MINDFUL EATING

CONCEPT OF 'MIND'FUL EATING

Today’s fast-paced society tempts people with an abundance of food choices and moreover, distractions have shifted our attention away from the actual act of eating toward Netflix, youtube, TVs, computers and smartphones.

Eating has become a mindless act, often done quickly. This is problematic, since it takes your brain up to 20 minutes to realise you’re full. This results in abnormal eating behaviours. If you eat too fast, the fullness signal may not arrive until you have already eaten too much (binge eating).

By eating mindfully, you restore your attention and slow down, making eating an intentional act instead of an automatic one.Mindful eating is based on mindfulness, a Buddhist concept i.e. a form of meditation that helps you recognize and cope with your emotions and physical sensations. 

Mindful eating involves:

• eating slowly and without distractions
• paying attention to food without judgement
• listening to physical hunger cues and eating only until you’re full
• distinguishing between true hunger and non-hunger triggers for eating
• engaging your senses by noticing colors, smells, sounds, textures, and flavors
• learning to cope with guilt and anxiety about food
• appreciating your food
• Have patience while eating
• accept and let go

Mindfulness-based approaches appear most effective in addressing binge eating, emotional eating, eating in response to external cues and in weight management. 

Be "MIND"ful !!