The Mindful Eating Tip That I Barely Ever See Written About is the One Japanese People Use Every day

How a short phrase before meals can be the key to consistent mindful eating

Kaki Okumura

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Illustrations by Kaki Okumura

Mindful eating, like all kinds of meditation, can actually be quite tricky when you’re first starting out. The mind is geared to wander and often likes to gravitate toward thinking about anything but the current moment:

Did I get feedback on my assignment yet? Should I renew my insurance for the car soon? Summer is coming and I’ll have to buy a new swimsuit but where should I shop…

In most cases daydreaming can be harmless, but when we’re eating? It can quickly spiral into overeating, digestion discomfort, and maybe even a bit of stress.

How do you become consistent about mindfully eating?

Distracted eating is a very common problem — according to a recent study commissioned by Nutrisystem, about 1 in 3 Americans are unable to finish a meal without going on their phone at least once, and about 35% of those aged 18–25 admitted that they couldn’t go without their phone during a meal.

I don’t believe that these are behaviors people are particularly proud of, because many people also recognize…

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Kaki Okumura
Kaki Okumura

Written by Kaki Okumura

Born in Dallas, raised in New York and Tokyo. I care about helping others learn to live a better, healthier life. My site: www.kakikata.space 🌱

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