Tips for Practicing Mindful Eating
Mindful eating is about developing awareness of your experiences and feelings with food and learning to differentiate physical and emotional hunger to develop habit changes. When focusing on making those habit changes, we’re creating a healthy relationship with and better understanding of food.
Recognize Food Has No Moral Value: Remind yourself regularly that there are no "good" or "bad" foods. Any food can have a place at the table when we practice balance and prioritizing nutrient dense options most of the time.
Practice Awareness: Stay present while eating and think about the colors, textures, flavors, and smells. Appreciate each bite while remaining present! Eat slowly, chew thoroughly, and try eating without distractions. Simply putting your phone away and turning off the TV can really help you get more out of your meal.
Tune Into Your Body: Pause halfway through your meal to check in with your hunger and fullness levels, and stop eating once you feel about 80% full. This will allow your tummy and brain to catch up to each other! Remember- recognizing this feeling takes time because…
Remind Yourself That You Are Learning: Acknowledge that developing mindful eating habits is a process! Be patient and compassionate with yourself as you practice and grow.
Remember It's Okay Not to Finish Your Plate: Understand that it's fine to leave food on your plate if you're full, even if it’s one bite that you feel silly leaving. Whether you finish it or throw it out, it’s still a waste if you eat more than your body needs, and the feeling of being physically uncomfortable is not worth it.
