• About
  • Work With Me
  • Blog
  • Contact

Inspired & Fabulous

  • Emotional Triggers Workbook
Health + Wellness

2 Eating Habits From The Sunnah That Revolutionized My Health

October 8, 2015

I know what you’re thinking “2 sunnahs that revolutionized my health – Girl that’s a BIG claim to make!!!” However, being a health – yoga – wellness junkie and life-long exercise freak, I can assure you that these two practices completely revolutionized my health. Way more than I could ever imagine.

Having immersed myself in nutrition and fitness books, documentaries, lectures  and blogs, adopting these 2 sunnahs made all the difference. I don’t say that lightly. You could be sipping on green juice all day long, feasting on roasted sweet potatoes, grilled crispy salmon and fresh cucumbers and baby tomatoes, but if you’ve overfed your stomach (even with the good stuff), you’ve defeated the purpose of eating healthy in the first place, haven’t you?

It took me a long time to realise that whilst what we eat is important (pure and halaal), how we eat is equally important. And that is what I learned from following these 2 sunnahs, so lets dive straight in!

1. Eating for 1/3 of your stomach (i.e. don’t overeat)

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

“Nothing is worse than a person who fills his stomach. It should be enough for the son of Adam to have a few bites to satisfy his hunger. If he wishes more, it should be: One-third for his food, one-third for his liquids, and one-third for his breath.” – Tirmidhi & Ibn Majah

This made such a huge difference to my health because even though I was eating healthy, organic, whole foods, cooking my meals from scratch, snacking regularly on raw cacao, chia seed protein balls, I was eating wayyy too much for my body. In fact as embarrassing as it sounds, my portion sizes were huge! Even though my plate was filled up with roasted veggies, raw salads, gluten free grains and healthy fats – it was much more than my body needed. As a result I would often feel tired, bloated and not to mention overly stuffed!

Allah, the Most High says: “O children of Adam, take your adornment to every mosque. Eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He does not like those who commit excess.” [Sûrah al-A`râf: 31]

Avoiding excessiveness and eating moderately for you body’s needs without craving more food or feeling deprived comes down to 2 steps:

1)Listening to your body

2)Eating from a place of abundance

Listening to your body:

As you begin to eat, check in with yourself. Eat slowly and take your sweet time. It takes about 15 – 20 minutes for your brain to register that your stomach is full. So if you scoff down  your meal without properly chewing your food, you don’t give your brain a fighting chance to even register that you’re full.

Eating from a place of abundance:

When something tastes good, we naturally want to eat more of it. Though what if you’ve had a slice of cake (gluten free, made from coconut flour and frosted cacao mousse of course 😉 ) but still want more? For myself, I tackle this in two ways:

1) If I’m really, really craving another bite of raw salted caramel slices or a batch of crispy sweet potatoes – hell yeah I’ll eat it! (bring it on!!) I’ll eat it with no regret or self punishment like ‘I’ll work out extra tomorrow to make up for the cake’ – No way! Instead trust that your body can perfectly deal with occasionally eating too much, be it healthy or not.

2) If I’m not totally craving the food and just wanting to eat a little extra for more pleasure, I reminded myself that I can ALWAYS have it later. The food is not going anywhere. This is part of adopting an abundance mindset. You can always have it later. In fact, save it for when your truly craving that cake because then it tastes better too. Remind yourself that there’s always enough to go around. Even if you don’t eat it right now (because your not hungry), it doesn’t matter because you will have it again very soon.

The moment you deprive yourself of the foods you crave, you begin this mind war – where you’ll eventually binge and stuff your face with food. However, if you follow this method of either ‘eat’ or ‘postpone’, you won’t feel deprived. You’re not restricting yourself from eating more than necessary, instead your simply allowing yourself to eat everything you desire over a period of time versus all at once.

sunaheating

2.Sitting down whilst eating

Anas (may Allah be pleased with Him) reported that Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade that a person should drink while standing. Qatada reported: “We said to him: What about eating?” Thereupon he (Anas – may Allah be pleased with Him) said: “That is even worse and more detestable.” – Muslim

Let me tell you the incident on how I finally embodied this sunnah into my life, despite hearing it many times before from Alimiyyah classes and from several nutritionists/health coaches.

