The aim of mindful eating is to reconnect us more deeply with our food, which in turn has a positive effect on your health. In other words, it has less to do with following The Latest Diet, but rather, a greater awareness of what – and why – you’re eating what you’re eating. Follow these five easy ways to get started tonight.
1. Cook from scratch
Commit to cooking from scratch two or three times a week using easy recipes and flavour-packed ingredients. Grow a few herbs and veg that you can pick yourself.
If you don’t know where something comes from, ask yourself: who grew this? How did it get here? You might even find your shopping habits change.
2. Eat at a table
Start thinking of mealtimes a positive ritual and a family tradition – rather than obligatory refuelling. Share a few dinners a week at the table and you could inspire a lifetime of healthy eating habits.
3. Switch off your devices
Eat in silence. Sure, you might not be able to do this for a whole meal but do take a few minutes to appreciate what’s on your plate. Not possible because your children can’t sit still? Make a game of it: “Let’s see if we can all eat without talking for one whole minute.”
If you’re too busy during the day to eat lunch anywhere other than your desk, take your morning coffee to a quiet place.
4. Eat slowly
Savour every mouthful! This isn’t easy when you’re eating breakfast standing up – so sit down and slow down. Woolworths dietician Cindy Chin advocates practising counting your chews and swallowing slowly. “Put down your fork between bites instead of loading it with the next mouthful.”
5. Pay attention to flavour, texture and colour
The tanginess of lemon, the spicy aroma of curry, the crunch of a crispy pizza crust… tuning in to your senses encourages you to take in less since you’re better able to read your body’s hunger and satiety cues.
Did you know? Discovery Vitality members automatically get 25% off their HealthyFood baskets.
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