On mindful eating.
As I continue to move through my yoga journey, I notice how the mindfulness component that I cultivate on my yoga mat starts to permeate in my daily life. One big shift for me came with how I consume food, hence this exploration of mindful eating.
I used to multitask while eating. Whether it was standing up and talking, sitting at my computer and doing work, even in my car while driving. The process of eating was one that I never really enjoyed. A lot of the struggles I encountered with food had to do with the complicated relationship that I have with my body. I actually don’t know too many individuals that don’t have a somewhat complex relationship when it comes to food consumption and their body. My own personal relationship with food is something that I have been working with for years, and I very much anticipate this to be a lifelong endeavor. I am currently in a place where I celebrate nourishing myself. This mindset came with eating mindfully.
Some mindful eating practices that have supported me on my journey:
I wait to feel the sensation of hunger before I eat. This insures that I am eating because my body needs fuel and not due to many of the other reasons why we eat food.
I think about what I want to eat. I eat what is appealing to me in the moment.
When time allows, I prepare my meals with consideration and care.
Before eating, I pause and say a quiet prayer or gratitude … grateful for the ability to nourish my body, mind and soul.
I smell the food I’m going to eat.
I take my time chewing, pausing between bites, with an aim to be fully present for the taste, texture, temperature, flavors, etc.
I stop eating when I am full.
I understand that all this seems simple and takes time, but what a scared act… to nourish oneself. This is something to be celebrated.
I have turned to my good friend and Registered Dietitian, Kristen Brogan Johnson, on many occasions when looking for information when it comes to nutrition, optimizing my health, and exploring delicious food. I am so excited to be able to partner up with her as we combine mindful movement with mindful eating. On Monday, February 22, at 5:00pm CT join us for a virtual event “Yoga + Buddha Bowls” designed to teach, inspire and motivate you to make mindful movement and mindful eating part of your everyday.
In love, light + with gratitude,
Nicole