Straight from our Handbook for Healers blog, by Almine:
Obesity
Especially in the US, obesity has reached epidemic proportions and often results in the development of hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular medical conditions. Interestingly enough, one thing that obese and extremely thin people may have in common is being malnourished – just two extremes of the spectrum. On the one hand, obese persons may be ‘stuffing’ emotions by overeating and/or eating foods with little or no nutritional value while others are limited in what food is available to them – they may not be able to get enough calories or nutrients because of limited quantity of any type of food.
Mindful eating
Mindful eating is something we can all practice: are we eating because we are actually hungry, or are we bored or thirsty? Avoid eating while driving or doing other activities to really appreciate the taste and the blessing of the food we eat. One suggestion is to eat in silence in order to really taste the food, and to notice its texture and aromas. This creates appreciation and can even lead to states of bliss.
Bounty of Summer
During the bounty of summer, remember to eat the rainbow of vegetables and fruits that are brightly colored as they contain the most vitamins and minerals. Fresh fruits, including berries, are high in anti-oxidants, vitamins, fiber, and taste really delicious (blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries are some of the fruits lowest in sugar as an added benefit). Remember to wash foods thoroughly and to buy organic whenever possible.
Concept for Mindful Eating
Food is used to fill the need for input when we do not allow it to occur through receptive silence. Because it is a substitute and cannot fulfill the need, it becomes an obsession.
beautiful post – I have been searching Almine’s websites on information about eating, particularly eating disorders and anorexia. While Belvaspata’s Love/trust sigils can be used on obesity, I don’t seem to find anything on ED. According to statistics anorexia is seen now even in young children and is reaching epidemic proportions. Any insights and healing modalities from Almine that could be used on these patients will be much appreciated.
Nancy,
Thank you for your question. The general guidelines given in this post apply also but the nutritional needs of the body are different during pregnancy. There is a higher need for some vitamins and minerals because you are literally creating and sustaining the body of your child and thus ‘eating for two’. If you don’t get the vitamins/minerals you need in your diet, neither will your baby. We urge you to read up on this topic, some nutrients such as B vitamins and folic acid are critical for central nervous system development.
I love this post. Eating a rainbow of colours reminds me of when I was working during the summer away from college and a Black foot Indian told me when you prepare a meal you should add as many different colours as you can since the first thing about food that should grab your attention is how it looks. Now I dont really know if you could call it a problem since I dont have a problem with over eating. I do however have a problem with forgetting to eat!!! It is only when the body shouts at me that its really hungry now that I remember to eat lol
Thanks for leaving a little note here, Dave. Welcome to Almine’s blog!
Niels
Team Almine
Great post. I am so curious and would love to know how this relates to pregnancy or better said how to translate it to that. I have been very much busy with what I eat lately and why. Does the body have different needs then when pregnant (sure feels different 🙂 and what is best to do then? Or does this just apply all across the board?
– Curious nancy (lol)