Today, most people are busier than ever and allow little time to properly appreciate their food. Sometimes we don’t even really taste it. Either we aren’t paying attention to the same old, same old we are eating, or distractions keep up from actually enjoying a meal.
Whatever the reason, mindful eating can actually make food taste better. Stop the train and grab a seat for this one, you’ll never eat food quite the same way.
Satisfaction, Not Super-Sized
Every menu where there is also a drive-thru has a super-sized option. Do we really need enough food to feed 2-3 people? Of course not! But they make it a cheaper deal and hard to pass up.
Put that food in front of us and it’s wolfed down in no time. You may not taste any of it, but it’s gone. You’re probably not very satisfied either and now you can expect a carb-crash in about 20 minutes.
Mealtime isn’t about how much food you can shovel down in a single rushed sitting. You should be enjoying your food. Every bite should be satisfying to your palate during the meal and not make you feel bloated and miserable afterward.
Visually Stimulate Your Palate
Bring out the good china dishes and arrange your foods so they look scrumptious. Practice what you see in photos in magazines and on the food channels. Experiment with different ingredients and try new things. How else will you learn to appreciate the beauty in mindful eating and properly fueling your body?
There aren’t many ways to decorate a candy bar that look appealing, but a well-balanced meal with vibrant colors and robust flavors can set any dish off. If your mouth is watering before you even take a single bite, you’ve done a great job!
Savor the Moment
Here’s the kicker. You’ve chosen something for satisfaction and made it look like it’s going to be the best meal you’ve ever had; now savor every last bite. Take your time.
Remove all the many distractions life can tempt you with and sit at the table – just you and your plate. Be patient with every morsel. Relish every delightful flavor. Notice the textures and colors, shapes, and aromas.
Take a moment to truly appreciate the sweet crunch of baby carrots and the soft pop of a sugar pea. Purposely process each bite from the time it hits your fork to the moment you swallow.
Think about wine tasting. You’re supposed to smell the cork, smell the wine, take a small sip and swish it around. As it splashes into every surface of your mouth the wine is delicately investigated for differing flavors and aromas.
With your food, in time and with practice, you’ll be able to name the ingredients and taste each one independently from the rest.
Mindful eating can definitely make food taste better. It takes practice and focused application, which is the core of mindfulness. And what’s even better is realizing the not-so-healthy choices are less frequently eaten as your mind and body begin to relish in the many flavors of healthier choices.
Keep in mind, this isn’t to say all things unhealthy are off the table. A bite or two of a brownie will satiate a sugar craving better than the guilt of shoveling in a couple brownies in an instant. How could you possibly have time to taste it and scratch that itch?
