Have you ever finished a meal and been unable to recall eating it? Distraction and mindlessness are dangerous ingredients when it comes to food. Thankfully, the Parkview Well-being team has some simple tips to encourage a little more thought when you sit down to eat.
5 Steps to Mindful Eating
1. Choose a specific location to eat each meal.
Whether it’s at the dining room table or in the breakroom, designate a spot that is just for eating.
2. Put your food on a plate.
Try not to eat out of a bag or plastic container. Instead, put all of your food on your plate so you can visualize the amount you’re consuming.
3. Get rid of distractions.
Turn off or put away all distractions while eating. Focus solely on the task of eating your meal and enjoying it.
4. Slow down the process of eating.
You can do this by chewing your food longer than you normally would, using your non-dominant hand to eat, or putting down your eating utensils between each bite.
5. Taste with attention.
Pay attention to the food on your plate and focus on your senses. Ask yourself: How does this taste? Describe the flavor. What is the texture? How does it smell? Identify the ingredients in each bite.
Bonus!
Follow along as Dr. Dave Johnson guides us through mindfulness at mealtime.
