How to be a more mindful eater
What does it mean to be a mindful eater? Mindful eating is when we practice conscious awareness of our food choices and all the other aspects that go along with eating.
Nowadays it is very common to become out of touch with our food. One reason is due to the increased availability of food and the fact that we do not have to hunt or forage for it. Another reason is due to the overall busyness of our daily lives. These reasons have carved out an opportunity for us to ignore our body’s cues including our hunger, fullness, cravings, etc. So how do we become more mindful eaters? Read my five tips below.
01. Prepare your meals ahead of time
Ever notice what happens when you go through your day without considering what you will eat? You may forget to eat entirely, or you may opt for the most convenient, grab-and-go food you can find. When we get to a point where we are starving or behind on a meal, we do not always make the best choices.
Now consider the opposite. You have your meal planned out, maybe its even prepped and ready-to-cook. This way when you get home from work, all you have to do is cook it. Taking time to plan and prepare your meals beforehand will take out the guesswork and prevent you from resorting to takeout.
02. Honor your hunger and fullness
Many times, we do not notice when we are hungry or full until well after the fact. This is when we are likely to make less than optimal decisions or even worse have regrets after eating. Take time out before and after meals to notice your hunger and fullness cues. What are they telling you? Eat more? You’ve had enough? Some of us tend to overeat, while others are more likely to under eat. Once you become aware of your hunger cues you will be more more mindful about how much food your body actually needs.
03. Acknowledge your cravings
Do you crave sugar after dinner every night? Are you constantly craving coffee throughout the day? These otherwise pesky cravings can actually provide clues as to which nutrients you may be lacking. Our cravings offer valid information and can also indicate when our blood sugar is imbalanced. When we note our cravings we become more in touch with what our body is telling us. It communicates through signals such as cravings or symptoms. Overtime (with careful listening) we will even be able to hear our intuition telling us what we need.
04. Express gratitude for your meal
Expressing gratitude before meals is one way we can become more in tune with the purpose of food as nourishment. When we view food in this way, we become more conscientious of incorporating diverse, whole foods to ensure balanced nutrition. Being thankful for our food also helps improve digestion. It primes us to consider where our food came from. Additionally, it allows us to take a moment of pause before we begin eating.
05. Eat slowly and chew adequately
Last but not least, eat slowly! Notice the texture, taste and smell of your food. Take your time eating and chew until your food is nearly liquid. Our stomach is not meant to break down food that is not chewed adequately. When we eat quickly or when we don’t chew enough, we are more likely to experience digestive issues.
Becoming a more mindful eater will not only improve our physical health but it will also improve our relationship with food. Many people today have a love/hate relationship with food. When we become more mindful we can have a more thoughtful and balanced approach to eating.
