Mindful eating is a way to connect with the food you're eating in an intuitive way
Most people tend to rush through their meals, eat on the go, or do other things while scarfing down their food. Half of the time we don’t notice how it tastes, the texture, or even what it consists of. That’s not eating well.
We eat because we are sad, depressed, bored, anxious or angry. What an emotionally charged meal!
What we need to focus on is what we’re doing: putting nourishment into our bodies because we need energy. Keeping that in mind, it is important to only concentrate on one thing during a meal: the food you are eating.
Pretend that you’re eating food you have prepared for the first time. Once you’ve sat down at the table (no standing or eating over the counter!), really take your time to discover what it is you taste.
Notice the texture, consistency and sweetness; actually feel it slide down your throat. This will slow down your bites, allow you time to chew thoroughly and make the whole experience something to savor.
You’ll notice that you’ll become full faster, as your digestion has time to catch up with your hunger signals, and the whole meal will be more satisfying.
It’s not about counting the portions on your plate or calories in the meal, but savoring each bite. You’ll then naturally wonder where the food came from and how it was prepared, giving you a whole new sense of awareness about what it is you actually put into your body.
You’ll notice that overeating that ice cream cake or bag of chips just isn’t as satisfying anymore because it doesn’t make you feel good. You’ll inevitably begin to want nutrient-rich foods that make you feel energized, instead of lethargic.
Appreciating the moments when you sit down and take that extra time for yourself and your health are priceless.
