The Transformative Power of Saying Grace and Eating Mindfully

As a health coach and a mother of three, my journey took an unexpected turn when my daughter Cheyenne decided to deepen her relationship with God by being baptized as an adult. While it didn’t make any sense on paper for me to fly across the ocean, rent a car, book a hotel, etc. for a relatively short event, I knew this was one of those moments I wouldn’t want to miss. The baptism itself was profound and worth its own blog. It might even be a collaborative effort with Cheyenne. I will have to ask her. 

For today I want to focus on the meal that followed her baptism. What unfolded during that brunch started me on a journey of incorporating a new, mindful eating practice that has since made a tremendous difference. Let me explain:

Following the baptism, my daughter and I gathered with her friends for brunch. After standing in line for what felt like an eternity, we finally sat down; I was starving and ready to dig into the delicious food in front of me. Before I could, Cheyenne’s boyfriend asked if he could say a blessing. In a restaurant. Surrounded by people. I was shocked and also intrigued.

I got the sense that for all of the young people at the table, this was a non-event. Something they just do. Impressive, right? He was saying grace in a new and refreshing way that I was very unfamiliar with. A mix of prayer and gratitude while including everyone sitting at that table.  After he finished I not only felt more connected in the conversations that followed, but I actually felt more nourished both spiritually and physically through the food we shared. I was amazed.  The next morning when I had brunch with Cheyenne in a restaurant, she asked if it was okay for her to say a blessing over our food and I agreed. Once again, I felt so much more connected not only to her but more importantly to God. I couldn’t help but smile when I realized how the tables have turned and I am now learning from my daughter.

Two short days later, I sat down in front of my yogurt and cereal in our condo in Saratoga Springs, pondering whether or not I should say a blessing. Looking at my meal, it was a little meek and I didn’t really know what to do. Should I speak out loud? Do I just think it? I’m glad that I decided to speak out loud; I got to hear myself being grateful for the food in front of me and the way it would nourish my body. 

Growing up, we never said grace or a blessing over our food, but today things are so different. I have seen the benefits of slowing down, being grateful, and connecting with myself spiritually and physically frequently throughout the day firsthand. Aside from my personal experience, here are a few benefits of saying grace and eating more mindfully:

1.) Enhanced Connection

Saying grace over a meal brings people together, fostering a sense of unity and connection. Whether it’s with family, friends, or strangers, starting off the meal with this practice will encourage intentional conversation which in turn leads to more mindful eating. 

2.) Improved Digestion

Mindful eating promotes better digestion as it allows you to be more deeply in tune with signals from your body. When you pay more attention to signals such as fullness, it can reduce the likelihood of habits such as overeating. 

3.) Stress Reduction

Taking a few moments throughout your day to express gratitude can alleviate stress and create a more positive attitude towards what’s in front of you. By saying grace, you can create your own mindful eating environment no matter where you physically are.

4.) Spiritual Nourishment

Incorporating grace into meals provides an opportunity for spiritual nourishment. If you practice faith, this is a great way of helping you stay connected with this aspect of your identity throughout the day.

Given the profound impact that this experience has had on my health journey, I’ve decided to share some strategies for saying grace and eating mindfully with you below:

1.) Start Small

As with all habits, it’s best to ease yourself into saying grace. Begin by incorporating this practice into just one meal a day. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, find a time once a day for you to express gratitude in your own way for the nourishment you’re about to receive.

2.) Create Routine

Habits are more likely to stick if they are consistent. Establish a routine around saying grace. This could involve you holding hands with your loved ones, closing your eyes, or incorporating specific phrases each time that resonate with you.

3.) Mindful Eating Practices

The only person who can control whether you eat mindfully is you! By engaging all of your senses, you can eat mindfully regardless of your surrounding environment. During your meals, take a moment to appreciate the colors, textures, and flavors of your food. Chew slowly, savor every bite, and stay in tune with signals from your body.

4.) Technology-Free Meals

Keeping technology away from your meals is the most effective way of making them a mindful experience. Disconnecting from screens allows you to be fully present, fostering a deeper connection with your own body, the people around you, and the nourishment before you. Consider making mealtime a sacred, technology-free zone.

When I flew to Michigan to see Cheyenne’s baptism, I knew I was going to come out of it with something. I never would have predicted that I would fly home with a discovery to share with all of you. What initially seemed like an unfamiliar practice has become a transformative ritual that enriches my daily life in many ways. As a health coach and a mother, I would encourage you and your family to explore this simple yet profound practice. Until you try, you may never experience the benefits of deeper connections, improved well-being, and a more mindful approach to nourishment.

In addition to my personal experience with mindful eating, I have had the opportunity to study fascinating research about this practice and many others that have transformed not only my clients’ but also my own health journey.

Check out my bio below to learn more about my professional experience and/or schedule a time to chat with me:

Claudia is an NBC-HWC Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, the owner of Vibrant Health by Claudia LLC  and Virtual Health Coaches LLC. She studied Health and Wellness Coaching at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition where she also completed courses in Gut Health, Hormone Health, and Advanced Coaching. She is a Havening TechniquesⓇ Certified Practitioner and certified 21-Day Sugar Detox Coach as well as a co-author of two Amazon Bestsellers “The Ultimate Guide to Creating Your Soul Aligned Business” and “The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Successful Soul Professional”.

To schedule a time for a free information call click here or join her Vibrant Health Power Community - a free Facebook Group - here. 

Additional Resources:

Saying grace does not have to be a religious practice; it’s about connecting with something beyond yourself and having an appreciation for everything that went into the preparation of the food you get to eat. Check out this article on the psychological benefits of saying grace from the Huffington Post to learn more: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/benefits-of-saying-grace_n_6200202#:~:text=Saying%20grace%20connects%20us%20with,people%20and%20to%20our%20environment. 

If saying grace does not sound like your thing, but you’re interested in including a mindful eating practice into your daily routine, check out this blog about the psychological impact of having gratitude for your food and 5 other ways that this practice can look for you: https://www.wellandgood.com/gratitude-practice-before-eating-mindfulness/