#beminded

Major fact: Everyone needs to eat in order to survive. All of us even the tiny fetus developing inside a pregnant woman. However, little do we know that human life cycle tells us that eating patterns from early stages of life follows a special identical pattern. Every fetus for example, no matter the gender or ethnicity, so long as in inside the womb, it receives its nutrients via the umbilical cord attached to his/her mother. It is then born as an infant with a Rooting Reflex which occurs when a mother touching her breast to the center of the baby's lips or stroking a baby’s cheek causing the baby to open his mouth and turn his head to one side seemingly looking for the breast and the milk – Magical isn’t it?

Conversely at a very early age of probably 6months old; behavior, food choices, and eating patterns starts to drastically change. Thus the uniformity of acquiring one’s nutrients branches out considerably for us humans. These simple changes happen once complimentary feeding is introduced to the baby.

With all these being said; one truth remains: There is a proper way to eat! This is despite cultural differences, food choices, body clock differences, eating patterns, diet options, religious beliefs, or for whatever reason one may have. After all, we still have a uniform body structure. Our anatomy is still designed very similarly therefore an identical way of eating is still true to all.

I am not saying to follow strictly this proven suggestions for one may find it difficult due to personal deep reasons or perhaps mere stubbornness. All I am saying is, if you want to lessen your risk of acquiring and developing diseases, might as well follow these simple tips:

1st Fun Fact: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day

Why?: From the term itself , it technically BREAKs your FASTing. People sleeps in average for about 7hours a day. Thus our body enters a slight fasting from food.

Tip: Never skip breakfast

 2nd Fun Fact: Fresh fruits first

Why?:  The best time to eat fruits is first thing in the morning after a glass of water. Eating fruits right after a meal is not a great idea, as it may not be digested properly. The nutrients may not be absorbed properly either. You need to leave a gap of at least 30 minutes between a meal and a fruit snack. Ideally, one should eat fruits an hour before the meal or two hours after, if they have diabetes or any other digestive problem like acidity.

Tip: Consume your fresh fruits 30min-1hour prior to eating your meal

 3rd Fun Fact: Eat Most - Eat Moderately - Eat Least

Why?: As the day goes by, our daily activities normally lessens. Therefore, one must allocate most of his food in his breakfast, while consuming less food for lunch, and the least chunk for dinner as we no longer have much activity at night time. An unspent food/calories will be stored in our body. Therefore gaining more weight.

Tip: Breakfast must be your heaviest meal as it is also the most important. Try consuming less for lunch and lesser for dinner.

 4th Fun Fact: Skipping meals leads to more caloric intake

Why?: Skipping a meal will not only lead to a higher concentration of HCL in your stomach but also it will lead you to consume more food on your next meal. Eating twice a day will lead you to consume more calories than eating 3times a day as study shows.

Tip: Never skip your meals

 5th Fun Fact: Chew your food

Why?: Chewing one’s food is part of the mechanical digestion. It is important as it will evenly divide the surface area of the food and will lead to better digestion and absorption of nutrients in food. People who tends to not chew their foods properly often leads to difficulty in defecating and less absorption of nutrients.

Tip: Chew your food properly and don’t swallow it whole. After all, you are not a snake. - *laughs