Have you ever reached out for a piece of chocolate or a packet of chips when you were feeling down or anxious? Yes, we all have done this at some point or the other. Mindless eating plagues many of us, and unsurprisingly can result in excess eating or drinking as regular practice. Yet, by understanding and practising mindful eating, we can combat these unhelpful habits and improve our relationship with what we consume.

Mindful eating is an important piece in the puzzle of building a healthier mind. It addresses our relationship with what we eat and enhances our mind-body connection.

Mindful eating is about elevating one’s awareness of food experiences, cravings, and physical cues when eating. We get better with making healthy choices and being aware of our appetite, which helps us in avoiding overeating and feeding our body with just what it rightfully requires.

Here are some ways to include mindful eating in the way we consume and interact with food.

#1 Eat with intention

Focus on the appearance, smell, taste, and texture of the food you eat. Chew slowly without the distraction of driving, work or screens.

#2 Empowered Eating

Increase awareness of satiety and appreciate the food in front of you. Eating deliciously will empower you to feel in control of our meal and it’ll become less likely for you to binge or overeat.

#3 Eating on the run

Only eat while eating, sit down and make time to feed yourself with intention.

#4 Eat without distractions

It is common to eat more when watching television. Try to be fully present in the moment and limit your screen time by turning off Television, and putting away cell phones & other electronic devices.

# 5 See how you feel post meal

The process of eating mindfully doesn’t end with a meal, it goes beyond. Pay attention to how you feel post-meal, and view every meal as a learning experience where you learn how to better nourish yourself the next time.

A practice of mindfulness can reap great benefits when practised regularly for a long period of time. Following simple hacks like these can help reduce added sugar intake, overeating and the habit of reaching out for other unhealthy foods. Mindful eating can give you a sense of instant fulfilment, satisfaction and also has the power to change the way you digest your meal, feel full afterwards, and ultimately your relationship with food. Stay excited with good food habits!