Mindful Eating 101 — A Beginner’s Guide

October 13, 2021

When you think of mindfulness, what do you attach to that idea? I tend to focus on everything to do with awareness and being intentional with my time and actions. This associates directly with my path towards healthy eating and creating a healthy environment wherever I may be. Mindful eating seems like a common task, but have you ever caught yourself juggling 3 different things and scarfing down anything you can find at the moment?

I speak from experience when I tell you that enjoying what you are consuming and fueling your body will help you see wellness in a different perspective. Instead of looking at the outcomes from everything you do in your life, take a second to enjoy the process and reflect on what it took to get to this moment. When you practice mindful eating, notice what your thought process is like and how you are feeling to get a sense of what your body needs. Before you eat, ask yourself, “Am I upset, agitated, or just don’t have anything else to do?” so you can process whether you’re actually hungry or not.

Slow down and be present.

Appreciate each bite and use your senses like smell, touch, and taste to allow your body to register what you are feeling and doing. Be intuitive. Ask yourself what do you think your body needs, what is your body craving, or what is it lacking? Listen, pay attention, and follow through with your internal needs.

As you notice you’re becoming more aware, you will see how consistent you will be with select foods and how important their health benefits are. Lately, I have been researching stories on holistic living and what I can learn from others along my journey. I have been following RYUPURE and have really connected to Emily Ryu’s story and what it means to change your life through mindful eating. Healing herself through plant based meals, Emily creates a wellness company that offers advice and simplistic, aesthetically pleasing items like the Dylan Apron which has made cooking that much more relatable and enjoyable. Look good, feel good right?Sometimes it’s the smallest changes that have the biggest impact.