Mindful eating is a topic that really sparks my interest. It is a relatively simple concept, yet often it is incredibly difficult to master.
It basically has to do with being in the moment. I feel this is important for all life experiences, but can be beneficial to your mental wellness AND your waistline when it comes to eating.
One of my professors in grad school was really into this movement. We had several sessions where he went through some of his exercises with us.
We each got a carrot, a section of orange and a piece of chocolate. We took several minutes to eat each one, concentrating on the flavor and texture.
It is amazing how much more satisfying food can be when you are focused on it. I find this to be the case especially with chocolate.
I enjoy chocolate almost on a daily basis. I try to keep it dark in variety and only have a square or two. If I stay focused while eating it I am satisfied with just a little.
It is easier for me to practice mindful eating with real food. Since we tend to buy fake foods for convenience or when we are on the go, there were many times I would look down at the granola wrapper on my desk and couldn’t for the life of me remember when I had taken that last bite.
When I cook fresh foods I make more of an effort to enjoy them because of the work I just put into making it. Quiet restaurants are also supportive of more mindful eating for me.
On another note, I have to practice mindful selecting too. It has taken a lot of effort for me to stop before I grab something when I am hungry or shopping and evaluate if it is what I consider a fake food. If I think more about it, I’m much more liked to grab something fresh instead.
I’ve gotten to know myself well enough over the past few years that I can literally sense the change in my patterns as stress creeps up while I’m eating. Either I’m working on a difficult project, talking about stressful matters with my husband over dinner or I’m in a noisy atmosphere.
At these moments I catch myself shoveling the food in without thought.
I have to remember to put the fork down and taste. When I don’t taste, I don’t enjoy and I’m left feeling unsatisfied which leads to all sorts of bad snacking habits later on.
I am glad that I am able to recognize this in myself, but it is definitely an ongoing challenge to stay in the moment when it comes to eating and choosing food.
Do you have any challenges when it comes to mindful eating? Do you feel it is an important component for health?
Photo courtesy of Free Range Stock
I’ve never really thought about “mindful eating,” but it really is important. I’m a lot more likely to really enjoy my food – and less likely to overeat – if I mindfully eat it. Sadly, it’s hard to remember or even care to mindfully eat your food with outside distractions or a busy schedule. Thanks for the reminder!
It is definitely one of those easier-said-than-done kinds of things. I have to constantly remind myself and even then don’t always succeed. 🙂