PL
Healthy Choices
Mindful Eating By amelia kirkland
W
e are quickly moving toward “the most wonderful time of the year”—the holiday season is upon us bringing great joy, much anticipation and stress! One of the ways that many of us cope with stress is by eating. Comfort food is, well, comfortable. It makes us feel better, at least in the short run. Comfort foods are typically high carb, and often are loaded with fat, sugar and salt. Think of things like Christmas cookies, macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes with gravy. Also, in this category are fast convenience foods such as French fries, pastries and Frappuccinos. During the busy holiday season, we tend to eat on the run more frequently as we hurry to buy gifts, decorations and party supplies. However, there is a strategy to combat stress eating that will leave you feeling healthier, happier and better positioned to enjoy your family and events during the holiday season. It’s called mindful eating. But what exactly is mindful eating? Well, the eating part is easy; we know what that means. So, let’s tackle “mindful.” What is mindfulness? Simply stated, it’s the basic premise
48 ASOUTHERNSOPHISTICATION
of being fully present and aware of where we are, what we’re doing and how we’re feeling. This seems like an easy concept, doesn’t it? But how many times have we driven to work without recalling a single mile? How many times have we gotten through a day and not remembered what we ate for lunch, never mind breakfast? Or worse, how many times have we eaten a whole bag of chips or a whole pint of ice cream and barely registered its flavors? We’ve all been there. During the holidays, mindless eating is the norm. Mindful eating is tasting every bite, savoring every texture and enjoying it all. We need to pay attention to the way food looks, the way it smells and the way it feels in the mouth. Is it hot or cold? Crunchy or smooth? Sweet or savory? Is it something we love or something we merely like? Mindful eating is much like exercising mindfulness in other areas of our lives. It involves slowing down and paying attention. Here are some tips to help you practice mindful eating:
