The Benefits of Mindful Eating

Hello there, everyone! It's Brendan again, big surprise, and I wanted to discuss something that I read about over the holiday and thought was quite intriguing. The concept of mindful eating is something that sounds a bit silly at first, but it has some documented benefits for both one's physical and mental health! 

Mindful eating is a practice that encourages individuals to be fully present and engaged while eating, focusing on the sensory experience and emotional responses associated with food. This approach stems from the broader concept of mindfulness, which involves being aware of the present moment without judgment. By applying mindfulness to eating, individuals can develop a healthier relationship with food, making it an act of nourishment and enjoyment rather than a mindless or stress-driven activity.

One of the primary benefits of mindful eating is its ability to foster a deeper awareness of hunger, including when and why it arises. Many people eat based on external signals, such as time of day or social settings, rather than their body's actual needs. Mindful eating helps individuals tune into their body's natural signals, recognizing true hunger and fullness. This can lead to more balanced and intuitive eating patterns, and as a result can help with dieting and weight loss.

This does somewhat run counter to the idea of mindful eating, as it is meant to be a 'present moment' activity, but it's still worth considering! A blog from EatingWell discusses that idea a bit, and also notes a study that showed those who practice mindful eating are shown to have better digestive health. (If there's more research on the effects of mindful eating, we'll be sure to update this blog with relevant links!)

Mindful eating encourages a greater appreciation for food and its flavors, something that I think can fall by the wayside in a hectic day. By slowing down and savoring each bite, you get to enjoy the food as much as eat it. Reading about historical meals can help one appreciate the privilege we have of access not only to far greater nutritional value and even food in general, but also the sheer variety of flavors we can sample. Can you imagine what the Founding Fathers might make of Nakee Butter? Sorry, still got the Fourth on the brain!

Here's the extra bit: I dove into the psychology on mindful eating. There's more to it than one might suspect. According to a study (which you can read here), the efficacy of mindful eating is something of a feedback loop, in that the more people implement it and understand the causes and effects of it, the more effective it is. There's a lot more discussed in that study as well, namely a much more comprehensive version of the three r's (see below) that goes into a variety of influences on our eating habits. It's a bit of a dry read, as scientific studies often are, but it's still compelling. 

One of the other concepts I learned a bit more about during my additional research was the three r's of mindful eating: recognize, respond, reflect. These pillars involve earning your hunger cues (when your body is telling you it needs nutrition), answering those cues and looking back on how that meal made you feel and what it meant to you. This is a good entry point for those looking into the concept of mindful eating but not being sure where to start. Some sources that I read suggested keeping a 'meal journal' where you could document your reflections, too, which I found to be an interesting idea. 

In any case, a heightened awareness of flavor can make meals more satisfying and enjoyable, reducing the tendency to seek out unhealthy or excessive food options. Additionally, mindful eating can help individuals identify emotional triggers for eating, such as stress, boredom, or sadness. By recognizing these triggers, people can develop healthier coping mechanisms and make more conscious food choices.

Practicing mindful eating also promotes better digestion and nutrient absorption. When we eat slowly and chew thoroughly, our digestive system has more time to process food efficiently. This can lead to fewer digestive issues, such as bloating or indigestion, and improve overall gut health. Furthermore, being mindful of what and how we eat can lead to more thoughtful food choices, emphasizing nutrient-dense and wholesome foods that support optimal health-- like Nakee Butter, which you should definitely get today at our Amazon store!  

Shameless self-promotion aside, I think there's quite a bit more to mindful eating than initial appraisals may suggest. In the fast-paced world we live in, it can sometimes be easy to neglect appreciating the things we do have. Taking the time to savor the flavors seems like a brilliant idea, and I'd love to hear the results if you guys decide to try this out. That's all from me for today, though; this is Brendan, signing off!