Rules of Digestion

Taking steps to improve digestion is paramount because if foods are not fully broken down
when and where they are supposed to be in the digestive tract, this can result in deficiencies
and force other organs to work harder than they should. Improper digestion and assimilation of
food can affect any and every system of your body. 


Eat in a Relaxed Environment 


If we eat a meal or a snack when the body is subjected to any kind of stress (emotional/
physical), even if it is minor, we do our digestive system a disservice. When stressed, our
sympathetic nervous system activates our fight or flight response which shunts the oxygen and
nutrient-rich blood away from our digestive organs. This can result in slower and incomplete
digestion of food leading to fermentation which can manifest as gas, cramping, and bloating.

Chew Longer than You Think You Need to


Digestion starts in your mouth. Chewing breaks apart the food which increases its surface area
making it easier for digestive enzymes to continue the job further down. Carbohydrates are
also broken down by a substance in your saliva. Notice that when you chew carbohydrates
very well, it brings out the natural sweetness.
Thorough chewing is a great way to be more mindful while you are eating. Give yourself
a chance to really taste and experience your food.

Breathe Between Bites

Most of us have a tendency to eat our food a bit quicker than is actually healthy. Besides
thorough chewing, breathing deeply before taking a new bite helps to activate our
parasympathetic nervous system, which encourages a state of relaxation that is excellent for
complete and thorough digestion.

Stop Eating When Your Stomach Feels 2/3 Full

We’ve all heard that it takes 20 minutes for your brain to get the stomach’s signal that it is full,
and by that time, we may have eaten 20 more minutes worth of food. Even if we are eating the
healthiest foods under the sun, over-filling your stomach reduces its capacity to break down
the food, which slows our digestion considerably, leading to gas, bloating, and cramping. It can
also result in a stomach that is no longer able to produce adequate amounts of gastric juices,
making it a challenge to digest even the smallest amounts of food, resulting in nutrient
deficiencies and overexertion of other organs left to pick up the slack.

Avoid Drinking Fluids with Meals

The concentration of acid in the stomach is very important when it comes to the breaking down
of food. If we consistently drink water (or other liquids) with meals, we are diluting the
hydrochloric acid concentration. This is why we suggest not drinking large volumes of liquid
with food, 20-30 minutes prior to a meal, and about an hour after a meal. This will vary
depending on the individual, but if your stomach feels full, refrain from drinking until it has
emptied a bit.