There is no disacknowledging, arguing or refuting the power of food on our minds, bodies, families, cultures and nations. True love for mothers, anticipation for children, poetry for chefs, nostalgia for travellers, history for nations, legacy for families, magnet for lovers, science for health conscious, art for bakers, life for some, experience for many…food is an everlasting harmony.

Traditionally, food has not just been a preserve of the palate, it has its special contribution on physical, emotional and mental health. It is also used as space cleanser, for embalming the bodies, in construction, in perfumes and the list is endless.

There is burgeoning information, data, research and analysis on the type of food and its effect on each organ, metabolism, ailments and lifestyle. The importance of food in our lives has inspired researchers, nutritionists and scientists to study its effect on psychology, behaviour and emotions. There is a whole new field of science.

Whilst, the data arms us with information such that we can make better choices, live healthier and mindful lifestyle, conflictingly it does not include the emotions. Eating is a very personal act, even though it may be in a family or social setting. Food is not just a mere preparation on a plate, it is adorned with feelings and associations of the situation, mood, person serving, aroma, age and so on. However insignificant in the moment, it sits in our memory for years. This is the secret behind comfort foods especially in the times of stress or pressure.

If a piece of chocolate brings your stress down then go back and check the saved files of your childhood when you were soothed by a candy. Warm French fries on a rainy day make happy memories. Customary family trips to the ice-cream parlour on a hot summer night anchor the wavering mind. Hence, we turn to ice-creams, chocolates and French fries.

Interestingly, we go back to the food, looking to recreate the feeling of satisfaction and happiness, however we lace the food we eat with guilt. The week is spent on feeling deprived being on a diet, looking forward to cheat days and feeling guilty the next day. Detesting the sugar, we put in our bodies yet looking for sweetness in life.

We end up cursing while counting calories and therefore, give more power to carbohydrates by trying not to think about them.

The food on the table carries the emotional energy of the person preparing it and that’s the reason why the same recipe may bring out different taste when prepared by different people. Why do we keep going back to the taste of food cooked by mothers, no matter how simple it is? Why certain restaurants or chefs dish out brilliance on the plates and palates? The feelings, intentions and passions behind cooking follow in the taste which touches the heart of the recipient.

The thoughts while eating the meal make a difference in the well-being. These may also affect the ailments and diseases. There is much wisdom and study in this area, for instance, lack of love and sweetness in life could be the reason behind diabetes.

These are areas to go deeper, find, explore and discover your own truth. For now, here are a few hacks you can employ to enhance your eating ritual.

1. Be in gratitude for the food on the table. You can say a quick ‘Thank you’ to the person who has prepared it and to the food itself

2. Be in a positive state of mind as what you consume is not just solid food, but feelings as well

3. If you don’t like the colour, aroma, presentation or even the food type on the plate just say in your mind that this food is what my body requires right now and that’s why it is here, manifested.

4. Be mindful of the taste while chewing.

5. If there is sweet on the table and you want to eat it but would like to avoid due to health reasons, take a spoonful and say “This is sweetness my body is craving and it will detoxify me”.

6. Give credit to the body for keeping you healthy, breaking down the food, absorbing the nutrition and eliminating toxins.

Consciously connect with the food, ingredients and offer them to your body with happiness and joy. As you do that, you will find more happiness in life and less stress, weight-loss worry or anxiety over ailments.

Find. Follow. Radiate the light within your body. It is much more powerful than you think.