It was quite a busy day, I remember feeling overwhelmed and all over the place. I spent the whole day gazing around, munching on bits of food here and there. Never actually sat down to enjoy a proper meal. Just running in and out of the kitchen, hoovering over the table top and nibbling on food. Opening up the fridge, inhaling a scoop of yoghurt and then shutting the fridge door and continuing with my day. Mind you, despite snacking all day I never felt satisfied.

At night, I FELT the difference. I felt awful. I kept telling myself ‘what am I doing this?’ After that day, I made a concious decision to always sit down and eat my meals. Always. It makes such a difference. In fact, it makes all the difference. This was the last piece to the jigsaw puzzle of radiant health. By adopting this practise, I healed my relationship with my food.

sunnaheating-

If your unsure about adopting this habit, here are a few benefits of sitting down whilst eating:

-You’re in a relaxed state. As a result, you eat slower (and fewer) and actually take the time  to appreciate each bite.

-It’s an act of self respect. Give yourself the dignity of sparing 10 minutes, to cancel other commitments and focus on nourishing your body.

-You prevent mindless snacking, which leads to weight gain and feeling horrid about body.

-You feel satisfied after a meal. You’re less likely to crave sugary treats or savoury snacks because you mind has registered that you’ve eaten and reached satiety.

-Makes you more attuned to your level of hunger and satisfaction. Do you stop eating when your full or when the TV program finishes? Do you only realise that you’ve consumed an entire packet of Walkers crips after the film ends? If yes, then you need to remove all distractions when eating and focus entirely on the plate in front of you.

-It’s an act of self love. This might sound a little cheesy but I really believe that sitting down and honouring your meal is an indirect way of honouring yourself. It’s a way of showing that you appreciate and love your body, so much that you treat it with respect.

By following these two habits on ‘how’ I was eating and not just ‘what’ I was eating, I quickly saw a huge improvement in my health and well-being. It amazes me at how simple yet highly effective these habits are. Now it’s over to you Beautiful – how do you intend on applying these Sunnahs into your life? What Prophetic eating habits are you currently implementing and what effect has it had on your health and well-being?

Share your insights with me and hundreds of other women in the comments below. Your insights are hugely inspirational and beneficial to us all.

signarure2If you are interested in more ways to nourish your temple and feel good in your body, check out these articles:

– How I feel Good In My Body

– The Power Of Beauty + 7 Natural Beauty Secrets (that actually work!)

– I Followed My Heart And It Led Me To The Fridge – Emotional Eating Part 1

– 7 Ways To Look beautiful Naturally

  •  

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

  1. Ramadan 2018 says

    May 31, 2018 at 8:53 am

    Masha these are really very good manners of eating, thanks for sharing great knowledge.

    Reply
    • Inspired & Fabulous says

      June 29, 2018 at 5:04 pm

      Aah jazakillah khair, so glad it was of benefit x

      Reply
  2. Aafia says

    February 21, 2017 at 7:30 am

    Masha Allah ! Nice Blog

    Reply
    • Inspired & Fabulous says

      February 22, 2017 at 9:49 am

      Jazakillah Khair 💗

      Reply
  3. Aisha says

    January 19, 2017 at 8:45 pm

    Great tips! We really need to implement what we’re taught from the Quran and sunnah. May Allah aid us. Jazaakillah khair for sharing!

    Reply
    • Inspired & Fabulous says

      January 22, 2017 at 6:56 pm

      Ameen 🙂 BarakAllah fee for stopping by 💖💖💖💖

      Reply
  4. Suhaila says

    October 26, 2015 at 12:21 am

    Great tips and such beneficial reminders! Love this post 🙂

    Reply
  5. Hafsa says

    October 24, 2015 at 8:17 pm

    Thank you for this informative article <3

    Reply
  6. Abida says

    October 20, 2015 at 10:36 am

    It’s so true subhanAllah, if we were to follow the sunnah more we would all be a lot healthier!

