R E A L talk about my food habits and why I do what I do

I'm not on a diet but I do have rather particular food habits that I've developed throughout the years based on my bio-individuality and what I know will make me feel the best under different circumstances and conditions. The 'fuck it' moments do happen as well, but more rarely, and we all need those time-outs periodically where we throw in the towel... temporarily.

Let's jump right into it...

MY EATING HABITS

Intermittent fasting

About a year ago I naturally converted into intermittent fasting in an approx. 16hr fasting - 8hr eating window. Simplified, it means I don't eat breakfast, but have lunch as my first meal of the day. I do have a morning coffee/liquids but rarely eat unless I'm really hungry in the morning; in which case; I always eat. BUT, because I've made it a habit, it happens more rarely.

Why?

Because it optimizes my energy. I've noticed that eating first thing in the morning can make me drowsy because of all the digestion happening. So this is a big enough motivator for me to eat at lunch which might be around 11am-2pm depending on my hunger. There's no fixed, strict meal times but I let my hunger cues lead me. Exceptions happen that I eat later, but that's usually only because I've slept in on that specific day. Getting up early usually triggers an earlier hunger.

Not eating too much at a time, especially during evenings out

I think this point goes back to the one regarding digestion; eating a lot makes me drowsy, so if a party night is ahead... you know the drill; smaller portions, more energy. I prefer to feel light. Should it be a gourmet-night-out, I do indulge. I can also expect an earlier turn-in. But again, there's no strict rules and exceptions happen.

Why?

If you're going to move around a lot, you wouldn't eat a heavy meal just before. Well, depends on preference too. (hello bio-individuality, hello seasonality, hello mood swings & hormones)

Sharing food = Experiencing more = Eating less (80% fullness)

I also prefer sharing plates, trying out more things; rather than sticking to one plate and will maybe end up eating less because other things than food take center stage... like discussions, other experiences. Did you know this is actually one of the IKIGAI principles of longevity? ("hara hachi bun" = eating till 80% fullness, only till you're almost full)

Why?

It feels better; short to long-term. Your body can take time to detox, self-generate; more time/energy is put on other functions than digestion.

Mindful eating

Eating for me is an opportunity to slow down, so I take my time to taste and enjoy the foods I'm having; Chewing s l o w l y and not inhaling in the food in a matter of seconds. It also doesn't give enough time for your brain to receive any fullness signals, so the chances of over-eating to uncomfortable levels of fullness are much likelier. (takes about 20min)

Why?

Because it's against my instinct and doesn't feel good in my body to rush eating. Rushing any meal feels like a waste of time to me; why then eat at all if you can't/don't enjoy it? Accute hunger is one thing, but living your life constantly in a rush is another... a real pity, if you ask me.

Hope that was somewhat insightful and can help you too to work on your relationship with food :-*

B O N A P P E T I T