The Benefits of Mindful Eating

Quote: "My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for 4 unless there are 3 other people." | Orson Welles

Do you slowly savor your meals and enjoy the sensuous, joyful pleasures of eating? Do you scarf down your Whopper and large fries while barreling down the freeway and texting on your cell phone? If you answered yes to the later question, you may be a mindless eater. Mindless eating is all too common in today's fast-paced, fast-track, overstressed world. However, do not despair - A few, small, simple changes in your eating habits may be all you need to start down the road to mindful eating.

Mindfulness means actively focusing your attention on the present moment - it is not a passive state. Being fully present while eating promotes a positive relationship with food and may help you leave behind your old unhealthy, unsatisfying habits. By making just a few simple changes in you eating pattern, you can change your life in many surprising ways.

A mindful eater actively assesses hunger sensations before a meal - are you really starving or just incredibly thirsty? You may not even care for food at all. Listen carefully to what your body is telling you! notice the deep color, enticing smell, heavenly taste, and texture of your food. Is it real food or a food - like substance i.e. processed foods? The extra effort it takes to eat whole foods is well worth it. Taking the time to assess your food can be an enlightening experience.

Eating slowly and only while sitting down may help you enjoy your meals more and realize when your stomach is full. There is no law that says you have to clean your plate at every meal - it is OK to stop eating if you are no longer hungry and there is still food on your plate. Turn off the TV! Put your fork down between bites and chew your food completely - feelings of hunger may disappear sooner, making overeating less likely. Try to be the last person at the table to finish your meal. By taking the time to savor your food, you may actually lose a few pounds. Learning to appreciate your food and taking pleasure in eating again may result in changes in your life far beyond the kitchen table. Become a mindful, not mindless eater!


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For more information on mindful eating, please visit http://www.rdoncall.com and contact Susan Taylor, RD, LD, CLT for answers to your nutrition questions.