What does it mean to eat mindfully? Mindful eating means paying attention to your actual eating experience – while at the same time enjoying it. It means submersing yourself fully into your meal, without multitasking. This can be tough especially in today’s fast-paced world.
Many studies have shown that eating while watching television or doing other activities at the same time can lead to an increase in calories consumed. The overall goal of mindful eating is to base your food intake on physical cues (i.e. hunger) versus emotional cues. Finding time to slow down during meals and enjoy the food you are eating is very important to developing a healthy lifestyle. Here are some important tips to incorporate mindful eating into everyday life.
- Eat slower. Take time to enjoy the food you are eating. Chew your food a little bit longer than you normally would. This will give your stomach time to tell your brain that it is full, and you might even taste new flavors.
- Enjoy silence. Eating does not necessarily have to be social hour. Meal time can be used as a time for reflection of the day or the upcoming week. Eating in silence may not work for families with children, but it can be a time to slow down from an otherwise fast-paced world.
- Shut off electronics like cell phones or the television. Life can be very hectic at times. Make an effort to turn off the TV and put cell phones down. You may even learn something new from a family member or friend from engaging in conversation.
- Take pleasure in the flavor of your food. When people are in a hurry, they tend to not notice what or how much they are eating. Take time to notice all the different flavors in food. This is the perfect time to try that new recipe that you have been dying to try.
Start today by trying mindful eating in your everyday life by preparing nutritious, delicious meals and then taking the time to sit down and enjoy your hard work with family or friends. Start thinking about how you eat, and that might even change what you want to eat – for the better!
Pecan-Chocolate Chip Whole-Grain Blondies
The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.