9 Secrets For Better Digestion

In Ayurveda, it is believed that it is more important to be mindful of what you eat than to just avoid certain foods. The whole approach to food needs to be taken into account whenever you enjoy a meal. Read on to find out about the points you should keep in mind for better digestion:

1. Really enjoy your meal: Look at your plate. Take in the smell, colour and presentation of the dish you are about to eat. When you appreciate the food you eat, your body will too. In addition, if you take in all the flavours and smells of the food, your stomach will also feel fuller and you are less likely to overeat.
2. Lunch should have the most: Lunch should be your biggest meal. This is because the digestive fire is the strongest when the sun is high in the sky. So make sure you include lots of healthy options in your diet, and give your body ample time for digesting.
3. Eat slowly and relaxedly: In today’s fast-paced world, it is easy to have a hurried meal without really sitting down and taking time out for it – often we eat at our desks or while standing up and running other errands.
4. Drink lots of water: Keeping your body hydrated not only helps keep essential fluids in circulation but also allows for an easier digestion process. Sip warm water throughout the day and don’t forget to drink when you feel thirsty. Warm water is easier to digest than cold water as well.
5. Don’t multitask: When you’re eating, do just that. We can be tempted to snap a picture of our meal on Instagram, or chat or try and finish work while eating but that’s not ideal. Multi-tasking isn’t good for your body either – it engages your nervous system which can interrupt digestion.
6. Eat fresh: There’s a belief that anything that’s naturally grownis good for the stomach. Eat freshly cooked foods as far as possible. Canned or readymade food contains a lot of excess salt and preservatives which can cause acidity and troubled digestion.
7. Have something only when hungry: Don’t eat when you’re bored; eat only when you’re hungry. Before you reach out for that chips pack or chocolate bar, think about whether you really need to have it. Drink some water instead, since our body mimics the same feeling when you are thirsty when you’re hungry as well.
8. Relax after your meal: Instead of rushing away to get back to work, take a few minutes to breathe. Don’t shift activities so fast that your body doesn’t get time to adjust. Take 2-3 minutes to sit down and breathe for a few minutes once you’ve finished.
9. Ginger tea as a post-meal drink: Ginger tea helps reduce bloating after a heavy meal, and helps aid digestion so that you don’t feel uncomfortable. Do not drink too much of it though, and opt for a lightly brewed version.

Finally, eat fruits before meals and not after – a common mistake we all make. Keeping these simple tips in mind the next time you sit down to eat will go a long way in improving your digestion.