    Reply
    • Inspired & Fabulous says

      October 20, 2015 at 4:53 pm

      Yup! You summed it up 😉

      Reply
  7. BritDeshiMummy says

    October 18, 2015 at 12:05 pm

    “Take care of your health before sickness” I have written an article relating to this sunnah called “5 simple steps to a healthier you” on my blog! Little changes really to make a big difference!

    Reply
    • Inspired & Fabulous says

      October 18, 2015 at 4:37 pm

      Thank you so much for sharing 🙂

      Reply
  8. umm asiya says

    October 18, 2015 at 12:42 am

    Mashaa allah, this is wonderful. I am going to print this out and place it on the fridge. I need this reminder in my face ?

    http://www.themuslimahguide.com

    Reply
    • Inspired & Fabulous says

      October 18, 2015 at 4:38 pm

      Awwww that’s so cute! Hope it helps inshaAllah 🙂

      Reply
  9. Gemma Elizabeth says

    October 17, 2015 at 12:50 am

    Subhanullah! Such a great reminder of the wisdon of the Sunnah. Alhumdulillah!I definately need to work on all these points. Jzk.

    Reply
    • Inspired & Fabulous says

      October 18, 2015 at 4:39 pm

      JazakAllah for reading!

      It’s a beautiful journey that we’re all ‘working’ on – hope it goes well for you 🙂

      Reply
  10. Sara says

    October 16, 2015 at 8:13 pm

    The best advice is always from the Sunnah. Thanks for sharing how you implemented it.

    Reply
    • Inspired & Fabulous says

      October 18, 2015 at 4:40 pm

      And jazakAllah for reading ❤️‍

      Reply
  11. Amina Edota says

    October 16, 2015 at 4:13 pm

    Alhamdulillah,

    its great that we have a Sunnah rich enough to set us up for the best lifestyle ever, yet open source and affordable enough for all to access.

    The hadith I often remember is that in which the Prophet (saw) taught a young boy the manners of eating in 3 simple sentences; O young boy, say Bismillah, eat with your right hand and eat from right in front of you.*[not exact translation]*

    As much as I like reminding the young ones about this hadith, I love reminding myself – especially to start with a Bismillah. It makes the entire eating process more intentional.

    Jazaakillah for sharing.

    Reply
    • Inspired & Fabulous says

      October 18, 2015 at 4:42 pm

      Yes! Taking a moment before you eat to say bismillah and appreciate the food by thanking Allah for it, before you begin is such a peaceful and calming way to mindfully eat. It makes such a difference.

      JazakAllah for sharing your input 🙂

      Reply
  12. Foz says

    October 16, 2015 at 10:52 am

    Great tips! I think we can easily forget the 1/3 rule ( I know I do) but you feel so much better if you follow it

    Reply
    • Inspired & Fabulous says

      October 18, 2015 at 4:43 pm

      Absolutely, eating for 1/3 does wonders for making you feel light and happier afterwards too.

      jazakAllah for reading 🙂

      Reply
  13. Samar says

    October 16, 2015 at 9:33 am

    Tabarak Allah. We are really blessed as Muslims to have the Sunnah as a guide to how we live. If only we implement it more we would be the healthiest people on the planet!

    Reply
    • Inspired & Fabulous says

      October 18, 2015 at 4:44 pm

      Ha! Absolutely! If we truly followed the Sunnah, we would be the healthiest people on this earth – if only! 🙂

      Reply
  14. Karima says

    October 15, 2015 at 10:01 pm

    My worst habit with eating is that I eat too fast! I have to make an effort to east slow!

    Reply
    • Inspired & Fabulous says

      October 18, 2015 at 4:46 pm

      Tip number two of sitting down whilst eating will massively help with eating slowly!

      Reply
  15. Ruku says

    October 15, 2015 at 7:58 pm

    I love these simple yet effective reminders jazakilla khayr!

    Reply
    • Inspired & Fabulous says

      October 18, 2015 at 4:47 pm

      JazakAllah for reading my love 🙂

      Reply
  16. saima faisal says

    October 14, 2015 at 6:02 am

    nice article and very informative 🙂

    Reply
    • Inspired & Fabulous says

      October 18, 2015 at 4:47 pm

      🙂

      Reply
  17. Haya says

    October 14, 2015 at 5:55 am

    Excellent article. I loved reading it.

