A Simple Prayer of Food

Dear God, help me break
My desire to eat too much.
Instead, let me eat and drink just enough
To be strong and fulfill Your will.

May I be worthy of sharing my food with guests,
Particularly those who are in need.
Protect me always from forbidden foods
Since they bring impurity to my soul.

Help me fulfill, dear God, the mitzvah
Of washing my hands for meals,
Which purifies my hands
And draws down Your holiness upon me.

May I please say the blessings before and after eating
With concentration and devotion.
Grant me the ability
To eat in holiness,
As this calms my mind
And allows me to be in charge of what I do.

Please God, when I eat,
Let me have You in my thoughts.
And then, through eating,
I can reach true understanding.

-Between Me and You