Initial Steps to Proper Digestion:
1. Relax and take a breath before eating.
2. Chew thoroughly, until food is liquefied.
3. Drink little to no fluids with meals. NEVER wash food down with a drink!
4. Eat only until satisfied, not full.
That's it, that's all! For the reasons, see below.
Why Relax & Slowdown While Eating?
• Stress (a.k.a. Fight or Flight) turns off digestive processes.
• Digestive acids and enzymes will "turn on" when relaxed.
• Less food is consumed. It takes about 20 minutes to register "full".
Chew thoroughly!
• Chewing mixes saliva with food, which starts breaking it down.
• Chewing sends a message to the stomach so it knows what's coming.
o The stomach can only activate the appropriate digestive enzymes and
juices if it "knows" what's on the way in!
• Liquefies the food enough to be swallowed without additional liquids.
• Food particles sit in the stomach until liquid enough to pass into the intestines. If it
sits too long it ferments / rots in the gut.
Eat Only Until Satisfied
• Do not overeat!
• A full stomach can not effectively "churn" the food. The result is undigested food
which ferments.
Undigested and Fermenting Foods in Gut Results in:
• Gas
• Pain
• Bloating
• Lethargy
• Food allergies
• Increased risk of parasites
• Water retention
• A wide variety of disease
• Heart burn/acid reflux
• Malnutrition
Liquid with Meals?
• Fluid with meals dilutes digestive juices.
• A properly hydrated body will make enough saliva to swallow food comfortably
without drinking.
• Drinks should be consumed until 20 minutes before a meal and from 1-2 hours
after, depending on the food consumed.
o
