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Did you know that the foods you eat can have a direct impact on your feelings, and how you feel about yourself and even the world? CNN Food reports that eating colorful vibrant foods can make you more cheerful and happy than if you choose bland, colorless and aroma-less meals.
Although some think of it as “you are what you eat,” there can be other ways to understand the concept. For example, the foods you choose can boost your physical, emotional and mental wellbeing and evoke feelings. These feelings can be negative or positive. And there are things you can do in order to keep it on the positive side. Here are five ways you can add joy into your meals and into your life.
Only count the nutrients
Some people are in the habit of always tracking and counting their calories. And although it definitely has its purpose and can be a positive habit for some people, it can take away from enjoying the moment and the food you are consuming.
That’s because you are meant to enjoy your food. Food is for nutrition and sustenance and keeps you strong, healthy but that doesn't mean that you don't get to take pleasure from what you eat. So quit thinking about the calories and think about how the delicious cup of orange juice will give you energy, make your skin glow and taste delicious!
Listen to your intuition
Have you heard of intuitive eating? Intuitive eating is a practice where you listen to your body and eat according to Yahoo! Life. For example, pay attention to whether you are actually hungry, bored and just looking for something to do, or are you emotionally eating. Intuitive eating allows you to eat more mindfully, and really pay attention to your body.
Every human body is different, and every person can react differently to the foods they eat. Intuitive eating also helps you recognize how you feel after eating certain foods. Perhaps a certain product makes you feel bloated, or another gives you loads of energy. When you get in touch with yourself and your body, your intuition will kick in and you can then make better choices that will leave you feeling healthier, happier, and more joyful.
Enjoy the process
Eating a meal starts way before mealtime. If you are the one who is preparing and cooking it, chances are that you meal-prepped, bought the ingredients, cooked the food,and then sat down for your meal. According to First Place for Health, all of those steps can be fun and enjoyable experiences.
Find recipes and meal ideas that make you excited. Go to a grocery store that you like that makes you feel good when you are walking around it. Cook and bake with background music, on the phone with a friend, or while watching a show you enjoy. And then, set a beautiful table and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Family time
Family meals might sometimes be loud and kind of chaotic, but they can also be incredibly fun. You get to create memories and hopefully take some pictures while you are at it. Meal times are the perfect time to bond, get to know each other better, and just enjoy each other's company. Sitting together to have a meal as a family, according to the The Crooked Carrot blog, Family meals are a great way to try new foods and to get the whole family involved in the preparation too. There is no reason to be in the kitchen alone!
Trying something new
Are you adventurous in the kitchen? Or do you prepare your same go-to meals time and time again? Either way, preparing something new is a great way to bring joy into your meals. Even if the recipe doesn’t work out perfectly, it's still a new experience. So go ahead and watch a cooking video, open up a cookbook, or look online to choose something new to make. An enjoyable, and perhaps even delicious, dish might be just a few ingredients away.
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