Avoiding Overindulgence in Eating for better health

April 2, 2015

Avoiding Overindulgence in Eating for better health: Mindful eating tips for better health

Avoiding Overindulgence in Eating for better health

Food is very instrumental in human life. The truth is it is one of the basic needs and the very important one. Without food there will be no life. It has a way for uniting people after long day’s work or taking time out as a team retreating for team building. We are all in agreement that food is very essential. However avoiding overindulgence in eating for better health is equally very important and that is what we want to discuss in this article. Because food is very essential, we must enjoy it to the fullest to get the pleasure and life we need from it. Nonetheless as we enjoy eating, we must be careful not to overindulge or consume without thinking of the consequences that can come with over eating on our health. Therefore we must be mindful of how we eat lest we cause problems to ourselves. Doctor Akoury is sharing some mindful eating tips that will help you in avoiding overindulgence in eating for better health.

Avoiding Overindulgence in Eating for better health: Understanding what mindful eating is

It is good to appreciate what we are discussing first by understanding what it really means to us. I would define mindful eating as a practice where food is taken or consumed slowly and willfully without any interference. It helps you learn to taste and appreciate your meals while listening to your body so you become aware of the signals that inform you when you are full. This will enable you to consume only necessary portions and in return keeping distance to overweight and obesity. By making your meals a time when you sit down and really focus on your food, you can re-tune your taste buds and rediscover a love for healthy eating while moderating your portion size. Mindful eating could be the key to changing your relationship with food forever while achieving better health.

Avoiding Overindulgence in Eating for better health: Mindless eating and how it happens

When we talk of mindful eating there must as well be the direct opposite. It is no wonder the advent of modernization is quickly changing our feeding habits. Eating has become something we do while on the move or concentrating on other tasks. This is what I define as mindless eating because, when we are distracted, we don’t taste what we are eating and don’t appreciate the signals the body is sending alerting us of when we have had enough to eat. To understand this concept better, the following are some of the prime examples of mindless eating:

Eating lunch at your desk while rushing to meet a deadline
Grabbing breakfast on the go while travelling to work
Eating while watching TV or using social media
Reading at the table

Often, we are not even aware of what we are eating and then wonder how we fell into unhealthy eating habits. The consequence of this confusion can be life threatening owing to the chronic nature of health complications associated with weight gain. With all these facts if mindless eating not checked, it can lead to health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. However with mindful eating, you can take control, improve your health and really enjoy your food.

Avoiding Overindulgence in Eating for better health: Benefits of Mindful eating

It can take time to get into the routine of eating mindfully, but the rewards are numerous. The following just some of the benefits to be gained from mindful eating:

Appreciation of nutritious food
Through this you are able to prevent weight gain and obesity
Positive changes in eating habits
Regulation of portions – quality over quantity
Eliminate bingeing and emotional eating
Improved body awareness
Easier to maintain good health

Avoiding Overindulgence in Eating for better health: How to eat mindfully

It may look quite obvious but you are wrong if that is your perception. Mindful eating is a process and takes time therefore for those who are new to the concept, it may be appropriate to try it when you are not in a hurry or in in any undue pressure of any kind so that you are able to take your time with your meal. Because this is very important, let me give you some of the guidelines for you to achieve on this assignment:

For full concentration turn off the TV, phone and all electronic devices and if you are a bookworm then put all the reading material aside.
Use a timer and set it for 20 minutes. Aim to take at least this long to eat your meal.
Take a few moments to enjoy the sight of the food on your plate. As the saying goes “The first bite is with the eye” so take it all in.
Smell your food. Enjoy the aromas and try to analyze the ingredients with your nose. Is your mouth watering yet? So far, so good.
Take your first bite, but don’t swallow it straight away. Chew slowly and savor your food. How does it taste? What ingredients can you identify?
Put your fork down between each mouthful and don’t pick it up again until you are ready for the next.
Be aware of your body signals. Once you feel full, stop eating.

Over time you will get used to eating mindfully and when this is achieved you will be less likely to eat in large quantities because you are eating in the moment without distractions. Mindful eating helps you to appreciate good food in small quantities over bad food in large quantities. With mindful eating, there are no forbidden foods because everything is enjoyed in moderation.

Avoiding Overindulgence in Eating for better health: Mindful eating exercises

Finally just like in all things practice makes perfection and mindful eating is not left out. The following are some of the take a ways you can practice for the perfection of mindful eating:

Instead of using a plate with a big circumference, take something small like a raisin, peanut, grape or pea. Eat it in tiny bites, fully analyzing how it looks, tastes, smells and feels.
Take a food item you normally feel guilty about eating and eat it mindfully. Did it taste as good as you anticipated? Did it make you feel as good as you expected? If the experience fell short of your expectations it may help you to shake off your emotional attachment to that food.
Take not of being conscious of every food choices you make throughout the day. There are more than you think.
Make a list of foods you really enjoy eating mindfully. Make another list of foods you find you don’t enjoy so much and eliminate them from your diet. As you become more attuned to your taste buds, you will find yourself choosing tasty, nutritious food and cutting out foods that are high in calories and low on taste.
Eat with your non-dominant hand. It takes longer to eat and discourages mindless eating.

