Vlog Series: Episode 5 Ways to Elevate Your Meals
/When I think about my past eating experiences, I realised I only brought out the ‘good’ crystal glassware or that ‘special’ salad bowl when creating a meal for others, believing those things were ‘too good’ to be used for just me. I often ate on the couch watching TV, not really paying attention to my meals and could finish a meal within one or two ad breaks in the show.
Not only was this a bit of a punishing way to eat, not believing I deserved to use the nice things, but it also didn’t allow space for some very important aspects to digestion - pleasure and nourishment.
Now pleasure and nourishment are actually really important for great digestion. Creating a memorable, fulfilling eating experience for yourself activates the cephalic phase of digestion. This is a really important first phase of digestion, where your senses begin to anticipate eating and start to prepare your body to digest by activating the salivary and gastric secretory responses. Without the enzymes in your saliva and acid secretions into your stomach and pancreas, your body will not be able to digest your meal optimally and this can result in gut issues, bloating or nutrient deficiencies.
When you are relaxed and creating a pleasurable experience of eating, and you savour and really slow down with food you are allowing your system the time and space to activate all the digestive responses that allow you to digest and metabolise your meal in the most efficient way possible. Finding ways to elevate your meal to feel more special can help you to achieve this optimal digestive state.
Using the ‘good’ crockery is just one way that you can create an eating experience where you take some more time to savour and to create some positive feelings. A few other options include:
Pull out a tablecloth or a cloth napkin, something that has a different sensory experience than a paper napkin or piece of paper towel.
Light a candle, or use some lamps to create a more soft light.
Use a jug or decanter for liquids instead of pouring straight from the main bottle, whether it be wine with dinner or milk with your cup of tea.
Pop some fresh flowers on the table for some decoration, pickup something cheap and cheerful, or pick some from your garden.
Turn off the devices. Turn on some instrumental music and create yourself a great ambiance.
Give it a try at your next meal, even if the meal is a take away and you’re eating it in your pj's or sportswear. It’ll give your body the best chance to digest and give your mind a most pleasurable experience too.