    Reply
    • Inspired & Fabulous says

      October 18, 2015 at 4:47 pm

      Great to hear! Thanks for reading 🙂

      Reply
  18. Jameela says

    October 14, 2015 at 4:57 am

    The answer to every problem is in the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (s). Great reminder! Jzk

    Reply
    • Inspired & Fabulous says

      October 18, 2015 at 4:48 pm

      Absolutely, 100% agreed – all our solutions can be found in the Sunnah. Thanks for imparting your wisdom. ❤️‍

      Reply
  19. Fazeelah says

    October 13, 2015 at 8:11 pm

    Beautiful post. Such great reminders from our Nabi (saw) mashallah

    Reply
    • Inspired & Fabulous says

      October 18, 2015 at 4:49 pm

      Thank you for reading my love ❤️‍

      Reply
  20. Aaliyah says

    October 13, 2015 at 6:26 pm

    Some great tips along with the best advice – from the Sunnah. Thanks for sharing. 🙂

    Reply
    • Inspired & Fabulous says

      October 18, 2015 at 4:50 pm

      Thanks for reading ❤️‍ And absolutely the best and most impeccable advice is given from the Sunnah.

      Reply
  21. myda says

    October 13, 2015 at 10:44 am

    Asalamolikum Umme Hafsa,
    Great to read this,definitely Health lies in Prophet’s Sunnah.
    Being health conscious u will also enjoy this.
    http://ummeummah.blogspot.com/2015/09/10-tips-to-boost-your-daily-routine.html

    Reply
    • Inspired & Fabulous says

      October 18, 2015 at 4:51 pm

      Wa Aleikum Salam 🙂
      Thank you so much for reading and sharing your wisdom. Will definitely check out the article. xxx

      Reply
  22. myda says

    October 13, 2015 at 10:43 am

    Asalamolikum Umme Hafsa,
    Great to read this,definitely Health lies in every Prophet’s Sunnah.
    Being health conscious u will also enjoy this.
    http://ummeummah.blogspot.com/2015/09/10-tips-to-boost-your-daily-routine.html

