What’s Eating You?

Summary

The article discusses the importance of monitoring both dietary intake and mental consumption for overall well-being.

Abstract

The author of the article emphasizes the significance of a holistic approach to health by considering not only the physical aspects of what one consumes but also the mental "food" that can affect well-being. The author shares a personal journey of eliminating certain foods from their diet and observes a connection between mental inputs, such as news, social media, and negative interactions, and their impact on mental health. The article suggests that just as one might watch their intake of fats or sugars, it is equally important to regulate the consumption of negative mental stimuli, advocating for practices like meditation to purge and reprogram the mind. The author encourages readers to consider this broader perspective on health as they set lifestyle goals for the year, highlighting the potential for long-term mood improvements by managing both physical and mental diets.

Opinions

The author believes that mental inputs, like the food we eat, can have a profound impact on our health and should be monitored with care.
Negative mental stimuli, such as a continuous news cycle, social media comparisons, and combative reality TV, can internally consume an individual, leading to mood changes or outbursts.
The article suggests that a "mental diet" is as crucial as a physical one and that limiting exposure to negative influences while incorporating positive practices like meditation can lead to better mental health.
The author posits that the phrase "You are what you eat" extends beyond physical sustenance to include the thoughts and information we consume.
There is an emphasis on the importance of balancing

What’s Eating You?

This year, I eliminated meat, refined sugar, gluten, and non-organic foods from my diet. I feel better and am experiencing healing benefits. We often hear so much about what we eat — from the medicinal properties of good foods to the harmful prosperities of bad ones.

However, as Erykah Badu stated in Apple Tree, it is not just the food you eat; it is the “food for thought” we have to be concerned about, as well.

What we allow to penetrate our minds can have just as much effect on us as the food we eat. The news, negative words spoken about you, or worry can consume you, eat away at you, and rob you of your peace.

What’s eating you?

Just like we monitor our diets by watching our fat, sugar, or calorie intake or limiting our carbohydrates, we must monitor the “food for thought” we allow in our minds.

The continuous news cycle of all that is wrong in the world, seeing everyone on social media celebrate the holidays with family while you sit with your dysfunctional family, or combative reality tv are all things that can eat away at you internally — whether you realize it or not.

You eat these intangible “foods” and internalize them. Internally, they begin to eat you. What eats you consumes you. Over time, it grows in you, and it comes out in long-term mood changes or short-term mood swings and outbursts.

What’s eating you?

So, as you make your lifestyle goals for 2022, which for many include diet and exercise for physical benefits, be sure you include a diet that provides mental benefits, which may include limiting your tv, news, and social media intake and instead incorporating meditation to purge and reprogram the mind.

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