Noting How You Feel After Eating
Part of the Healthy Habits series
Let’s talk about noting how you feel after eating…
Have you ever stopped to think about how you feel after eating certain foods? It might seem simple, but taking a moment to notice the connection between what you eat and how you feel could be a powerful tool in shaping healthier habits.
While I haven’t found solid scientific studies on this, my personal experience has been transformative. I believe this could be an exciting area for future research, and I’ll be keeping an eye out for studies that explore this idea further.
Slow Down and Pay Attention to How You Feel
In our fast-paced lives, it’s easy to rush through meals without thinking about how they affect us. But slowing down to observe how your body and mind feel after eating can help you become more mindful and intentional with your food choices. Noticing how different foods make you feel physically and mentally can act as a guide toward making healthier decisions.
For example, if you consistently notice feeling bloated or sluggish after certain foods or overeating, you may be less likely to choose those foods in the future. On the other hand, if you notice you feel energized and clear-headed after a meal, you may naturally gravitate towards those types of foods. It’s all about creating awareness—once this habit becomes second nature, it could lead to long-term positive changes in your diet.
Take it a Step Further
To take it a step further, I suggest asking yourself before each meal: “How do I think this food is going to make me feel?” By predicting how your body will respond, you can use your own personal knowledge to make mindful, healthier decisions.
Try This: Pick one meal a day for a week and pay close attention to how you feel right after, 30 minutes after, and 1 hour after eating. Don’t judge or criticize yourself; simply notice.
My Experience with Noting How I Feel After Eating
After practicing this for years, here’s what I’ve noticed:
Healthy foods feel like a reward. They make me feel good both physically and mentally, so I naturally choose them without feeling deprived.
A Positive Habit Worth Cultivating
I believe the more you practice being mindful of how food affects you, the easier it becomes to make choices that support your well-being. Instead of feeling like you’re giving something up, you’ll feel empowered to choose what makes you feel your best.
Looking for more Healthy Habits?
Check out all of Savored Joy’s Healthy Habits.
Sources
Clevers E, Törnblom H, Simrén M, Tack J, Van Oudenhove L. “Relations between food intake, psychological distress, and gastrointestinal symptoms: A diary study.” United European Gastroenterol J. 2019.
Wahl DR, Villinger K, König LM, et al. “Healthy food choices are happy food choices: Evidence from a real life sample using smartphone-based assessments.” Sci Rep. 2017.Saxena, Yogesh1,; Gupta, Rani1; Moinuddin, Arsalan2; Narwal, Ravinder3. Blood pressure reduction following accumulated physical activity in prehypertensive. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care 5(2):p 349-356, Apr–Jun 2016. | DOI: 10.4103/2249-4863.192368
