There’s been plenty of food for thought over the past year, pardon the pun but not much mindful eating!
Food has been one of our few pleasures over the past year as many of our activities and hobbies ceased due to covid 19 lockdowns.
We have to eat 2/3 times a day for energy and to keep our body healthy and strong.
Food is and always has been central to our lives. It’s how we gather together; at weddings, birthdays, family gatherings, funerals, parties, and with friends, all the time our lives revolve around food but we don’t practice mindful eating and there is a total disconnect between our obsession with food and our actual eating of it!
We eat too quickly, too much, too much sugar, too much processed food, then we find ourselves bloated and uncomfortable having to undo the button on our jeans.
Simply because we don’t pay attention to the food when we are actually eating. Maybe we are watching TV, talking, listening, scrolling, on a laptop, driving, walking while trying to eat at the same time.
Oftentimes we eat when we aren’t hungry to stuff down unwelcome emotions, especially during the last year.
So next time you open the fridge door let me offer you a tip, PAUSE, and ask yourself:
“What am I eating right now?” Is it anger, boredom, sadness, loneliness, confusion?
Then ask yourself “What does my body really need right now?”
and listen carefully for the answer.
Perhaps you will still take that item from the fridge but eat it mindfully!
Mindful eating is a lifelong journey that will slowly change your attitude to food and your lifestyle, plus your eating habits.