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what does mindful eating mean?
You’ve probably heard of the term mindful eating, but what does it actually mean and why bother doing it? Mindful eating is about checking whether you’re really hungry and if so, eating purposefully, enjoying each mouthful, and watching for signs you’ve had enough so you don’t overeat. Research has shown that people who eat mindfully are more likely to stick to and maintain their health and weight-loss goals. So what does mindful eating avoid? Gulping food quickly in front of a distraction (such as a phone, tv, or computer), or eating a meal just because it’s midday or routine - rather than when your body signals that it’s genuinely hungry.
the benefits of mindful eating
It’s easy to not think about what or how we eat during a busy day, says Melbourne-based psychologist, Dr. Naomi Crafti, but making an effort to eat mindfully has many weight-loss benefits. Case in point: a 2011 University of California study published in the Journal of Obesity, found overweight women who used simple mindful eating techniques lost abdominal fat without dieting.
“We live in a world where so many of us get anxious about what we eat so we don’t enjoy our food,” says Dr. Crafti. “If you eat and enjoy the experience, however, you probably won’t overeat. Unfortunately, we just don’t allow ourselves the time to eat respectfully. In Japanese culture, for example, people never sit in their car and eat or walk along the street eating. They sit at a table, focus on their food, and enjoy it – they eat mindfully.”
how to become a mindful-eating master
Psychotherapist Jane Caulfield lost 80 pounds by eating mindfully and now teaches the technique to others. She says it helps people recognize triggers in daily life that can cause unnecessary eating. “Mindful eating doesn’t occur overnight. You learn at each step,” says Caulfield. Start with one mindful mouthful a day, then one mindful bite every mealtime, advises Dr. Crafti. Gradually increase to several mindful mouthfuls each time you eat, until you’re mindfully eating whenever you have a meal or snack. Not only will you appreciate food more, but you may also notice a shift in the scales, too.
the basics to mindful eating
- Stop and check that you’re genuinely hungry – and that you’re not just eating out of habit or because of certain feelings or boredom.
- Drink some water before a meal to avoid mistaking thirst for hunger.
- Use your senses – smell the aromas of the food you’re eating, and notice the temperatures, textures, and flavors in your mouth.
- Chew slowly and make the most of every bite. It takes about 20 minutes for the brain to register fullness after you’ve eaten.
- Cut out distractions like eating in front of your phone, TV, or computer.
- Have a little of what you want so you feel satisfied, then stop.
- Be in the moment while you’re eating, rather than thinking about what happened yesterday or what your plans are for tomorrow.
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