I'm sure you've heard about mindful eating. Taking the time to sit and chew and really be present while eating. Why is it so hard to remember and actually practice doing?
How many times have you gobbled something down, usually chips, cookies or some other sugary or salty snack and then wonder how on earth you did that and why? The answer is distracted eating.
Food is such a big part of our enjoyment of life and pleasure, so why do we struggle so? The answer is distracted eating.
Sitting at a desk eating breakfast, lunch or dinner while working and/or eating and watching TV is a sure way to eat more than you need. Eating while distracted also detracts from the pleasure of actually tasting our food. And gobbling our food down while distracted ensures eating food in too great a quantity. It takes the brain about 20 minutes to know that you're stomach is full. Not too many people eat their meals in that span of time.
Food is such a big part of our enjoyment of life and pleasure, so why do we struggle so? The answer is distracted eating.
Sitting at a desk eating breakfast, lunch or dinner while working and/or eating and watching TV is a sure way to eat more than you need. Eating while distracted also detracts from the pleasure of actually tasting our food. And gobbling our food down while distracted ensures eating food in too great a quantity. It takes the brain about 20 minutes to know that you're stomach is full. Not too many people eat their meals in that span of time.
So what do you do? Here are some Mindful Eating Tips that can help you slow down and savor.
- Before you eat ANYTHING that is not breakfast, lunch or dinner, stop for 20 seconds and think. Do you really want what you are about to eat? Is there something else that is on your mind that is the source of your craving. Are you truly hungry and in need of a snack? Or do you need some fresh air? A phone call to your spouse, mother, sister, friend etc? You may find you're not hungry, you're just bored, tired, mad, stressed. Find something else to fill you up!
- Chew your food 20 times or more. Really. Do it. You will find that not only your digestion will get better, but you will realize you either really like what you are eating or that you're not so crazy about it after all. Do you really savor a Twinkie? Or a doughnut? Try eating a Twinkie or other packaged dessert or salty snack food slowly and chew each bite twenty times and I bet you'll find it way too sweet, lacking in real taste, blech, etc
- Give thanks before eating your main meals. Some people say grace, some people put their hands lightly over their meal to just take a bit of time to enjoy what should be a pleasurable eating experience. Then chew your food twenty times. Put your fork down. Food lovingly prepared for you or that you made yourself should be appreciated. This is very important.
You will eat less if you follow these tips every day.
Do you have any mindful eating tips to share?
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