World Health Day reminds us to pause and reflect on how we treat our bodies.
This year, let’s ditch those fad diets, forget the calorie-counting madness, and focus on what truly matters—mindful eating.
Let’s be honest. Who has never tried any “miracle” diet? From skipping rice or carbohydrates (even biryani, sadly!) to surviving on boiled vegetables and soup only—we have tried everything. From Keto to intermittent fasting—you just name it.
But, did it really work long-term?
Unfortunately, diets often make us feel very restricted, guilty, and anxious too.
The worst part? They disconnect us from something really sacred—our eternal relationship with food.
Mindful eating is not about dieting, it’s more of a lifestyle. Mindful eating is slowing down the eating process while savoring each bite, and listening to your body. Imagine enjoying a hot plate of your favourite meal without worrying how many calories you’ve consumed. Sounds freeing, right?
Mindful eating is about eating when you’re actually hungry rather than bored. It's about stopping when you’re full—not when your plate is clean. It's about tasting food with full attention. As there is no food labelled as “good” or “bad”, it’s about tuning in rather than zoning out while eating something.
In India, food is synonymous to love, tradition, and celebration. Our meals are enriched with variety, flavor, and nutrition. However, somewhere between fitness influencers and diet apps, we totally forgot that.
We started fearing mangoes, skipping ghee, and replacing roti with quinoa. But Grandma’s cooking—with seasonal veggies, lentils, rice, and pickles were already the best version of balanced diet.
Do you constantly feel guilty after every meal?
You just swing between overeating and starving.
You have strict rules that often make you anxious.
Although you’re consuming “healthy” food, yet unhappy with your body.
If you nodded yes to at least two of these above, it’s time to shift to a mindful makeover.
No Screens at the Table: While eating, just focus on one thing, that's eating. Skip scrolling your smartphone and enjoy every bite.
Chew Slowly: Chewing habit is a great indicator of your metabolism. Let your brain give time to register fullness. Take at least 15-20 minutes to eat meals.
Listen to Your Body: Are you really hungry or under lot of stress? Understand the difference. Prepare own “hunger scale” from 1 to 10 and consume food only when you're between 3–7.
Never Label Food: Remember, Gulab jamun or Rasgulla is not your enemy. Having one sweet won’t ruin your health. Moderation is always better choice than elimination.
Gratitude Before Meals: Take 10-15 seconds to be thankful before eating. It builds a positive relationship with food and your body.
For the next 7 days, eat every meal mindfully. Keep your phones away and eat without distraction. Notice how your body feels during this practice.
On this World Health Day, let’s make a promise to yourself—not to chase size zero or fear what you eat. Let’s celebrate food, nourish our bodies, and respect our hunger.
Let’s make food joyful again!
