Mind Your Food: Why Eating Is Just Like Playing Tennis
Taste your food. Smell it. Enjoy it. One bite at a time.
I know what you’re thinking: "Who has time for that?"
You’re on a 20-minute lunch break. You’re scarfing down a salad while frantically scrolling Instagram or answering the email that’s been nagging you since 8:00 AM. Slowly chewing feels like a luxury you can't afford.
I get it. We live in a rush. But hear me out: your body plays by different rules.
The Tennis Secret
Aside from blogging, I play competitive tennis. Now, don’t picture me at Wimbledon—I’m a 2.5 USTA player. You won't see me playing against Coco Gauff anytime soon. (I’m too old, I’m not a pro, and honestly, I’m just playing to get my weekly cardio in!)
But tennis has taught me a crucial lesson: Every single point counts.
You don’t win a match all at once. You build it point by point, game by game, set by set. If you’re playing a point while thinking about winning the trophy, you lose the point.
Eating works the exact same way.
Digestion Starts in the Brain (Not the Stomach)
When you gulp down breakfast or lunch on autopilot, your brain misses the memo.
Digestion doesn't start in your stomach—it starts in your head and your mouth.
Ever walk into a restaurant and instantly start salivating?
That’s your brain signaling your mouth to produce saliva and your stomach to pump digestive acids.
When you inhale your food while multitasking, you rob your body of that setup time. The result? Sluggish digestion, bloating, and missing your body's "I'm full" signals.
Multi-Tasking is a Myth
Your brain literally cannot focus on two complex tasks at once. You can't read an email and truly taste your food, just like you can't hit a crisp forehand while daydreaming about dinner.
So, try this simple shift at your next meal:
Put your mind on your plate. Notice the textures and flavors. Is it sweet? Crunchy? Savory?
Ditch the timer. You don't need to count chews—just put intention into every bite.
Aim for 80% full. Give your brain time to catch up with your stomach (like waiting your turn at airport security!).
Stop rushing the match. Take a breath, drop the phone, and play one bite at a time.
Mind your food.
