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- Mindful Eating: The What, Why and How
An easier way to understand what mindful eating is, is by knowing what it isn't. Mindful eating isn't about carbohydrates, fat, protein or counting calories. It's different than a "diet", because diets tend to focus on the rules of eating — what and what not to eat or when and how much to eat — and are typically outcome-driven. These outcomes include weight loss, improved blood glucose values or lower cholesterol.
Mindful eating is more process-oriented. Simply put, mindful eating is being present with each bite. This approach to food is designed to focus on appreciating the experience by allowing yourself to be aware of the positive and nurturing opportunities made possible by the food you choose. You use all your senses and acknowledge how your body responds (likes, dislikes, indifferent) without judgment.
When you practice being in the moment, you’re likely better able to remove the distractions and focus on the process of eating. Eating when you’re distracted can prevent you from listening to the cues your body is telling you and can sometimes lead to overeating.
An easy trick to help tell is recalling what you ate during your last meal. What were the tastes, the textures, the aromas? If it’s hard remembering the details about the food, you might be distracted while you eat.
Turn off the TV, sit down while you eat, don't fixate on portion sizes or worry about how many times you chew your food before swallowing. This way, you can help move away from "mindless" eating and become more conscious about the what and why of your food.
Okay, you now know what mindful eating is and how to help tell when you are distracted while eating. How can you start to practice mindful eating at mealtime?
Eating mindfully begins with the first thought about food and lasts until the final bite is swallowed. It requires a commitment to change your behavior and encourages you to trust in your decisions.
What food will you eat mindfully first?