    Reply
Previous How I Feel AMAZING In My Body (+ How You Can Too )
Next The Power Of Beauty + 7 Natural Beauty Secrets (that actually work!)
Desperation is a form of ingratitude to Allah.⁣ Desperation is a form of ingratitude to Allah.⁣
⁣
It’s you saying with your heart and energy, that this moment isn’t enough. That you need more because what Allah has given you in this moment is not enough. That’s the energy of desperation. This external need for something out there to happen for you to feel calmer within.⁣
⁣
Desperation (when it’s not genuine) doesn’t work. It creates a distance between you and your duas because all your focusing on is lack - that it’s still not here yet. It creates a distance between you and your heart - your mind becomes clouded with the thoughts of fear and lack. That you desperately need this thing to happen for your life to feel complete. As though what Allah has decreed for you isn’t enough. ⁣
⁣
Step into 2 things:⁣
⁣
𝟷. 𝘈𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 ✨⁣
⁣
Yes you may not be where you’d imagined by now but what else can you do? Acceptance is acknowledging your feelings, letting yourself feel the disappointment, anger, hurt but submitting and surrendering to Allah. Yes it hurts but Allah does not abandon His creation.⁣
⁣
You are not here for no purpose. This season in your life serves a spiritual/ emotional lesson, a means of healing that will support you in many times to come, even though you may not see it now.⁣
⁣
Through acceptance, you stop desperately trying to run away from the emotional pain of your current situation.⁣
⁣
𝟸. 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘉𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘛𝘰 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 💗⁣
⁣
You’re safe to be here. This moment is not lacking in any way because you haven’t achieved your goals or your duas are not here yet.⁣
⁣
Come back to your heart and step into the truth of this moment. It’s coming back to the knowing that...⁣
⁣
“Hold on a second, this moment is beautiful too. This moment is precious too.”⁣
⁣
You give to your heart what you need most from out there. Keep drawing your attention within. Come back to you. When your duas + dreams come to pass, it will be a beautiful moment of joy and peace but this moment is beautiful too - because Allah has decreed it for you. ⁣
⁣
In that state of wholeness, self-love, inner reassurance, things work out much, much faster and easier when you’re not suffocating the process 💗Continued below...
This magical practice will change your life ✨⁣ This magical practice will change your life ✨⁣
⁣
Every day spend 10 to 15 minutes or so coming back into your heart. In those minutes, close your eyes (if possible) and draw your attention within. Connecting to your heart. Listening to what's happening within. Acknowledging whatever your heart is carrying today. As you bring awareness to the state of your heart, wrap it up with acceptance and gratitude. ⁣
⁣
Are you yearning to be appreciated? Lean into that. Accept it for what it is. ⁣
⁣
Is your heart bursting with love? Wrap it up in immense gratitude to Allah. Feeling it but not getting swept up by it. ⁣
⁣
Did someone hurt you and you can't get over it? Yeah honey, you're allowed to feel that way. When you allow yourself to feel without any judgement or mind chatter, it begins to weaken. ⁣
⁣
Do you recall the story of the Sahabi who was promised jannah for purifying his heart (from negative feelings) every night? Awe-inspiring, right? 💖⁣
⁣
Coming into your heart, staying present in this moment is a deep form of surrendering to Allah. You're nowhere else but here. You're making peace with all that is within instead of running, avoiding, numbing or distracting yourself from it. ⁣
⁣
Here's what so incredible, when you attend to your own heart, you stop looking for external reassurance. You feel no need to shout it on Instagram because you've validated what was within. ⁣
⁣
You feel no need for people around you to step up because you've stepped up for yourself. Other people honouring your boundaries is not nearly as important as you honouring your own heart's needs. ⁣
⁣
Those 10 to 15 minutes to yourself is so powerful and transformative. You find within what you were searching for out there. That's how you become magnetic to all of your desires and more ✨⁣
⁣
P.s. Have a look at my new 'Emotional Triggers" workbook to have a solid practise and guide to work through uncomfortable emotions. The wound is the place where the light enters you (Rumi)💖 It's for you to find it ✨Link in the bio💃🏻
⁣ 3 Ways To Stop Obsessing Over It ✨ ⁣ ⁣ 1 ⁣
3 Ways To Stop Obsessing Over It ✨ ⁣
⁣
1. Keep your self-love on point 💁🏻‍♀️💅🏻You can’t call in love/ miracles/ joy/ abundance if you’re hanging out in fear town. When you’re stuck in doubt/ fear/ lack, that’s all you become available for. There’s literally no room for love and abundance to come your way because you’re unconsciously committed to staying where you are. ⁣
⁣
2. Make yourself a priority ✨ You are your number one. Soo cheesy, right? 😆 When you drop yourself at the expense of others, you abandon yourself. In doing so, you chase and obsess over things/people to fill that void within but instead you’re left feeling drained, hopeless and depleted. Your self abandonment is being heightened, amplified and reflected back to you.⁣
⁣
3. What brings you joy? What makes you feel whole again? 💗 Nourish your heart and soul, because when you do you stop waiting and chasing things and people to give you that. In filling yourself up, you’re able to drop the neediness and surrender. And surrendering is the key to becoming magnetic to your desires ✨For every miracle you hear, there is always a moment of deeply surrendering and handing it over to Allah 💖⁣
