6 Steps for Mindful Eating
By: Bailey Larmore
What is “mindful eating” and why would someone want to do that? This is a strategy to help you fully enjoy your food. Mindful eating involves an increased awareness of how a bite of food tastes and how your body feels as you eat. Read on to discover 6 simple steps for mindful eating!
1. Look at Your Food
If you look at the image above, you can see the vibrant colors of the ingredients in two different dishes. Mindful eating is about taking in your food experience, so you could think about whether the food’s appearance makes you more or less excited to eat.
2. Take in the Experience
What does the food smell like? How does the food sound when you take a bite… is there a “crunch?” What does the texture feel like? Try thinking about all of your senses to enjoy the full experience of eating.
3. Chew Slowly
Eating too quickly can prevent you from tasting all of the flavors in a meal. It can also lead to an upset stomach. Mindful eating encourages you to savor your food by taking smaller bites and chewing completely.
4. Pay Attention to Your Body
When you’re eating mindfully, it is good to pay attention to your body’s cues, like a stomach growl. This can let us know when to eat, and a feeling of fullness can let us know when our meal is coming to a close. Employing this strategy can help your body to feel good during and after a meal.
5. Ask Yourself How You Feel
What emotions do you feel when you taste your grandmother’s special holiday dessert? How do you feel when you drink tea after waking up early? These feelings can help you decide what to eat and can show how food impacts your emotions.
6. Think About the Source
Take a moment to remember where your food comes from. Where was the food grown? Who was involved in the preparation process? In less than a minute, you can think about these questions and feel gratitude for the food you’re eating.
Although we are often busy and faced with distractions, mindful eating can help us to slow down, relax, and enjoy good food!
Follow Campus Rec on Facebook and Instagram for more content!