Mindful Nutrition

Rediscover a more joyful and healthy relationship to food

What is Mindful Nutrition?

Mindful Nutrition is by its very nature being aware of the food that we use as fuel. It is the knowledge of how everything that we eat acts when it is in our bodies and taking us back to the very basics of eating.

We go back to basics to the point that we start clean eating and learn to recognise everything about eating as if for the first time. We learn to appreciate how food looks, feels and smells. We then learn to really taste food.

With Mindful Nutrition, food becomes our medicine and we learn to love the meals that we eat, based upon not only their taste, but also what they can do within our bodies. We start to make better choices because we know that we will, without a doubt, become what we eat.

Symptoms of Mindless Eating

  • You finish a meal and realise you barely tasted it.
  • You eat whilst reading, watching TV or surfing the internet.
  • You feel guilty about the things you eat or about how much you eat.
  • You constantly try to be “good” with food.
  • You have set mealtimes and eat at those times whether you are hungry or not.
  • You eat when you’re bored.
  • You eat whilst, or because, something is upsetting you.

Do you recognise any of the above habits as your own? How often do you eat and put the taste, smell and experience of the food at the forefront of your mind.

How to Practice Mindful Eating

The following mindful eating steps will help to develop new habits in your relationship with food and should always be carried out when you have the opportunity to fully focus on the food in front of you.

  • Step 1 -Gratitude

    Mindful Nutrition must always begin with gratitude. By taking a moment and showing gratitude for the food in front of us we start to acknowledge that eating is a mindful process. We can feel gratitude for the people that made it possible for the food to be on our plates.
  • Step 2 – Involve the Senses

    Before you even take one bite of your food ensure that you have fully introduced it to your senses. Pause and take a moment to look, touch and smell your food. When we take the time to experience gratitude then explore the food we are about to eat, we are becoming naturally mindful.
  • Step 3 – Eating

    Begin by noticing how the food feels in your mouth. Try to hold each bite in your mouth for twenty seconds, exploring the taste properly and getting to know the texture and flavour of your food. Then, as you swallow, simply repeat the process with every bite.

Use this mindful eating practice regularly. It may not be possible to do it at every meal, but carrying out the practice as much as possible will help you to regain a naturally pro-active relationship with food.

Benefits of Mindful Nutrition

  • You leave behind the diet and binge cycle.
  • Food becomes your friend and you enjoy it more than you ever have before.
  • Your physical and mental health improves because it is getting the best possible nutrition.
  • You reach your optimum weight without even trying.
  • Energy levels soar and in turn your natural motivation increases.
  • Exercise becomes easier and enjoyable.
  • Digestive health improves.
  • Mindful eating can help to overcome eating disorders. It will help you to regain control over your own life, and because you are obtaining the best possible nutrition for your own body, it will also curb excessive hunger and unhealthy food cravings.