⁣
P.s I have a few Soul Sessions available this week, if you’d like to book in a 60 minute coaching call + 2 weeks of voice note and email coaching, message me for more info 😘⁣
Without surrendering to Allah, you can't move forw Without surrendering to Allah, you can't move forward ✨💗⁣
⁣
Without surrendering to Allah, you keep reacting to your current reality. You keep trying to meddle with the process. Or figure out the 'how'. But it was never your place to know how it'll happen. ⁣
⁣
For you to up-level to the next stage of your life, stop reacting to your current one. Emotionally stop feeding into what you don't want. ⁣
⁣
For that to happen, surrender to what Allah has decreed for you. When you accept the fear, it loses it's hold over you. There’s something in this moment for you. ⁣
⁣
Some of the hardest moments of my life, where followed by some of the happiest moments. Because in that despair, you're able to find the strength of your own self-love. ⁣
⁣
The moment you stop fighting your reality/ wishing it was different is the moment you can take on the lessons from it. The moment you stop fighting it is the moment you can choose something new. The moment you stop wishing it was different is the moment you can step into what you do want. Instead of fighting the old, you focus on building the new.⁣
⁣
But it starts with surrendering to Allah. Not sweeping it under the rug. Not pretending it's not there by wishful thinking. ⁣
⁣
It's saying "Okay, Allah this really, really hurts but I can surrender. I can accept it even if every part of me resists it."⁣
⁣
To move forward, surrender. You can't build something new if you keep fighting with the past. You can't build something new if your stuck in the fear/ lack/ despair of your current situation. ⁣
⁣
Always remember: ⁣
⁣
+ There's something in this moment for you ✨Know that Allah would never put you in any situation expect that it serves you. It's here because it's soo necessary for your spiritual and emotional growth. ⁣
⁣
+ Allah will still bring you closer to your desires through it ✨ This isn't the end. Surrendering to Allah is not giving up. It's accepting this current moment so that you can free yourself from the pain surrounding it and step into something new. You've got to surrender, to move beyond it. It's knowing that this moment is a stepping a tone, a bridge of events not your permanent destination. ⁣
⁣
Continued below...
Delays in your duas are wonderful opportunities of Delays in your duas are wonderful opportunities of healing ✨⁣
⁣
See, it's not just about getting what you prayed for. Allah could make that happen instantly. You wouldn't have to wait. But there's a purpose behind every delay. An opportunity of healing.⁣
⁣
How many people have you seen receive their dreams only for it to be the reason of their self-destruction?⁣
⁣
Every delay serves a purpose - maybe it's so that you appreciate it fully for when it comes. Maybe it's calling you to heal the heaviest parts of your soul, the pain lingering from the past and societal conditioning that are taking you away from what you want. Maybe the wait is polishing your heart from attachment and need to none other than Allah.⁣
⁣
If you're in the middle of a delay, what is this opportunity creating space for? What does Allah want from you? What are you ready to step into? What is this space (this delay of your dua) calling you towards? ⁣
⁣
Allah has something in this moment for you💗You are never left empty ✨⁣
What happens when you make dua but you see the com What happens when you make dua but you see the complete opposite happening?✨⁣
⁣
This is a question that I've received many times. Do you keep making dua against all odds? When do you give up? I'm going to break it down for you as much as possible...⁣
⁣
1) The State Of Your Heart Matters Most 💗⁣
⁣
I can't tell you how many stories I've heard of women making dua "...please Allah don't let him get married again/ don't let him cheat on me/ if this is going to hurt me, don't give it to me..."⁣
⁣
Guess what happens?⁣
⁣
Yeah...the exact opposite, the very thing that you feared and desperately held onto. What you're saying with your tongue is also as important as the state of your heart in which you ask Allah.⁣
⁣
Have you ever looked up into the sky, your heart stirred with deep emotions, misty-eyed. You didn't have to say a word but Allah heard you. Sometimes before you're even able to process those feelings into words, Allah answers your callings. That's the power of your intention and tapping into the state of your heart⁣
⁣
You can't be saying with your tongue what your heart doesn't believe to be true. Words are easy - it's easy to say "... but I trust Allah, but I made dua". But does your heart align with that? Is your faith in Allah being carried through your thoughts, feelings and actions?⁣
⁣
2) Release Attachment/ Neediness ✨⁣
⁣
Attachment to the outcome is what keeps you stuck in your current circumstance. Its when you place your dua on a pedestal. Believing that once you get what you prayed for, you're no longer going to feel this pain. It's when your riddled with anxiety, resistance and fear. It's when your actions say "Allah, what you've given me today isn't enough, I need X to happen to stop feeling this pain/lack".⁣
⁣
When you come from a place of ingratitude to Allah, it's no surprise that things aren't working out. When you place your dua on such a pedestal ( ie. a specific person/ wanting a child/ income and lifestyle goals etc.) that you forget how beautiful and equally precious the rest of your life is.⁣
⁣
You're attached to the fear of it not happening. When so much of your heart and energy is invested in fear... keep reading below ✨
Copyright © 2021 Inspired & Fabulous
Theme by SheShoppes