Practicing Mindful Eating

What is Mindful Eating? 

There are several forms of mindful eating. Since most of us live busy lives and are constantly on the go, we’ve taken a more simple approach to mindful eating.  

Our approach is focused on awareness. Instead of eating mindlessly, putting food into your mouth almost unconsciously, not really tasting the food you’re eating awareness enables you to be present in the moment and helps you notice your thoughts, feelings, and sensations.

Start being aware about -

• Are you hungry or are you eating just because you’re bored or is there some other emotion that may be causing the hunger?
• Is your food going to satisfy your senses as well as nourish your body?
• The look, smell, taste, feel of the food you’re eating 
• Your emotions after having eaten the food and how it has made you feel throughout the day
• Where the food came from, who might have grown it, how much it was processed, how much it was fried or overcooked, etc.

This practice is almost like a form of meditation. It is called a practice because it takes practice and you should allow yourself some time to get used to it. 

Benefits of Mindful Eating 

There are several websites that will give you the exact scientific benefits of mindful eating but I wanted to share my experience. 

1. Eating because you’re bored -  When you’re aware about what you’re eating and why you’re eating it, you stop eating out of boredom. This is because you begin to realize that it is not serving you in any way and you are just trying to satisfy one of your senses which will find something else to crave a few moments later.

2. You feel blessed - There’s a huge sense of gratitude! There’s so many factors that work behind the scenes from the soil to the seeds, farmers and finally the person preparing the food. You’re blessed!

3. Binge Eating - You don’t binge eat since you’re aware of when you’re full. 

Hope this helps you on your journey towards mindfulness!