Mindful Eating- Moving from Mindless Munching to Nourishing Mind and Body

One of the most pivotal teachings in Ayurveda is the concept of mindful eating - or eating with intention for nourishing and caring for the body.

Years ago, I was shocked when I actually starting paying attention to HOW I ate...it turns out I was eating on the go for nearly all of my food! I would grab a bar for breakfast and eat it on the way to work; I was astonished as to how much of my eating was done while I was driving. 

Over the past decade of practicing mindfulness, I've made dramatic shifts in not just what I eat but also how I eat. And eating mindfully has become a powerful way for me to practice mindfulness every day. 

Mindful eating is simple and really doesn't need to take a long time to practice. It just involves paying attention to the experience of eating, including the taste, texture, and aroma of our food. And it means we are tuned into our body's hunger and fullness cues. When we eat mindfully, we are much more likely to enjoy our food, make healthier choices, and avoid overeating.

Here are a few tips for incorporating mindfulness into your eating:

1. Slow down. When we eat quickly, we are more likely to overeat and miss out on the sensory experience of our food. Take the time to savor each bite, and put your fork down between bites to help you slow down.
2. Engage your senses. Take the time to notice the colors, textures, and smells of your food. Pay attention to the different flavors and textures, and try to identify the different ingredients in your meal.
3. Practice gratitude. Take a moment before you eat to appreciate the effort that went into preparing your food, and the nutrients it provides for your body.
4. Listen to your body. Check in with yourself throughout the meal to see how hungry or full you feel. Stop eating when you feel satisfied, rather than stuffed.
5. Eliminate distractions. When we eat while we scroll through our phones, we are more likely to eat mindlessly and overeat. Instead, remove distractions and eat either with someone you enjoy spending time with or enjoy eating alone.  

What I've discovered in my journey from mindless munching to mindful eating is that it can actually be fun and rewarding! Mindful eating can help us to appreciate the joys of food in a whole new way. So the next time you you eat, make sure you sit down and take a mindful moment. 

In my small group program, The Power Within with Rashmi, we delve into topics like this in depth, and we mix in the wisdom Ayurveda with modern neuroscience. Stay tuned for the next time doors open for this transformative program.