Mindful Eating 101: A Guide to Embracing a Healthier Relationship with Food.

Can you think back to the last meal you truly savored and enjoyed? Close your eyes and explore that journey again. Possibly it was the scent of freshly baked bread filling the air, or the taste of juicy watermelon or pineapple on a hot summer day, or slices of luscious, fresh plantains and tastefully fried eggs. 

How long ago was that? Truth is, we eat multiple times a day, yet most of us do it without really thinking about it. We scarf down our meals while scrolling through social media, or sorting out paperwork, watch TV while eating dinner as a way to eat the food faster, or even eat on the go without even tasting our food. But what if we slowed down and approached our meals with intention and awareness? What if we savored every bite and appreciated the beauty and nourishment that our food provides? That’s the beauty and power of mindful eating.

Mindful eating is simply all about slowing down, tuning in to our bodies and our senses, and truly savoring the experience of eating.

To create a more positive relationship with food and our bodies, mindful eating encourages us to approach food with curiosity, openness, and non-judgment. At its foundation, mindful eating is about bringing awareness and attention to the eating experience. It entails being fully present in the moment, engaging all the senses, and tuning into hunger and satiety cues. 

Some Benefits of Mindful Eating include;

• Better digestion: When we eat slowly and deliberately, we offer our bodies more time to assimilate and process the nutrients in our food.
• Minimized overeating: By being aware of our bodies' signals of hunger and fullness, we can avoid overindulging or eating for emotional or idle purposes.
• Higher meal satisfaction: Mindful eating makes us happier with fewer servings, which increases our sense of satisfaction and fulfillment after eating.
• Improved food enjoyment: Eating mindfully makes it possible for us to fully appreciate the tastes, textures, and scents of our food, which makes for a more enjoyable mealtime.

Helpful Hints for Mindful Eating:

To get you going, consider these helpful pointers:

• Chew everything well and eat slowly.
• Reduce the amount of time spent on phones, TVs, and work during meals.
• Take in the flavor, texture, and aroma of the food as well as your overall sensory experience.
• Pay attention to your body's cues about hunger and fullness.
• Express appreciation for the meal you are consuming and its source.
• Consider portion proportions and refrain from eating right out of the carton.
• Observe any emotional hotspots or thoughtless eating patterns, and investigate more constructive coping mechanisms.

Lastly, it's critical to understand that mindful eating is a way of approaching food with awareness and intention rather than a diet or a rigid set of rules. By using mindful eating practices, you can enhance your general wellbeing, have a better relationship with food, and get more delight and satisfaction from your meals.