What is mindful eating?
Many of us lead busy, fast-paced lives and rarely take the time to slow down when eating. Mindful eating is a way of eating your food so that you are truly aware of the experience of eating. Mindful eating engages all five senses- taste, smell, touch, sound, sight- and aims to help people eat enough to be satisfied and to enjoy the experience of eating.
Why eat mindfully?
Mindful eating can help you in the following ways:
- Avoid eating past the point of comfortable fullness
- Reduce pain and bloating that can accompany being ‘too full’
- Increase the pleasure you derive from the foods you love
- Discover new favourite foods
- Develop an awareness and appreciation of the process of food production ie. paddock to plate
How do I eat mindfully?
Mindful eating is a skill, and one that comes easier to some people than others. One of the best ways to begin eating mindfully is to savour the first bite of your meals. Pay attention to how the food looks and smells as you bring it to your mouth. After taking a bite, enjoy the flavours and the feel of the food in your mouth. Putting your fork down in between mouthfuls is another way to slow down your eating and focus on savouring your food.
Our dietitians can guide you through a longer mindful eating experience as part of your consultation. Once you’ve gone through this activity with your dietitian, you may feel comfortable guiding yourself through mindful eating experiences. These are a great way to appreciate the variety in the sensory characteristics of all the different foods.
For information about booking a nutrition consultation with an Allied Nutrition dietitian, please click HERE or phone us to discuss your requirements.
