Mindful eating is a cornerstone of my nutrition practice. But what exactly is it?
Quite simply, mindful eating (aka intuitive eating) is the practice of honoring your body’s natural hunger and fullness cues. It is about fueling your system with the nourishment it needs to thrive, without constantly questioning, judging, or second-guessing those biological urges.
Mindful eating- also frequently referred to as intuitive eating—means eating according to your true physical needs. It means choosing not to use food as a tool to cope with difficult emotions, and letting go of the rule that you have to clean your plate just because food is sitting there.
Unfortunately, many of us treat eating like a background task. We scroll through emails, finish up work projects, or catch up on our favorite television shows mid-meal. But the science is clear: when we eat while distracted, we feel significantly less satisfied with our meals and often consume up to 50% more without even realizing it.
On the flip side, mindful eaters enjoy a much more peaceful relationship with food, are significantly less likely to struggle with chronic overeating or eating disorders, and report much higher satisfaction with their overall bodies and diets.
4 Steps to Build a Mindful Eating Practice
Ready to bring peace back to your plate? Try incorporating these four simple habits into your next meal:
Tune out the noise: Turn off the television, put your phone in another room, and close your laptop. Give yourself permission to focus entirely on the task of eating.
Savor the experience: Pay close attention to the unique textures, aromas, and flavors of your food. Eat slowly to truly experience and enjoy the moment.
Run a quick emotional check-in: Before you take your first bite, ask yourself: “Am I physically hungry, or am I seeking comfort to escape an emotion like boredom, stress, anger, or loneliness?”
Honor your fullness: Midway through your meal, pause and check in with your body. Are you comfortably satisfied? Are you still genuinely hungry? Give yourself permission to stop or continue eating based on your honest answers.
Take the Next Step
Curious about where you stand? Take this quick quiz and see if you are a mindful eater.
Shifting away from a lifetime of distracted eating takes time, patience, and practice. If you would like personalized, judgment-free guidance on how to become a more mindful eater, schedule an appointment with our Kelowna dietitian team today. We are here to help you rediscover the joy of eating!
Did you know that dietitian services are often covered by extended health plans? Contact your provider for more details. Direct billing may be available.
