5 Tips To Mindful Eating
When it comes to eating, mindfulness is probably not the first thing on you think of. The truth is, most of us just eat without really thinking at all. That’s not really a shocking statement to make. However, when you consider that being more mindful of your eating can prevent binge eating and overeating, you may want to adopt mindful eating principals.
Becoming mindful eater is easier said than done, but here are five tips to get you started in the right direction.
1. Remember that food should be savored
Taking the time to enjoy each meal is one of best ways to achieve your goal weight and even boost your appreciation for food. Look at it like this, when you get lost in an activity (such as watching TV or hanging out with friend) you lose the focus you should be using to concentrate on each meal. When you focus on your meal in that moment, you’re more likely to realize once you have become full. As a result, you’re preventing yourself from overeating and gaining weight.
2. Check in with yourself
Before you just grab something to eat, ask yourself how hungry you are. Are you truly hungry or just bored? Snacking out of boredom is a tough habit to break, and leads to weight gain. On the flip side, if you are only snacking out of hunger, you will prevent overeating and gaining extra pounds. Of course, choosing healthy snacks is crucial. Don’t just grab a bag of chips!
3. Eliminate technology
We live in a technology-driven world where it’s socially acceptable to text, send or respond to emails and binge on social media—all while enjoying a three-course meal. But you don’t have to let yourself fall victim to this bad habit. This is also referred to as “mindless eating.” People who engage with technology during a meal or snack while they watch a movie often consume more than they need. If you can’t live without a snack at the movie theatre, consider purchasing something healthy instead of popcorn and candy.
4. Appreciate the flavors of each meal
In today’s busy world, we don’t always have time to sit down and enjoy each meal in the way it was intended. When you make a conscious effort, however, to take just a minute out of each meal to pay attention to the flavors of your favorite dish or afternoon snack you will learn to appreciate the food on your plate. Lastly, focusing on the flavors of a healthy dish vs. artificial junk food, for example, may help you make healthier meal choices.
5. “Connect” with your food
Mindfulness is about developing a relationship to food. Try making things on your own or planting vegetable in a garden. You don’t have to do make anything too complicated. Start with something like your own oat power balls rather than just buying boxed granola bars from the store. This will allow you to better connect and make food your own. Another tip would be to go to a farmer’s market for locally grown produce so you can see where your food is coming from. These connections allow for greater appreciation for the food you are eating.
Consider these mindful eating tips as part of your health and nutrition program. Nutrition, like most things we do, requires a mental component to allow for greater success. Practicing these tips can make a huge difference in how you approach eating and allow for a healthier, more satisfying lifestyle!