Mindful eating is simply paying attention to all aspects of the foods we choose to take into our bodies. From the origins and history of the food to the messages our bodies give when it comes to eating. Being mindful can be a powerful tool towards maintaining a healthy relationship with food, feeling good inside and out, increasing our vital energy.
When we choose to be MINDFUL while eating, we are also naturally expressing gratitude. We take the time to truly enjoy the foods which fill us with happiness and we easily experience gratitude.
We can express gratitude for our food by saying a simple “thank you” to it and to the Earth and the provisions and abundance we are blessed with. We have so much to be grateful for! Blessing our food fills it with good intention and I am convinced it tastes better too!
Let’s look at some ways we engage in mindless eating. Ask yourself if you often eat or consume foods mindlessly:
Mindless Eating
● Oblivious to where the food actually comes from
● Unaware of or disregard for appropriate portions
● Eating until we are stuffed
● Eating our feelings / using food for stress relief
● Eating in the car, watching TV, or reading
● Eating convenience foods disregarding nutrition value
● Ignoring ingredients or not educating ourselves on them
● Allowing our children to engage in any of the above
Now let’s let at what constitutes healthy mindfulness when it comes to food choices.
Mindful Eating
● Preparing home-cooked foods
● Cultivating a garden
● Buying directly from farmers or farmers’ markets
● Including our children in our food education and choices
● Thinking about food origins
● Eating whole, nutritious foods that our bodies deserve
● Eating when your body indicates it’s actually hungry
● Keeping food in the right perspective (as fuel)
● Stopping eating when full
● Eating live, fresh foods that nourish us
In what ways would you like to improve your mindfulness and food and gratitude for it?
