Mindful eating??

[boaters]

I read somewhere that mindful eating is a great way to focus on your intake. But what actually is mindful eating? I tried to meditate on what I was eating (I'm not a meditator) and all I could think on was that the filling in my ravioli didn't taste like beef and that fibres from my nectarine were stuck in my teeth! I think I'm missing the point somehow but not sure what I should be doing.

Hoping someone can put me on the right track.

Thanks

[Cooper27 Administrator]

I'm not great at mindful eating too!

I recently found a suggestion to set a stopwatch to time how long it takes you to eat a meal. You've to extend the time by a minute each day until it takes you at least 15 mins to clear your plate. I find that works well for me. It slows you down to appreciate your meal more, without having to focus too much on the textures in your mouth (that part can make me gag).

[boaters in reply to Cooper27]

Thanks for that suggestion. 15 minutes? Wow - I'm usually done in 3 or 4! Certainly something to try.

[Cooper27 Administrator in reply to boaters]

We were surprisingly quick too, but this technique has really helped me slow down - the times I haven't eaten with a timer, I've still been a lot slower to clear my plate, so it very quickly becomes your norm.

15 mins is a bit much if all you're eating is a bowl of cereal or 2 slices of toast though you can adapt the time to suit the size of meal. Maybe see how long your smaller meals take,and just aim to double that time.

[Hidden]

Hello boaters mindful eating is just that being aware of what we are eating when we are eating and why we are eating.

Here’s a link about it:

positivepsychology.com/mind...

I enjoy my food and like to eat at my dining table and I don’t rush eating and when I’ve had enough I stop so I don’t eat huge portions or eat for the sake of it it’s like I’ve a cut off switch that I listen too.

Here’s a post about mindful eating and our relationship with food:

healthunlocked.com/healthye...

Good luck with mindful eating. 😊

[boaters in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for this Jerry. Fascinating article - I had no idea it was such a huge topic. Loads I can do following this. Now I've spent far too long reading it and have to rush my breakfast so I'm not late ha ha!😀😂

[Hidden in reply to boaters]

LOL boaters mindful eating is a lifestyle change and I hope that you have a great day, 😊

[Zest]

Hi boaters

Thanks for raising this topic - I'm going to look at the suggestions and information you've already had as your replies, as it's an interesting topic.

Good luck with everything, and welcome to the Healthy eating forum.

Zest

[boaters in reply to Zest]

Thanks Zest - I read the posts most days but rarely post myself!

[Zest in reply to boaters]

Well I'm very happy that you posted - hope you're having an enjoyable week so far.

Zest

[MrRigatoni]

Hello pleased to meet you.

Simply do the following.

Mindful eating does not have to be.

This what I do first all TV media off CD music relaxation eating.

Classical works.

Portion control no plates bowls, use Pasta ones variety build your bowl.

40% Carbs Pasta Rice 40% veggies 20 % meat or fish.

Drink water with every meal and after.

Take time between each courses twenty minutes , takes the responses form stomach to brain to signify full.

Older you are metabolic rates slow down so a simple one course meal takes longer to digest and can be meaning longer to be full and not hungry.

If hungry after allocated time have bread fruit yoghurt after wards.

Space out courses if have more than one as mentioned chew slowy no rushed meals.

Add herbs spices vegetables curb appetites Fennel Seeds and Spinach well know ones. Make meals colourful.

Use music for therapy to relax after any meals.

Be ware of your body's needs sleep rest digestion responses immunity.

If so wishing to learn educate yourself looking on line plenty of courses on lifestyles nutrition, diet and so on food science.

Gained knowledge expertise experience qualifications can advise any time.

Some of these course community resource centres or well being health services all free.

Offer a range of courses on any aspects of food, nutritional and diet.

I enrolled on many very useful

Please ask me anything happy to be supportive

Please take care

[boaters in reply to MrRigatoni]

Thanks S - some useful tips there. I've been trying to work out what makes a tasty meal for me. Colour yes, but also acidity - tomatoes, lemon, vinegar etc. Not too good for my irritated stomach but tasty all the same! I've also found that if I take the time to prepare a tasty meal I savour it all the more. I've fallen into the habit of eating because I have to (insulin dependent) not because I want to enjoy my meal. And then it just becomes something else I have to do quickly so I can get on with something else. Hard habit to get out of!