5 Reasons To Thank And Bless Your Meals Before Eating

Ever since I was a child, I watched my father take a moment to pray before he eats his meals. He doesn’t say words or recite a mantra. He simply touches his plate and his forehead and then his chest, all the while keeping his eyes shut. So, I really can’t say what words he uses to express his gratitude.

As for me, I never took the whole praying thing seriously until a few weeks ago. But now I take a moment to be grateful for the food I eat. Today, when I’m about three-decade-old, I realise how powerful it is to be thankful for the food on our plate. Food keeps us alive as do air and water. But if you want more reasons to be grateful for your meals, read on.

1. To appreciate how blessed you are to have food on your plate

If you get to eat three or more meals a day, you are fortunate. There are no second thoughts about it. If you are dieting and eat only twice, it is your choice and you have all the more reason to be grateful: you can choose to skip a meal or two while some others are forced to do it. So when you thank God or the higher power for the food, you acknowledge how blessed you are. And as we know, gratitude brings more of what you are grateful for.

2. To bless your food with positive energy

I am not religious but I am not an atheist. I believe in a higher power. I am exploring the power of energy: vibrations, healing, and all that stuff. Well, I have only studied the basics of Physics while in high school. That’s that. I am not capable of explaining this novel view on energy. But thinking good thoughts and exchanging good words with your family or loved ones while eating works very well for your mind and digestive system. It is plain and simple, thoughts affect everything that’s around us. You may also look up Masaru Emoto's study on how thoughts affect water. I am pretty sure you will be blown away.

3. To feel more satisfied and to be calm when the food is not up to the mark

I am human. I have a tongue. My tongue has taste buds, which means I have likes and dislikes when it comes to food. Mind you, I am very particular about food. So it becomes inconvenient for me when I have to eat idlis, dosas, and anything I like because of a lack of what I like. I eat nonetheless, but half-heartedly. Dissatisfaction defeats my ability to be grateful.

It is only natural that sometimes you may not like how something tastes or is cooked. But that’s alright. You can always add more salt or make up for whatever it is that you think the food lacks. You just don’t have to get worked up because something doesn’t please your taste buds. If you tend to go crazy and all out if such a thing happens, then simply being thankful for the food is what you should religiously start doing. I'll tell you why.

It dawned on me that when I felt good about the food I ate, I felt more satisfied and fulfilled. How can you feel good about what you don't like you ask? Remember, there's food on your plate. You can eat it and get a good night's sleep without going hungry or get all grumpy and.. you know what follows.

So going back to being grateful. When you take a moment to appreciate food, your mind is grateful and you don’t feel like complaining. At the most, you may make it known that the food lacks something but it won’t press your buttons. Well, I am no saint. I'd be a hypocrite if I say I have never made my dissatisfaction with how food tastes known at all.

Recently, I dined at this Karwari restaurant because I was craving seafood for a long time. The restaurant raised my expectations with fancy words. That is his job—to sell his food. He mentioned words like 'authentic' in such a passionate way, naturally, my anticipation of finally satisfying my craving intensified. When he finally served the food, my tastebuds were disappointed and my heart sighed. It wasn't authentic, not even a bit. I felt the restaurant didn’t justify the bucks I spent.

So I wrote a rather blunt review about it—not the food but the restaurant for not delivering what they promised. A few days later, I wished I hadn't written it. Food is food, and I had to be prepared for whatever they served me. I had no control over it. What I want to highlight here is that at times you will criticise the food but only out of habit. We have to remind ourselves that we know better.

4. Gratitude better prepares your digestive system

Ever noticed how a dog salivates on seeing its favourite treat? If you are not a dog person, at least you are 'your' person. Do you remember the times when the mere thought of your favourite food made you salivate? Yes, that’s your digestive system getting ready to digest food. Imagine how your internal processes—the ones you aren’t aware of—must rejoice then! That’s how taking a moment to be grateful for your food before eating aids your digestive system.

5. It makes you mindful and releases you from stress

Have there been meals that made you run to the washroom soon after consumption or maybe after a while? Were you stressed in those moments? Very likely. This happens because your mind is so occupied with your thoughts and worries that it doesn’t coordinate with your digestive system well. How do you expect to digest food then? But when you really look at the food and bless it, you become mindful and direct your mind to the now and release yourself from what’s eating you. Naturally, your digestive system becomes aware that it’s time to function and so it does.

Apart from this, being grateful and blessing your meals gives you a chance to really enjoy the texture and flavours of your food. We all love to relish food, right? At least I do. I am both proud (and not-so-proud sometimes) of being the last one to finish my food when dining in a group. I love to feel every bit of the food that goes in my mouth. But now I also am grateful for the food as it nourishes my body.

How to say thank you and bless your meals before eating them

Now that you know how being grateful for your food works wonders, here’s something to help you get started.

You don’t literally have to chant mantras and roll beads to bless your food. Just thank the Lord or Universe or a power you believe in. And don’t forget to thank the people who are involved in bringing the food to your plate. This includes the breadwinner, the homemaker, the cook, the farmer, the transporter, and others. If you feel this is a big task, simply say, “I am thankful for the food on my plate and to all those who have been instrumental in bringing it on my plate. Bless the food.”

Before I wind up, here’s a challenge for you, if you will. Bless your food and be grateful for it as often as you can. It may not seem to be an exciting thing to do yet, but what’s there to lose? Start with one meal a day and then scale it. May you find the time and willingness to do it. Also, avoid engaging in any other tasks when eating. I am guilty of watching series when eating, but I am working on not doing it. Let me know how this works for you :)