Mindful Meals

JUST FOR TODAY:  Practice mindfulness during one of your meals, where you can focus on your meal with no distractions.

No television.  No computer.  No talking.  What would it be like to have a meal with none of these distractions?  What would it be like to practice mindfulness instead?  What would it be like to be fully present as you eat your meal?  Part of intuitive eating involves the selection of the type and amount of food that your body needs.  Another part is paying attention to hunger and fullness signals.  An additional part is noticing the flavors and textures, as you appreciate the nourishment of the food you are eating.  You can be more intuitive when you are less distracted.  If you are used to eating with distractions, try to pause for just a few minutes during your meal to free yourself from those distractions, and notice the difference this makes.  It may not be practical with your lifestyle to have mindful meals for every meal, but experiment with pausing to be mindful for just a few minutes, for just one meal... just for today!

©2010 by "Dr. Dorie" McCubbrey, M.S.Ed., Ph.D. – Eating Disorder & Obesity Treatment Specialist – Denver, Colorado