Let’s be honest, everyone likes to eat and there’s nothing wrong with it. The key is to eat mindfully. I personally appreciate different textures and flavors and I love to try different meals no matter how many calories they contain. When I was younger, I used to eat a lot and I often ended up feeling terrible, and worse I was prone to weight gain.
I always had guilt about how much I ate and I could also feel physically uncomfortable at times. When I started my weight loss and healthy lifestyle journey, I was astonished at how terrible my eating plan was. Really, many people don’t pay attention to their diet, maybe because of the lack of time or just because they don’t think their diet is not healthy.
From personal experience, I have learned that it’s not only important to pay attention to what you are eating, but it’s also important to pay attention to how your body feels after eating and how you actually feel about your body. If you feel like you don’t eat mindfully, let me help you here. Follow these 5 tips and you will start eating consciously on a daily basis.
Table of contents:
- Realize that food is a great source of energy
- Be thankful for your food
- Use small plates
- Eat slowly and chew your food carefully
- Take breaks
1. Realize that food is a great source of energy
When people are trying to lose weight and they realize that they don’t eat consciously, unfortunately, they start feeling bad about eating and some people even stop eating. This is the biggest mistake we can make. We need to eat to survive, so never feel bad about it.
One of the most important things you should realize is that food is an excellent source of energy, which you should use. If you work out on a regular basis, your digestion will certainly improve. Even if it’s just a short stroll after or before a meal, it will help increase circulation and boost your metabolism.
2. Be thankful for your food
It may sound a bit silly, but taking a moment to think about the person who cooked this meal, or where your food came from, can give you a completely new perspective and help you be thankful for a meal you are going to eat. We often eat in a hurry and this is one of the reasons why you overeat and why your diet isn’t working for you. Before you start eating, bless your food and know that you are lucky enough to have this meal.
More: 10 Disturbing Reasons Why You Overeat
3. Use small plates
This is actually an old trick that I learned from my mom. Using smaller plates is one of the most effective ways to eat mindfully. The point is, your stomach can fit and digest the amount of meal no bigger than that can fit in the palms of two hands.
Often, the portion you eat, especially at cafes and restaurants, is too big and it’s important to realize it. To control your portion, choose a smaller salad plate or a smaller bowl and eat the amount of food that you need. This way, you will never overeat.
4. Eat slowly and chew your food carefully
Numerous studies show that people who eat slowly and chew their food thoroughly, tend to eat less. The thing is, it takes a little time for the stomach to send messages to the brain that it’s full. So slow down when you eat and chew your food thoroughly. Not only does it help you eat less, but it also makes less work for the digestive system. You will feel fuller quicker and it will help prevent a stomach ache.
5. Take breaks
Even if you’re hungry and you want to eat more, take a little break while eating. Stand up for a moment and see how you feel. Maybe you want to drink a glass of water.
Many of us mistake thirst for hunger, so try to drink a glass of water before or after your meal and see how you feel. This is an important step to eating mindfully.
More: 10 Sneaky Tricks to Eat Less
I hope these tips will help you to eat mindfully and reach your weight loss goal. At first, these tips may seem simple and small, but remember the little things can make a huge difference. Enjoy your meal, eat what you want, but make sure you do it in moderation.
So, did you find these tips and the whole article helpful? Please share your thoughts in the comments section and thanks for reading.
