In my previous post I alarmed you of the health dangers triggered by unconscious eating. Unfortunately, the truth is that most of us rush through our meals, eat on the run while driving, working, speaking on the phone or watching TV, have their lunch or dinner directly out of a box or a package. We are equally disconnected from our food and from our bodies. We do not enjoy neither of them! Our senses are locked and non-functioning – we don’t smell the food, don’t taste it, don’t experience it – we simply eat automatically and that is extremely dangerous. Such eating patterns may lead either to overeating or under-eating but they are certain to cause digestive problems that sooner or later will lead to ruined health. The solution is to deliberately slow down your eating patterns, to enjoy every single bite and to allow all your senses to unfold and practically experience food.
That may sound easy but it isn’t. Especially when time is not on your side, and it never is. But still mindful eating is a matter of desire and practice. You may start by creating your own eating rituals that will remind you to eat mindfully.
Mindful eating checklist
- Only eat when your body is hungry, not when your emotions are.
- Check that you are seated at a table.
- Serve your food on a plate.
- Chew each bite at least 20 times.
- Focus on your food, do not multitask.
- Enjoy your meal and be thankful for the nourishment you provide to your body.
