Mindful eating stresses the importance of being present during the entire eating experience.
Why should you try mindful eating?
Mindful eating allows you to be aware of your appetite as it changes so you naturally control portions, choose healthy options, and avoid emotional eating.
Eating has become a quick, mindless act. This is problematic since the fullness signal may not arrive until you have already eaten too much. By eating mindfully, you restore your attention and slow down, making eating an intentional act. Increasing hunger and fullness cues helps distinguish between emotional and physical hunger. You will also increase your awareness of triggers that make you want to eat even though you are not necessarily hungry. By knowing your triggers, you can create a space between them and your response to them. This gives you the time and freedom to choose how to react.
7 simple steps to get started
Eat slowly and do not rush your meals
Chew thoroughly
Eliminate distractions. Turn off the TV and put down your phone
Focus on how the food makes you feel
Stop eating when you are full
Ask yourself why you are eating. Are you truly hungry?
Ask yourself if the food you chose is healthful
When you first begin mindful eating, I suggest picking one meal per day to focus on these points. It will become natural to you. Then you can focus on implementing these habits into more meals.