By SAND Publicity Chair Allie Humenay
Do you ever eat when you are bored? Stressed? Or upset? Or do you ever find yourself halfway through a bag of your favorite snack while watching Netflix or frantically doing homework? These are all examples of eating mindlessly. To be mindful is to maintain a moment-by- moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment. Practicing mindfulness while eating can help lower stress, increase immune functions, increase awareness of your mind, and release nutrients from the food more efficiently. Here are some tips on how to eat mindfully:
Image: http://thedebunkingdietitian.blogspot.com/2015/01/what-is-mindful-eating.html
Information: http://summertomato.com/the-science-behind-mindful-eating-what-happens-to-your-body-during-a-mindful-meal
Do you ever eat when you are bored? Stressed? Or upset? Or do you ever find yourself halfway through a bag of your favorite snack while watching Netflix or frantically doing homework? These are all examples of eating mindlessly. To be mindful is to maintain a moment-by- moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment. Practicing mindfulness while eating can help lower stress, increase immune functions, increase awareness of your mind, and release nutrients from the food more efficiently. Here are some tips on how to eat mindfully:
- Take smaller bites: By doing this and chewing your food thoroughly, you are forced to focus more on your food rather than on your feelings or trying to multi-task. It usually takes about 20 minutes for the brain to register fullness, so by taking smaller bites and taking a longer time to chew, you won’t eat as much.
- Don’t eat from the package: If you eat from a package it may be hard to determine the correct serving size. Try measuring the correct amount then putting the package away before sitting down to enjoy the food.
- Ask yourself questions: Before grabbing food ask yourself what you are eating, why, how you will eat it, etc. This makes you aware of your food choice and also if you are eating for comfort or because you are actually hungry.
- Sit down at a table to eat: Try sitting down at a table that is clutter free. Avoid multi-tasking so that you are only focused on the food in front of you.
- Don’t label foods- eat what you want: Do not label foods as “good” or “bad.” Food is fuel for your body so eat what you want and what your body needs. Just remember to eat in moderation and the correct serving size.
Image: http://thedebunkingdietitian.blogspot.com/2015/01/what-is-mindful-eating.html
Information: http://summertomato.com/the-science-behind-mindful-eating-what-happens-to-your-body-during-a-mindful-meal