Eating meditation. The beginner’s guide to mindful eating
Have you ever imagined that you could meditate while you were eating?
Eating meditation (or mindful eating) is a term that describes the process of being fully aware of the present moment while you are eating.
In the modern world, everything moves quickly. We are always rushing to get things done, and we forget about the importance and pausing for a minute to enjoy the present.
Many people eat while standing up, reading their messages, receiving calls, or with the TV on. That causes distractions, anxiety, and stress.
Eating meditation has many benefits. It helps us to improve our relationship with food and reduce stress.
Is this the first time that you hear about eating meditation or mindful eating? Here you’ll find some tips and tricks to start implementing this practice in your lifestyle.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the practice of being fully in the present moment. That means being completely aware of your surroundings and fully conscious of yourself.
The name comes from modern interpretations of Zen Buddhism, but the truth is that many cultures have practiced mindfulness.
Humans are constantly on autopilot. We spend most of the day worried about the future or frustrated because of the past.
Zen Buddhists tell us: when we are fully aware of the present, we find peace of mind.
In other words, mindfulness is like meditation with the eyes open.
What is eating meditation?
Eating meditation, or mindful eating is the practice of applying mindfulness to eating.
Eating meditation is more than just eating slowly. It’s about paying attention to what you put inside your mouth.
Sometimes we eat without even looking at our meals. That’s eating mechanically.
When we practice eating meditation we pay attention to how the food looks and how it tastes. We appreciate the colors, feel the textures, identify the flavors.
Meditation is about focusing: You focus on your breath, your heart, your frown, etc. The same thing applies to eating meditation. Try to focus on one thing at a time, without rushing.
Mindful eating is also paying attention to our body: recognizing our state, identifying when we are hungry, and choosing which meals are best for our bodies.
But the most important part about eating meditation is stopping judgment and being grateful.
We are so conditioned to be embarrassed by what we eat that we sometimes forget to feel gratitude for having food to eat.
How to practice eating meditation
There are many things that you can do to start practicing eating meditation. Here, you’ll find some great tips to get started.
Meditate on your body. Eat with intuition.
Eating meditation starts when we question ourselves if it’s time to eat.
Have you eaten out of impulse? How have you felt after eating?
If you feel that you want to eat, ask yourself: Why do I want to eat? Am I really hungry?
Sometimes we eat without being hungry because we are sad, lonely, anxious, or bored. That’s why we need to recognize when we are actually hungry and when it’s another thing.
Prepare the space
Similar to normal meditation, eating meditation is easier when you find the perfect time and place.
Find a space that it’s comfortable where you enjoy eating. Designate a space exclusively for eating, such as a dining room. Make sure that it’s clean and organized, so you’ll feel good there.
But also, try to save a specific time on the day for eating. Choose a time where you won’t be busy with daily tasks.
And then, remove any distractions. Turn off your phone, turn off the TV, and let yourself enjoy your meal.
Be grateful: Meditate on your food
Once you have your food in front of you, be grateful for it. Thank the universe for sustaining you.
You can also close your eyes and try to imagine where your food comes from. Imagine how the plants start as a seed, they grow, give fruit, and then they come to your plate. Be thankful for all those working hands that helped to feed you.
Food absorbs positive energy when you are grateful.
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Enjoy the food!
Then, there’s the best part: eating!
Take your time to eat. Don’t distract yourself from other things.
First, pay attention to how your food looks. See what ingredients it has. Look at the colors and the details. Smell it and try to imagine how it will taste.
Then, chew slowly and try to recognize each flavor. Does it have pepper? Maybe it has broccoli?
Be aware of the textures, and try to see how each bite is unique.
Recognize how you feel
When you finish your food, try to pay attention to how you feel. Do you feel more energy? Do you feel too full?
Pay attention to your bodily sensations. Take some time to recognize how you feel, how the food affected you.
Eating meditation is about establishing a relationship with food. Study how different meals make you feel different, and see which ones are better for your body.
The benefits of eating meditation
Eating meditation has a lot of benefits. It helps you reduce stress because it lets you enjoy your food in a quiet space without worrying about future tasks. It teaches you that it’s okay to save some time for being with yourself and enjoying the present moment.
It also can help you to lose extra weight. That’s because you won’t be overeating or eating without being hungry.
Eating meditation helps you to enjoy food and become healthier. Since you become more aware of how your body reacts to food, you’ll end up choosing better options for your body.
Eating meditation is one of the easiest ways to improve your relationship with food and your overall health.
That’s it! Now you know how to practice eating meditation, even If you are a beginner. So, the next time you eat, try these tips, and you will enjoy your meal way more.
Bon appetite!