Mindful Eating: Build a Healthier Relationship with Food

I had the opportunity to talk to Macy Meyer, a journalist with CNET, about the use of mindfulness as a tool in eating. Hop over and read the whole article here.

What are the benefits of mindful eating?

Distracted eating is now the norm. It's common for people to eat lunch at their desks, eat snacks while scrolling social media, or finish dinner while watching TV. Bunich points out that we live in a world where many take pride in being busy and multitasking, but when we lose focus on our eating, we can lose satisfaction with food and lose the hunger-fullness connection.

"There are many benefits to being a more mindful eater," Bunich said. "Slowing down the pace of eating will ease digestion and bloating. The slower pace also helps in reconnecting with fullness cues. If you were previously overeating, this may aid in preventing weight gain or even some weight loss. But the greatest benefit may be a newfound satisfaction for food and increased enjoyment of your meals."

How can you practice mindful eating?

It's easy to get busy and deprioritize mealtimes, but there are steps you can take to refocus your relationship with food. Bunich explained that mindful eating starts before you prepare your plate. Before you start eating, pause to think "Why am I eating? Am I hungry, bored, stressed or emotional at the moment?" and go from there. 

Read Meyer’s full article here.