Slow living food choices – becoming more aware of what I eat

Over the past few years, I have become more intentional about my food choices. Not in a restrictive way, but in a mindful one. It is about awareness rather than perfection.

I have started paying closer attention to what is actually in the products I buy. Many packaged foods contain additives that are easy to overlook, yet not always beneficial for our bodies. This is where the Yuka app has become a quiet companion in my daily life. It helps me understand ingredients more clearly and make better-informed decisions without overcomplicating things.

This small habit has shifted the way I shop. I pause more. I read labels. I choose differently.

Growing a small garden, growing awareness

There is something deeply grounding about growing your own food, even if it is just a small selection.

In our garden, we grow strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. During the warmer months, I love stepping outside and picking a handful of fresh fruit. It feels simple, yet incredibly rewarding.

We also grow vegetables like tomatoes, courgettes, and paprika, alongside herbs such as basil, chives, thyme, mint and parsley. These small additions bring so much flavour to our meals, but also a sense of connection. You become more aware of seasons, of growth, of patience.

Food tastes different when you have seen it grow.

Supporting local, one choice at a time

Another shift I have been embracing is buying more local products. It feels like a natural extension of slow living – choosing quality, supporting communities and reducing the distance between producer and consumer.

Last month, during one of our weekend hikes with our dog, we explored the area of Bilzen-Hoeselt. Surrounded by open landscapes and quiet trails, we stumbled upon something unexpected: Bar Bloei.

It is a vibrant pop-up summer bar set in the middle of the meadows, a place where time seems to stretch a little longer. What stood out to me most was their offering of local products. I tried an apple-cherry juice from De Fruithoeve, freshly made and full of flavour. It was simple, pure and honestly one of the best juices I have ever tasted.

That moment stayed with me. It reminded me that good food does not have to be complicated. Often, it is about going back to what is local, seasonal and real.

Choosing better, not perfect

I do not believe in doing everything perfectly. There are still moments when convenience wins and that is okay.

For me, it is about balance. About making better choices when I can – choosing fewer additives, growing a little of my own food and supporting local farmers when possible.

These small decisions add up. They shape not only what we eat, but how we feel about what we eat.

A gentle reflection

Being mindful of food is not about strict rules or limitations. It is about reconnecting – with your body, with nature and with the people who grow what you eat.

And perhaps, it is also about finding joy in the small things: a handful of berries from your garden, a glass of local juice in the middle of a meadow, a meal prepared with care, a slow living philosophy to food.

So I am curious – do you often buy locally and if so, which products do you love most?