Mindful eating is a holistic and an all-encompassing way to view and experience our relationship to food. Mindful eating is a process of consciously focusing on the food we eat – what we eat, why we eat, and how we eat our meals.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with this approach, and nothing trains a person’s mindfulness better than fully focusing on experiencing a meal. Not only does this entail conscious thought, but also bringing in as many senses as possible to the experience.
Even something as simple as a cup of coffee can be more abundantly experienced. How many times have you guzzled a coffee at work, yet shortly after, can’t remember the taste, let alone any of the other nuances that could have made it more enjoyable.
Consider, that taking a moment to hit the mindfulness switch before drinking a simple cup of coffee could add so much to the experience by reflecting not only on taste, texture, temperature and other aspects of the beverage, but how it makes you feel, during and afterwards, physically and emotionally.
In doing so, you will find that rather than rushing for another cup, you will savor the emotional aftertaste for much longer.
Expand this thinking beyond a simple cup of coffee and you can glimpse how mindful eating can help you reduce the amount of food and beverages you consume, yet enjoy what you do eat and drink so much more.
Unconscious eating and drinking behaviors are behind so much of the over-consumption of food and drinks that cause so many on our medical problems today.
What are You Eating?
Surely, you’ve come across the many claims for superfoods. Every health-based website and magazine has undoubtedly featured an article (or seven) on the benefits of superfoods which are nutrient-packed, energy providing foods that help keep you healthy and assist you in losing and/or maintaining your optimal weight.
Or, how about the latest trending diets recommended by nutritionists and gym junkies? And, there’s all the celebrity endorsements encouraging us to join a meal program at every turn.
Each of these concepts encourages certain foods. The main focus is what you are eating to get the results you are seeking. Eating mindfully turns the focus around so you are particularly focused on why you are eating, when you eat, how you are eating, and the environment where you eat.
Why are you Eating?
Eating mindfully’s major focus point is, “Why am I eating?”
Are you eating to comfort yourself? Sometimes, when we stress about things the first thing we do is reach for something to eat, a particular item or even full meal which has brought comfort in the past or brings up good memories.
Are you eating out of convenience? Many of us have also created unhealthy habits of eating whatever is close, cheap and convenient, no matter the nutritional value, or lack thereof.
Mindful eating enables us to make sure the why is justified and is in our best interest. When we consider food as a fuel for our bodies, we re-calibrate our thought processes and become more mindful about the foods we ingest.
Paradoxically, by reducing the focus on what we are eating by prioritizing the why, we make better choices on what we eat with reduced feelings of scarcity and abstinence.
How are You Eating?
Eating mindfully also encompasses the idea of eating slowly, savoring the nourishment you are providing your body, and even considering where the food originated. Appreciate the hands that cultivated the soil, fed the plants and harvested this food for your enjoyment. Chew each bite deliberately and take time to notice the flavors and textures.
Where are You Eating?
Today it is hard to find a calm and relaxing environment for doing much of anything, let alone having a good, quiet meal. With mindful eating, it’s important to enjoy your meal or snack uninterrupted especially by electronic devices. Turn off your phone, TV, and get away from your computer. There’s no need to surf the web or scroll through social media while you’re trying to eat mindfully. Unplug from outside distractions and enjoy a meal with your family or friends.
Do not under-estimate the power of this aspect. Mindfulness is all about engaging more fully in the experience and this is the real power of mindful eating.
