Mindful Eating Habits

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

 - Albert Einstein

The American diet has contributed to many health problems (diabetes, strokes heart disease) because super sized portions of food made with unhealthy ingredients (trans-fats) and little nutritional value (vitamins and minerals) are gulped down with gallons of sugary drinks!.
Mindful eating is about paying attention to what you are eating... eating nutritious food and taking the time to enjoy it. 


Being mindful, you become aware of ingrained unhealthy eating habits,  make needed changes, improve your enjoyment of the food you eat and improve your overall health.
 
Breaking free of unhealthy habits requires that you be mindful,that is, to be present in the unfolding moments that comprise your days - awaken to the now by staying in touch with what is going on within you and around you right now.

You can start by reading the ingredients listed on the packaging to avoid harmful additives such as chemicals and preservatives., excess salt and sugar, trans fats and so on.

Selecting natural and fresh products is a great way to get nutritious, pesticide-free food. 

Another part of having a healthy relationship with food is giving yourself time to enjoy it. Eating slowly allows you to take in the flavors, textures, aromas and presentation. 

Paying careful attention to the taste and the texture of a bite of food or a single raisin, creates a mindful experience. 
 

If you are still unsure of the effectiveness of mindful eating, why not judge by how it makes you feel compared with hurriedly gulping down a hamburger at the local fast food restaurant? 

Experiment with eating more nutritional foods such as raw fruits, nuts and vegetables and see how your body reacts.  How does your stomach feel?  What is your energy level like after eating?

Compare how you feel after eating the healthy choices with how you feel after the high- fat content, fried hamburger and deep fried, trans fat soaked chips.   It gives one indigestion just thinking about it.


Having a mindful relationship with food improves the mind, the body and the spirit.