In our quest to improve our health or shed a few kilos, we often concentrate on what to eat and how much to exercise.
However, one of the most influential and empowering tools at our disposal is the practice of mindful eating.
What exactly is mindful eating?
It’s about paying attention to the food you eat.
It’s about savouring the taste, texture, temperature, and smell of your food.
And it’s about being aware of how hungry you are before, during, and after your meal.
How can you practice mindful eating? Here are a few tips to get you started:
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Minimise distractions: Turn off screens and put away distractions while eating. Focus solely on the act of eating and enjoying your food.
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Slow down: Put down your fork or food while you’re chewing – and don’t pick it up again until you’ve swallowed that bite of food.
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Engage your senses: Think about eating while you eat – How does it taste? What does it look like? What do you like about it? What might you change next time you have that meal?
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Listen to your body: Tune into your hunger and satiety cues – Take a moment and pause before eating, how hungry are you feeling? Then after your meal, do you feel full?
Eating mindfully is a life-long practice. And it’s easy to forget. But the great thing about it is that, with practice, it will get easier and come more naturally.
By incorporating these simple yet powerful techniques into your daily routine, you can revolutionise your relationship with food and ultimately support your weight loss goals.
