Mindful Eating

Have you ever thought about why you have your current eating habits? Maybe you like or dislike some foods because of a strong memory. Maybe you have a favorite food from your childhood that you find comforting. Perhaps you have eaten the same foods for as long as you remember and are not really open to trying new foods. Maybe a busy lifestyle causes you to consume what is easily accessible in a quick manner before moving on to the next task of the day. There is a plethora of reasons why you have your current eating habits.

Between our busy schedules and an overabundance of convenience, it is challenging to practice mindful eating. So what is this mindful eating I speak of? You may have seen the term “mindful eating” in your food/nutrition research or as a part of a diet regimen. Mindful eating is having an in the moment awareness of food and drink as you are presently consuming it. Mindful eating goes beyond just satisfying hunger or thirst. When practicing mindful eating, you acknowledge the look, taste, and texture of the item as you are consuming it. You contemplate and acknowledge your current mood and feelings you are experiencing while consuming the item. You can go as far as counting how many times you chew a food item when practicing mindful eating. Mindful eating affords you the opportunity to analyze your relationship with food and drink beyond its function of satisfying your hunger and thirst.

Mindful eating is a valuable exercise that can help you improve your diet, curtail overeating, and gain a better sense of self. There are many instances where we mindlessly consume food and drink without realizing it, such as eating in the car, eating while working, or eating while watching TV. We are more likely to overeat or consume more not so healthy items when we are distracted and not consuming items with a sense of mindfulness. Eventually, mindful eating may go beyond acknowledging your relationship with the food and drink you are presently consuming. Mindful eating may alter what your grocery store and restaurant purchases because you are more in tune with what you are consuming. Mindful eating may help alter your meal planning at home because you are now analyzing your food and drink consumption.

Some benefits of practicing mindful eating include:

• decreased digestion stress due to slowing down and enjoying the meal
• eating less calories because of slower chewing (it takes at least 20 minutes for your brain to tell your body you are full)
• making healthier food choices due to increased awareness of what you are eating
• learning more about yourself and your relationship with food
• increased pleasure from the taste and texture of foods

Do you think you could implement mindful eating into your lifestyle? Can you think of some instances where you have mindlessly consumed food and drink? Can you think of some other benefits of mindful eating not listed here?