Avoiding Overindulgence in Eating for better health: Mindful eating tips for better health

Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration

February 6, 2015

Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration: The Risk of Children being Underweight

Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration. this should be the concern for all parents if we are to bring up healthy children

We have been discussing issues touching on weight again and obesity for some time now. All that we have said are actually very useful if we desire to remain in good health. In this article however, we want to change the flow of weight gain and look at the direct opposite. In other words when children grow they tend to respond to the environment differently. Many children up on reaching a given age may without notice show signs of dislike for food. In fact statistics has it that four out of five parents are very concern about the feeding habits of their children. Ordinarily it is not very usual for a child to like a given food today and wake up tomorrow disliking the same. Nonetheless children often rejects taste of certain food mainly because of behavioral issues, the child had eaten somewhere or just being honest that particular food is not their favorite. Whichever the child’s reason, food is very important in the general growth and development of our children. To avoid instances where instead of dealing with obesity, we are going to deal with instance of underweight, we want to address the issues surrounding the possible remedies for children fussy eating and hydration. Doctor Dalal Akoury is speaking to us about the possible working ways through which we can address this concern. While it may be true that a child who refuses food may be trying to assert independence to see how you will react, this kind of behavior must be dealt with professionally less we end up with health conditions which are associated to underweight. Doctor Akoury shares the following heath tips to help you keep fit and healthy.

Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration: Here are some tips to cope with fussy eating behaviors

To ensure that your child feeds well, it is very important that everyone who feeds your child agrees on how to deal with your child’s requests and refusals. For instance, you may opt for a 20 minute time limit on mealtimes to prevent them dragging on, or you may decide that any requests for a different meal will be not met. The same guidelines should also be adopted by those who help your child at mealtimes so it’s persistently reinforced.

Staying composed in dealing with your child’s food fussiness is very ideal. The more fuss that is made in return and the more emotional you get, the more charged meal time will become and your child will realize their behavior is getting the attention they desire. By remaining calm, you will help to diffuse the situation and your child will realize their behavior isn’t getting them any extra attention.

As the children grow up to teenage shift the plan a bit and serve them equal portions as the rest of the family. Remember that it’s best to avoid getting stuck in the habit of taking special requests.

Spending some time with your children while eating can be very splendid in many ways. Therefore it is important to make meal times a happy time for the family. Noting that when it becomes stressful the child may not enjoy it and neither will you do.

Be consistent even if the child rejects certain food stuff. Ordinarily children will take up to ten trials before they can start enjoying the new food.

A little trick can work well for you when introducing new menu. Do this when the child is hungry, at this time it is possible that they will make effort to eat something new on an empty stomach.

Remain firm and do not offer a replacement food if what you offer is rejected. However when the child is sick don’t starve the child because they won’t starve themselves either.

Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration: Children & hydration

Having looked at certain reasons why children may refuse to eat and what needs to be done. We want to look at another segment that can cause real health problems if not addressed in children. Water is life for real and the human body is 70% water. This priceless commodity has many important functions in the body, including;

Regulating your body’s temperature
Digesting food and
Excreting waste

Your body loses water throughout the day when you sweat, breathe and urinate. These lose needs to be replaced from time to time to prevent you from becoming dehydrated. Did you know that children are at a greater risk of dehydration than adults? This is because in relation to their size, children have a larger proportion of their skin available to lose sweat and be exposed to heat. Additionally, children don’t always recognize that they’re thirsty, and if they’re not encouraged and reminded may forget to drink. Luckily, there are a few ways to tell if your child is hydrated. Remember that a dehydrated child will most likely suffer the consequences associated with weight health conditions.

Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration: How do I know if my child is hydrated?

Frequent bathroom breaks or wet nappies are the easiest way to tell if your child is hydrated. You can also look out for these common symptoms of dehydration:

Headaches
Poor concentration
Thirst
Cracked lips
Dry mouth
Constipation
Lethargy
Dark urine

Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration: How much water does my child need?

Like I had mention water is life, therefore the amount your child needs will depend on their age, size and level of activity. For children under 8 years of age, at least 4-6 glasses of water are recommended. For children older than 8 years of age a minimum of 6-8 glasses is recommended.

If your child is playing sports or is very active they will need extra fluid, see our section on hydration for active kids. Kids will also need more fluid on hot days or when unwell.

Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration: Tips to help your kids stay hydrated!

Pack a water bottle for school and when you go out. Try a frozen water bottle in summer.
Encourage your child to drink water before, after and during physical activity
Always offer water with meals and snacks
Encourage your child to drink water, even if they don’t like it!

Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration: Tips for kids who don’t like water

Try adding slices of fruits such as lemon or orange to water, for variety and flavor.
Let your kids choose their own drink bottle or serve water in colorful glasses or jugs.
Be a role model! Make a point of drinking water with your kids.
Experiment with temperature; try having a jug of water in the fridge, adding ice-cubes, or even warm water in winter.

Water is the best choice to keep your kids hydrated throughout the day. It contains no extra energy and can quench your thirst. Other fluids such as milk, juice and sweetened drinks can also contribute to your child’s fluid intake. Remember to schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury for professional input in case of underweight or overweight in your children as a result of their feeding habits.

Remedies for Children fussy eating and Hydration: The Risk of Children being Underweight

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