Most likely, when you eat, you eat mindlessly. You’re either in a rush to eat so you can move on to something else or you are sitting in front of the television like we all do and eat without thinking. Not only do you overeat, but you also eat the wrong foods.
By learning how to eat mindfully, you are aware not only of what you are eating but also how much you are eating. By starting a mindful eating philosophy, you can be healthier, happier, and shed a few extra pounds!
What is Mindful Eating?
Mindfulness is a concept that teaches you to be aware of your emotions and your environment. When you are aware of what is happening now, bringing your full attention to the moment, you don’t worry about what might happen later.
Therefore, mindful eating is bringing full attention to your experience while eating along with cravings and physical cues.
Here are some things you can start doing to begin your journey into mindful eating:
Eat Slowly- Take your time and chew your food. Notice the flavor and the texture and chew twice as long as you usually would. Don’t eat in front of the TV or have other distractions.
Notice Your Physical Hunger Cues- It takes the stomach 10-20 minutes to tell your brain it’s full. Notice when you stop feeling hungry and stop eating. You don’t have to eat everything on your plate; you can save it for another meal.
Pay Attention to Why You are Hungry- Are you eating because you are hungry, or was there a trigger? Are you stressed and feeling anxious? Are you bored? Learn to distinguish why you are hungry, especially when you are craving sugary foods.
Emotions- Pay attention to your feelings around eating and how eating affects your moods. Do you feel satisfied or unsatisfied after you eat, or do certain foods make you happy? Do you feel guilty after you eat? What does the food you eat do for your waistline?
Start writing about your eating habits, feelings, and the foods you eat and work on slowly changing your eating habits- Overall you want to eat healthy foods that give your body nutrition and not empty calories. What you put in your body reflects on the inside and the outside. Mindful eating can lead to a happier, healthier life!
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