Here are some ideas for eating mindfully. Don’t try them all at the same time, you’ll get confused. You can try different ones to see which suit you.
Count the number of bites. This seems easier than it is, especially if you’re eating slowly and not wolfing your food like they’re going to take it away. When you lose count, just start again at 1, and see what the longest string you can make is.
Say out loud what you’re eating. Out loud may mean in your own head, but you do have to use words. This works best when you have a plate with different things, rather than a uniform substance. (“soup” “soup” “soup” …) Use a stupid voice, it’s more fun.
Close your eyes. As any good lover knows, sensations are more intense when you don’t have visual information cluttering up your brain. Close your eyes like you would for a really delicious piece of chocolate, and you will taste the food more closely.
Describe the flavour. Again, using words. Pretend you’re writing a pretentious restaurant critic style review. What would you say about the texture of these beans on toast? Is there too much sweetness? Was it served at the right temperature?
Observe the amazing machinery of your body. Mindfulness people are all about the breathing, but that’s hardly the only marvel your body accomplishes. Chewing food without biting your tongue or swallowing food without choking on it don’t require much conscious effort, but that does not make it less amazing. Tuning into what you’re body’s up to is classic mindfulness stuff and relaxing to boot.
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Ooh! I like the one about describing the flavour… especially if I use my pretentious restaurant critic voice :D
Funny, mindfulness must be the flavor of the day. I ended up writing about the same thing… though, my attempts at mindful eating are still somewhat… challenged ;)
Willie – love the final suggestion about observing the amazing machinery of our bodies (and how that’s more than breathing). I feel different when I eat something fast (and from a ‘restaurant’ with lots of bright red in its logo) than I do when I eat ‘slow food’ I’ve prepared myself. I love the idea of bringing mindfulness to every meal, and tuning into my body as/after I eat. Very neat idea.
Great tips! I learned the counting bites in Weight Watchers at one point, but could never follow it. It seemed boring to me. However, trying to eat with your eyes closed sounds fun! I’ll have to try it. Thanks for giving those of us who’ve tried one way (and failed) 4 other ways to experience mindful eating!
Great tips! It is so important to be mindful in everything we do. Yet, how often does it escape us? Practice, practice, practice is key, ehh?