What is Mindful Eating and How Can It Help Me? Podcast Episode 23 with Catherine Russo Epstein
Introduction to Mindful Eating
Mindfulness is awareness of the present moment without judgement. When we apply mindfulness to eating it helps us to slow down and appreciate our food.
Catherine Russo Epstein explains the benefits of mindful eating and how to get started.
What is Mindful Eating?
Mindfulness is awareness of the present moment without judgement.
In simple terms, that means being aware of your thoughts, feelings and emotions without judgement.
Mindful eating is bringing mindfulness to our eating.
Eating and food is an emotional experience for all of us (to a bigger or smaller way.)
As you become aware of these emotions and feelings around food, you can change them.
Some Emotional Eating Is Normal
Our society celebrates with food. Parties and eating are a normal part of emotional eating.
Often we eat when we want to avoid an emotion (for that’s boredom!)
A bit of emotional eating is normal. The danger is when emotional eating leads you to over eat.
What are the Benefits of Mindful Eating?
- It helps us to slow down. You need to be present with the food.
- It helps you to be grateful and appreciation.
- It helps us to digest our food.
- It helps you identify emotions surrounding eating.
- It helps you to listen to your body. (And know when you’re full.)
How Do You Start With Mindful Eating?
Start with just one meal. At a time when you can be present at that meal.
For example, start by eating an apple in a mindful way. Cut it up. Put it on a plate. Savour each mouthful. Pay attention to how it smells, tastes and feels.
The Secrets to Mindful Eating
The acronym PRAYER is a useful way to remind you HOW to do mindful eating:
P pause before you take the first bite.
R reflect on the food in front of you.
A appreciate the food and its source.
Y you. Remember eating is all about YOU.
E eat with intention and enjoy your food.
R remember to breathe.
Appreciate Where Our Food Comes From
It’s so easy to open a packet of chips or throw a frozen pizza in the oven. Even healthy options such as fruit is easily accessible. All we need to do is reach to the fruit bowl and take a bite (perhaps run it under the tap first!)
When we feel the urge to eat we get instant gratification.
It hasn’t always been so easy to get readily available food. In the past, people had to grow food. Or store it over winter. They had to plan things more and wait until fruit was ripe before they could eat it.
Eating Seasonal Food That is Locally Sourced
If you can!
It’s much better for the environment as the food doesn’t have to travel so far.
It’s also better for us as the fruit and vegetables will be allowed to ripen and contain more nutrients.
If you live in an area that doesn’t produce so much food, you’ll probably need to supplement. (I know my friends in Canada have problems with fresh foods in the winter.) But you can still eat the food that is seasonal when it’s available.
Catherine’s Last Words of Wisdom
Treat yourself with compassion!
Learning to love yourself will help you to make the changes that you want to.
Find Out More About the Divine Dining Method
Read Catherine’s book: The Divine Dining Method
You can find the 21 Day Challenge and the Divine Dining Method Program here.
https://www.thedivinediningmethod.com
Author Bio
Dr Orlena is a health coach. She helps busy mums go from "I can't lose weight" to feeling fit and fabulous. Find out more about her here.
