You make your dinner plate, pour a drink and plop in front of the TV. Or, you grab a quick salad and get right back to the computer. Sound familiar? Our culture puts a lot of focus on what we eat, but not a lot of focus on how we eat—meaning we have a propensity towards mindless eating, as opposed to mindful eating.
I care about the food on your plate, but I also care about how you enjoy it. Because the way you eat can greatly impact how you experience the food. If you’re busy watching an episode of Stranger Things on Netflix, can you taste the subtle hint of smoked paprika in your roasted chicken? Can you appreciate the abundance of nutrients in your kale salad? Will you assimilate all the available vitamins and minerals effectively?
According to a study by Harvard Medical School, “there’s also reason to believe that eating while we’re distracted by activities like driving or typing may slow down or stop digestion in a manner similar to how the “fight or flight” response does. And if we’re not digesting well, we may be missing out on the full nutritive value of some of the food we’re consuming.”
In other words, mindful eating isn’t an abstract concept, but rather, the way we’re meant to consume food to reap all of the best benefits. Plus, it helps us to feel satiated, because our taste buds are activated by each bite. I encourage you to give my top tips a try next time you sit down for a meal.
5 Tips for Mindful Eating
- Plate Your Food: Even if you’re just eating leftovers, warm your food and put it on a plate. You can even keep a simple place setting at the office for lunch. A pretty plate and real silverware sends the message that you’re about to eat something special; and you should pay attention to it.
- Shut Off All Electronics: The laptop, the TV, the computer screen at work… give them a much-needed rest for at least 15-20 minutes so you can enjoy your meal. If you need a little background noise, try soft music.
- Give Thanks: Take a moment to express gratitude for the food on your plate and for the chef who made it (even if that chef is you!). A gratitude practice is proven to make us feel happier, so go on and boost your mood.
- Chew Slowly: Remember when you were a kid and your mom told you to chew your food? Well, she was right. Chewing well and chewing slowly helps you feel the effects of satiation and fullness faster, and prevents over eating.
- Eat A Real Meal: Fast food and takeout perpetuate mindless-eating habits. Instead, opt for something healthy and homemade. If cooking stresses you out, let me do it for you. I help busy people get mindful meals on the table that the whole family will love.
My schedule is filling up fast! If you need to slow down this season, let me take the stress of planning, shopping and cooking off your plate with my personalized Personal Chef services. My cook days are almost full, so contact me today to secure your spot!
