Why do we eat and drink, truly?

Is it for the pleasure of that first bite, savoring the flavors of your favorite meal? Is it simply to satisfy hunger and fill your belly to the brim? Or perhaps for a fleeting moment of satisfaction?

These reasons all have their place, but there's a deeper purpose.

We eat and drink to nourish and sustain these bodies of ours. Food is the building material for growth, repair, and vitality. But are you giving your body the right materials? The ones that will support a long, vibrant life filled with energy and stamina?

Awareness begins with recognizing the impact of what we consume. Every meal is data. When we tune into how food makes us feel, better or worse, we unlock the wisdom of the body.

I often start my clients on this path with mindful eating. Not counting calories or measuring portions, or restricting your diet but simply paying attention. I encourage them to journal what they eat and drink in a simple worksheet, and within half an hour after a meal or before the next meal, reflect on how the meal made them feel. Were you focused, tired, bloated, energized? Did you experience brain fog, a headache, or perhaps an alert calm with no crash? Even subtle changes like a quickened heart rate, headache or joint stiffness are signals worth noting.

One profound question we can ask ourselves is: what is in the food we consume? What we put into our bodies can either nourish or deplete us, and by listening closely, we start to see patterns. Then we can ask why did this meal make me feel strong, while another left me feeling drained?

Your body is always speaking to you. The question is, are you listening?