the satisfaction of the experience.  The brain didn't register you ate all that food.  If you feel you don't have enough will power because you give in into this desire for more I disagree.  I say it is not a will power problem. It is just the brain wanting to enjoy eating.   If you bring more awareness to the table you will be fulfilled. We are genetically designed to want to eat, it is part of our survival, we are not meant to suppress our appetite. So stop beating yourself up for wanting food. You are meant to want it, don't try and suppress your desire for food. Celebrate your desire for food. Stop fighting with yourself. Give your body and spirit what it really wants - an experience of eating fully aware of the sight, smells, tastes and textures. When you satisfy your mind, you will not need to fight with yourself any more. If you pay attention to your food you will eat less, digest better and be more satisfied.
 

Get a  PROCESS you can use right now to make this work for you at www.eatwellenjoylife.com  Download my free action guide:  Learn How to Eat for Vibrant Health and Weight Loss. Get the full report with more great tips.

 BLUEBERRIES beat the blues.  These berries have lots of antioxidants to keep the neural pathways to the brain running smoothly which will keep your mood up.Blueberries rank among the highest source of antioxidants of all foods on a per serving basis. Substances in blueberries called polyphenols, specifically anthocyanins that give blueberries their blue hue, are the major contributors to the antioxidant activity.  Try popping frozen blueberries into your mouth for a refreshing treat.  While all blueberries are good wild blueberries are the best if you can find them Fresh blueberries are in season right now.