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Food & Mindfulness

Can food and mindfulness really go together? Absolutely. Mindfulness begins with being in the moment when you sit down to eat and and paying attention to the taste and senses experienced when enjoying a meal. The more mindful you are of what and when you eat, the better control you will have over food and how it effects your health, weight and mentality.

  1. Attentive Eating

    • When sitting down to eat, pay attention to your food. Look at it. Taste it. Think about what is being put into your body. Slow down and think about how it taste, what it feels like on the tongue and how it makes you feel while you eat. Often food preparation takes a lot of time and work, so consider all that goes into a meal as you sit to enjoy it.

    Mindful Eating

    • Mindful eating requires careful consideration of what you are doing. According to the CAMP System website, when you sit at the table, take a minute to look at each item on the plate, how it's laid out and how it's presented as a whole. Smell the aromas wafting off the plate, and think about how they make you feel. While eating, consider how your body reacts, especially to hunger and when it feels full. As you tune in, you'll know when it's time to stop eating.

    Hurried Eating

    • Hurried eating occurs when we grab a bag from the drive-thru and eat while driving, or when we grab a snack from the fridge on our way out the door. Most overeating occurs when we are in a hurry and simply want a "quick-fix" to satiate our hunger when we don't wish to take the time and properly refuel the body. Avoid eating on the run, while reading or working. The mindless stuffing only causes more weight problems and the body never really feels "full."

    Proper Eating

    • The body is not equipped to properly digest large chunks of food. Experts say that chewing 30 times before swallowing aids in digestion. This also cuts down on after-meal stomach aches and a feeling of being stuffed. Other things to consider are posture while eating, such as sitting up straight and not slouching, eating slower and cutting food into smaller portions before eating. All help with digestion and healthier eating habits.

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