Take Care: 3 Ways To Move Towards Mindful Eating

When it comes to becoming a healthier, happier version of yourself, mindfulness can be a very powerful tool indeed. Helping you to tap into your body’s needs and relaxing from the day’s stresses, mindfulness reminds you to be aware of the here and now, making the present moment count. Eating mindfully, then, can spell all kinds of great things for your health, not least making indigestion and bloating a thing of the past. By introducing the act into your relationship with food, you can eat less, choose healthier produce and slow down. The process is simple and can be undertaken from the word go; it’s up to you when you begin.

1. Consciously Slow Down

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Do you tend to shovel food into your mouth, more worried about where the next mouthful is coming from than what it’s going to be? It’s time to slow things down. Actively stopping yourself when you’re going too fast is a great way to make mindful behaviours second nature. If you find yourself rushing from snack to snack, try taking a few minutes to breathe deeply. Listening to a 5 minute mindfulness podcast can help to kick your mind into gear and help you to slow down your activities. The calmer you feel, the more slowly you will be able to eat.

2. Take A Smaller Bite

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So much of overeating has to do with taking too-large portions at one sitting and the bigger the bite you take, the worse you might end up feeling at the end of it all. Making mindful eating a daily habit is all about how you approach your food so the next time you eat, try putting a little less on your fork. You will be able to digest the smaller portions more easily and might just feel more full at the end of it all.

3. Turn Off The Distractions

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When it’s time to eat, it’s time to eat. Other distractions like your telephone, the television or your work can wait for a little bit in order for you to focus on your meal and eat well. By turning off any distractions, you can focus more easily on what is in front of you, paying attention to the tastes and textures on the plate. The more aware of the food you’re eating you are, the food satisfied you are likely to feel at the end of it all.