Do Calories Count? Unpacking why embracing the idea of food energy will change how you eat.
In the intro to mindful eating we became acclimated with utilizing self awareness, tuning into thoughts, and feelings and using them to support food decisions at each meal, of each day, for each unique moment.
But what about, calories and nutrients like carbohydrate, fat and protein and how can we connect this knowledge while still eating mindfully? What we have yet to consider is how nutrition can be incorporated while eating mindfully.
Does mindful eating mean you leave calories out of the equation and eat anything you prefer?
The truth is calories do matter, but only to a certain extent. Calories are Food Energy…
What is Food Energy?
Food energy is the amount of energy your body is provided with from eating a food or beverage, at it’s most basic definition.
Do you find yourself obsessing over finding the lowest calorie foods?
While it may be well intended. A hyper focus on calorie counting does not support a healthy lifestyle or food freedom, it instead hinders quality of life and takes up way too much time. Time that could be spent on, enjoying the company of friends and family, soaking up a vacation and creating the life of your dreams.
Need a better approach?
How about Food Freedom? The practice of eating food with peace of mind and confidence in your choices. Food freedom is eating without allowing the calorie content (or fat or carbohydrates content) to consume your thoughts, feelings and choices. Food Freedom is a step towards living life fully.
But how can we consider food energy while still eating mindfully?
First, changing the perception of “calories”. Let’s exchange calories with food energy and give food energy an upgraded meaning…
The New Meaning of Food Energy
- Food energy means you are nourishing your mind-body.
- Food energy means you are fueling mind-body to show up in your life fully.
- Food energy means you are providing your mind-body with the means to live out your purpose.
When ‘calories’ are transformed to Food Energy, the scarcity is swapped out for an abundance.
Food energy is the outer wisdom, knowledge about nutrition and the energy that foods provides, guiding us towards making balanced food choices, that both satisfy and nourish.
Using Inner and Outer Wisdom
Above all eating mindfully means eating with intention.
To eat with intention we have to honor our inner wisdom, to decide if we are truly hungry, when we are full and what foods are going to satisfy us the most. While considering our outer wisdom- current circumstance and of course our knowledge about food energy and nutrition. The balance comes from allowing inner and outer wisdom to function together, with practice and experience you’ll be able to make the very best food choices for you.
Let’s Chat!
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