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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
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 that their distracted eating habits can be harmful. They understand that the habit can lead to overeating and excess weight gain, and the lack of satisfaction from our meals can leave us anxious and stressed.
There are a few standard recommendations that many doctors and health magazines list when sharing strategies for eating well. They’ll often mention eliminating distractions like a phone or television from the room, counting the number of times you chew before swallowing, focusing on feeling your food in your mouth, smelling it, and even listening to yourself eating.
But there is one tip on mindful eating that I barely ever see written about, yet have found to be the most…
