Mindful Eating

By: Latisha Corpening In today’s fast paced, multi-tasking, multi-connected world it is very easy to fall into the trap of mindless eating.  We have lunch at our desk while trying to meet a deadline or stop at the drive thru between errands and hauling the kids around.  While this is convenient and sometimes more productive what is the real cost of these behaviors?  When we don’t sit down (preferably at a table) to enjoy and experience our meal we are likely to overeat and make poor food choices.  How do we combat and overcome these habits?  Mindful Eating. The word “mindful” simply means to be fully present, and aware of what we are doing.  When practiced mindful eating compels you to be fully engaged in your meal.  Mindful eating practices include fully chewing your food, and putting your fork down between bites among others. Now, I leave you witha challenge.  For the next 10 days to not change what you eat, but instead to change how you eat.  I challenge you to not just eat the food but to taste the food.  Before taking the first bite engage all your senses by looking at the food, what visual cues are you receiving, is the food bright or all the same color?  Smell the food, what aromas are present?  As you eat consider the textures of the food. Is it crunchy, soft, or a combination.  Take note of the flavors you are experiencing.  Does the food start out savory and end sweet?  Remember, the goal of mindful eating is not necessarily to eat less (although that will likely happen) but instead to experience more.  So for the next 10 days join me in this exercise.  Share your experience, and I look forward to hearing how mindful eating impacts your health.

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