Mindful Nourishment From a Taoist Perspective

Ancient traditions like Taoism don’t just view food as something to eat. The Taoist philosophy sees eating as a sacred exchange between the self and nature. It’s about tuning in and aligning your eating habits with the natural rhythms of the earth. 

According to a blog on The Book of Tao website, transform your everyday eating into a mindful ritual with Taoism by embracing balance, honoring the seasons, and transforming each meal into a moment of gratitude.

Eat Balanced
You probably recognize the yin yang symbol, a circle consisting of two black and white halves that swirl into each other. According to HowStuffWorks, this Taoist symbol provides a blueprint to explain how the natural world works. It provides a guide for everything from relationships and government to medicine and wellness. 

So, what does the yin yang symbol have to say when it comes to eating? It all comes down to balance. To maintain that internal well-being, you’ll want to make sure to get a well-balanced diet that consists of yin and yang foods. According to mindbodygreen, yang foods, associated with fire and produce heat in the body. They include foods like meat, seafood, starches, and spices. Yin foods relate to the element of water and have a cooling effect. They include fruits, vegetables, beans, and mushrooms. 

Keep in mind that, just like yin and yang, the systems in your body work interdependentally. Focusing your attention to one part of health, while neglecting another, can ultimately lead to imbalance. Restrictive eating patterns can lead to nutrient deficiencies. Instead, eat the Taoist way by consuming a variety of food types to get a broad spectrum of the nutrients your body needs to function at its best. 

Eat Seasonally
Taoism encourages eating seasonally to live in harmony with nature’s cycles and maintain inner balance. This involves consuming foods that are available during a particular season in your local region, reflecting the natural rhythms of the earth. Seasonal produce grows under optimal conditions; not only do they taste better, but they’re healthier, too!

Eating seasonally also maintains balance in the body. A blog on the Thinkmovement website explains that you can support your health throughout the year by eating foods that naturally balance energy with the current season. For example, eating warming, hearty foods like soup or stews can help balance internal energies during the cold winter season. Alternatively, the hot summer months call for light, hydrating foods, like fruits or salads.

Eat Mindfully
Toss your to-go containers and fast food out the door. Eating the Taoist way means taking the time to connect with your food through all your senses. Turn each meal into a meditation practice in which you focus your awareness on each bite, to savor every flavor, texture, and aroma, according to a blog on the Book of Tao. 

Begin each meal with a ritual. Take a few deep breaths to become centered and present. Clear your space of distractions, like your phone or TV, so you can concentrate on mindful nourishment. 

During each meal, make it a habit to cultivate gratitude for your food. Think of all those who worked hard to raise the animals, toil the soil, and ship ingredients from far away. This cultivates a greater connection with the source of life and the connectivity between you and the earth?

Eating slowly and mindfully, you simultaneously honor your hunger and fullness signals. This ensures balanced eating, so you listen to what your body needs and do not over indulge in unhealthy foods.