Guilt free or Gluttony | The Importance of Mindful Eating

Guilt free or Gluttony?  What are we talking about?

Do you know the importance of mindful eating? Chances are, if you are “eating clean” you’re overlooking this essential concept. While I’m definitely in favor of nourishing our bodies through a healthy diet, sometimes we get so caught up in the quality of our food that we forget the importance of quantity.

I was thinking about my previous post on the best foods to eat for flat abs, and realized that some people might misunderstand my point. Yes, those foods are good for you and you should be eating them. But… you shouldn’t be stuffing yourself with berries and kale and salmon.

That might sound a little bit ridiculous. Who would do that, right? But in all honestly, people do it all the time. I know I used to do this and sometimes I can still fall into that mentality. We think that just because we’re eating clean, that gives us license to eat as much as we want. Water is also good for you, it’s essential for life, but people have died from drinking way more water than our bodies were meant to consume.

Food is a blessing, but if we abuse it, it can be a curse. Even healthy food, if not consumed in moderation, can cause you to gain weight and feel bloated and lethargic. I think that’s why the 21 Day Fix has become really popular. The idea behind it is eating clean foods in proper portions. People that may have been eating clean all their life are losing weight on this program simply because they are learning to properly portion out their food. It’s not rocket science, it’s common sense. Whether you’re overeating pizza or overeating quinoa, the fact is – you’re overeating.

I believe that mindful eating is truly about eating with purpose and intention. It’s not a diet, it’s a mentality. Instead of thinking, “I can eat as much fruit and vegetables as I want.” Your mindset is to eat healthy foods until you are satisfied.

I’ll always remember reading the book, “Reshaping It All,” by Candace Cameron. It was so insightful and this one line really stuck with me.

“Just because I can eat as many carrots as I want to, doesn’t mean I should.” (paraphrase)

Her book is all about being disciplined eaters and learning moderation in all things. This is the point that I want to get across. Food is a blessing and eating is a pleasurable experience, but when we make food an idol – by obsessing over it, indulging in it, or giving it power over us – than we need to take a step back and analyze our situation.

Have we convinced ourselves that just because veggies and fruit are guilt-free foods that we can eat as much as we want? There comes a time when we need to ask ourselves if guilt-free is a good thing, or are we just allowing gluttony to take over. I believe that stuffing yourself with veggies is just as bad as stuffing yourself with burgers and fries. A dietitian or nutritionist might not agree with me, but hear me out. It’s not about what you are eating, but the why behind it. I believe that any food consumed in gluttony is harmful to your body. Sure, those veggies are waaay more nutritious for you body, but is that type of eating good for your soul? Personally, I don’t believe it is.

I hope this has given you some food for thought, and I would love to hear your opinion about this topic. Do you agree with me on the importance of mindful eating? Please comment below and share your thoughts about eating clean and overeating healthy foods. I am by no means an expert in the field of nutrition. I’ve read a lot and learned a lot from my personal experience, but these are just my thoughts. I’m eager to hear your input as well. Thanks for reading! And remember, sharing is caring! I would really appreciate if you would tweet about this post or share it on Facebook. Thanks!