In a world where many of us overeat, consume poor-quality food, and are unaware of what we are eating, I choose to practice mindful eating.
Over the years, my interest in good nutrition has expanded. I am aware that the quality of the food we eat now is inferior to what we ate when I was growing up. Also, dealing with a gluten-sensitive and a low-functioning thyroid, I need to be more careful with my food. And, of course, as our bodies age, we need to be more mindful of the food we eat.
However, mindful eating goes beyond what we eat, but also how we eat it. Too many of us miss breakfast, which is the most important meal of the day. (The word literally means breaking the fast of not eating overnight!).
So, how do we eat more mindfully? I would like to share Rona Cherry’s thoughts from her article, “Mindful Meals,” in Spirituality & Health Magazine.
The concept of minful eating brings mindfulness – the art of being present in the here and now – to our relationship with food.
~ Rona Cherry
Have you ever taken a moment to reflect on your relationship with food? Shouldn’t we give it as much attention as we do other relationships in our lives? Would we stop rushing through our meals if we considered our relationship with the nutrients our body needs from food?
Below are a few suggestions, from Rona’s research, for eating more mindfully
Mindful Eating Guidelines (paraphrased)
- Commit to just eating — without your phone or other such distractions.
- Pause before you eat — becoming aware of your breathing.
- Contemplate how you received this food — appreciate what was involved and the role of sun and rain that made the food possible.
- Take one bite at a time — focus on the taste and texture while chewing the food more thoroughly.
- Watch your mind — guide your attention back to your food if your mind wanders.
- When finishing your meal — reflect on how the food is nourishing your body and providing you with energy.
- Be kind to yourself — knowing that mindful eating takes practice.
I find it interesting that the steps above create a meditative process to eating. Why not! Most traditional religions encourage a prayer blessing before a meal. I think meditating while eating would receive similar results.
Rona concludes her article with the following quote:
… many of us eat without awareness. But mindful eating can transfor any meal into nourishment for both body and spirit. By pausing to breathe and letting out sense guid us, we can find moments of peace and connection in our busy lives.
Enjoy your mindful eating!