Friend or Foe - changing your relationship with food

Friend or Foe - changing your relationship with food

Have you ever found yourself rushing through a meal because you have to do something or be somewhere?.  Do you often find yourself eating because you are bored, stressed or over eat until you feel sick?.

You are not alone. This is known as ‘mindless eating’.

So how do we actually pay attention and overcome our eating experience with food?.

Mindful eating like mindfulness, is about paying attention to our eating experience. This can include the use of our five senses such as smelling, seeing, feeling, tasting and hearing. The goal of mindful eating is being present, paying attention to your feelings thoughts and bodily sensations so that you can sit down and enjoy your meals to change your relationship with food. Not only can mindful eating improve your relationship with food, it can also help with overeating and improve digestion.

Here are a few tips to practice mindful eating:

• Removing distractions such as putting down your phone and also switching off electronics like computers and tv.

• Setting time aside to sit down at the table during meal times to eat.

• Using your five senses of smelling, seeing, feeling, tasting and hearing and take time to savour the taste of your meal.

• Tuning in to how you are feeling and listen to your body to stop eating when you are satisfied.

• Paying attention to our body and signs when you are hungry i.e grumbling stomach and low energy levels.

• Preparing your own meals to ensure you are getting the nutrients required to keep you full and energised.

• Eating slowly and chewing thoroughly, tuning in the taste of your food.