How do I Feel About the Food I Eat…Before, During & After?
Posted on November 09, 2021 by Farah AbuAlia, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.
This simple food rule can change your life. How do I feel before I eat this meal, during, and after it's been eaten? Can it really be that simple?
I started learning about food composition when I was a teenager. My dorm parent, Jill, taught me how to count calories and that was the first step. I remember realizing for the first time that the outer appearance of food is not the same as its contents. And this was the most important mental shift that changed my outlook on eating.
Before I met Jill, I was somewhat obsessed what I ate. I was constantly hungry and I was always thinking about the next meal. Having grown up playing a lot of sport, my body did need the energy, but the right kind of energy at the right times, could have helped me build a better connection with food.
I started eating more quantities during the day and the less in the evening. With time it was proven that fat was actually good for us and sugar was the culprit, so I decreased my processed sugar intake and tried as much as possible to swap natural sugars, like dates, in my desserts instead. I started to become aware of the affects of the production of the food we eat on the environment so I decided to become a vegetarian (fish sometimes) and eat as much as I could organic. With time I realized that growing my own food was the best way to control the quality of the food I would be putting into my body so I started to learn about growing my own food and started experimenting with some.
The journey towards eating clean is constantly changing and I’m so lucky to have been exposed to the right teachers at the right times for me to make lasting changes that make me feel light and healthy. Food plays an intricate role on our health and it is imperative that we educate ourselves about what foods are the best for our bodies. For us to continue to move like we are young, to have clear minds and connected spirits we need to be aware of the food we are consuming.
One rule of thumb I have coined and use to help me stay on track with my food choices is the Before, During & After Rule. This rule pushes me to be aware of how my body is reacting to the food I eat instead of just going with the flow and eating whatever is available. It goes like this: when I am confused about a food choice for mealtime, I mentally ask my body what it feels like having. If someone suggests McDonalds and I know that McDonalds is not a food choice that feels good before I eat it (the thought ignites guilt & pleasure) during (the taste of meat is not like fresh meat) and after (during digestion after an hour or two when the contents of food are spreading throughout your system), I will not go with that food choice. If the suggestion is a vegan bowl, and maybe not as exciting a food choice as McDonald’s, I know that I feel good about the idea, I know I will feel happy about the fresh ingredients as I eat and I know I will feel nourished and light afterwards.
I integrate this food rule into all my food choices.
Before: Can I afford this meal? Do I know where the source of fish is from – Nordic salmon loaded with antibiotics or fresh and local? Do I need protein at this time of day? I haven’t gotten my daily does of fresh fruit for the day.
During: Is the food too oily? The meat/fish/chicken taste fresh. This combination of food feels off. It feels so good to have vegetables. This food is too spicy. This food is too sweet. This food is not landing in my tummy right. This food doesn’t smell right.
After: I’m so happy I had that meal, I feel nourished and satiated. I ate way to much sugar, I feel jittery and my head hurts. That coffee made my heart race. That snack was unnecessary, I just had breakfast. I shouldn’t have eaten that meals just because everyone else was. I’m happy I listened to my body and ate the food it was asking for.
With time and exposure to the right kinds of food that make you’re body feel good, you’ll get better and better at making the right food choices at the right time. I’m not saying that I never go against my intuition and eat otherwise, but I have come close to perfecting this rule because it’s served me well to stay on track and feeling good.
The Before, During & After rule can be adopted by anyone at anytime. The best thing about it is you do not have to plan so much or worry about having everything prepared perfectly before you eat, it is a simple question you ask your body before you eat. Most diets and food awareness plans require your to plan days ahead what to eat and preparation can sometimes feel daunting. This rule however is a hassle-free, sustainable technique to stay on track with your food choices and connect with your body’s intelligence. Decide in each moment what is best for you to ingest based on your state of being and actual nutritional necessity. I hope you enjoy this rule and benefit from it as much as I do.
