Mindful Eating Before and After Stepping Onto Your Mat
Image via Happy + Hale
Meet Allie Doiron, a Registered Dietitian and plant-based health nut who strives to make good choices for herself, her husband, and her pup named Kip.
She graduated from Auburn University majoring in Nutrition and Dietetics, completed her Dietetic Internship in Florence, SC, and married her high school sweetheart of 8 years in June. When he landed a dream job, they moved to Raleigh to start the married life! She loves all things whole foods, essential oils, and anything outdoors.
Born and raised in the mountains of Alabama (no, she is not an Alabama fan) and being half Icelandic has given her a well-rounded view on nutrition and the importance of health. She practices from a holistic standpoint: overall health and wellness isn't just about foods, it's a mind/body approach. There is a gut-brain connection, meaning how you eat can affect how you think, and your emotions can affect how you absorb food. It is important that you focus on what you put into your body, what you put on your body, how you manage stress, and how often you are exercising.
Read below as Allie shares what she knows about healthy eating habits and mindfulness before and after a yoga class, and follow her @waterandthewell to keep up with her journey!
Your yoga practice teaches you to focus on your breath and your body in that moment. We have the power to take that mindfulness outside of class by teaching us to be more aware of portion sizes and the quality of food we are putting into our bodies.
Practicing yoga consistently will translate to the realization that food is not only for survival, but to be enjoyed. Bringing that mindfulness into these moments promotes more intuitive eating, healthier choices, and a happier lifestyle overall.
Eating on-the-go has led us to become unaware of what is being consumed. Take a breath before, during, and after you eat, and be mindful and grateful in that moment of what you are putting into your body.
Some diets work by putting your body into starvation mode, causing you to lose weight, but this is not sustainable or healthy for your body. In fact, it’s often worse.
Now let’s put this into practice!
Before your practice it’s important to consume carbohydrate-rich foods. Carbs break down in your body into glucose. Glucose is the primary source of fuel for your brain. If you do not have glucose, your body is unable to absorb protein into your muscles.
Carbs should not be a fear! Carbs give you the energy you need to perform. It’s important to choose the right kinds of carbs such as, whole grains or rich-in-fiber foods like quinoa, oats, brown rice, and barley.
Protein, on the other hand, is not usually a fear! In fact, the average American over-consumes protein. Is protein important? YES. No question about it. Protein is essential for muscle recovery and growth, digestion, hormone transport, metabolism, etc. While each person has different protein needs, the goal is to ensure you have a good quality source of protein within 30 minutes post-workout, and you include a protein source at each meal and snack of the day.
It is important to be nourished to have the ability to perform. Notice how different your mind and body might feel if you try bringing your awareness with you throughout your daily routines.