Mindful Eating
Jesus answered, “It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Matthew 4:4 NIV
Mindful Eating is being aware of what you are eating. Slowing down to taste it, enjoy the texture of the food and remembering food is fuel, not entertainment.
Here are some habits that can help you become a mindful eater:
1. Eat slowly and chew your food
2. Follow recommended portion sizes, eat smaller portions
3. Savor the flavor of each bite – the smell, taste and the texture
4. Eat without distractions of TV, screens or work
5. Prepare your own meals and learn to cook from scratch
6. Use a smaller plate
7. Food is fuel, not entertainment. Realize food nourishes the body.
The book: Eat What You Love Love What You Eat by Michelle May, MD shows you how to break the cycle of eat-repent-repeat. I recommend it for a great read on this subject!
This is a special VE Day (V-E Day commemorates the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany to the Allied forces in 1945, ending World War II in Europe) tea set up by my friend Dot who lives in England. You can celebrate occasions and have sweets as a mindful eater! It’s all about how you view food. Is it fuel or entertainment? Are you really enjoying what you are eating, or just shoveling it in?
If you’d like help being more mindful with your eating, I’d love to work with you 1:1 and guide you to set goals to change how you view food.
Sources:
“10 Ways to Be More Mindful at Work,” Shamash Alidina, mindful.org, June 8, 2016.
“What Are the Benefits of Mindfulness,” Daphne M. Davis, PhD and Jeffery A. Hayes, PhD, apa.org, July 2012.
“Real Happiness at Work,” Sharon Salzberg, sharonsalzberg.com, Oct. 6, 2014.
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/ journal.pone.0062817
http://www.nmr.mgh.harvard.edu/~lazar/Articles/ Lazar_Meditation_Plasticity_05.pdf