Whatever your weight loss goals, always know that food is a vital aspect of your success. Although there’s another success factor you may not think too much about – how you eat your food. Yes, we’re serious. Mindless eating is “eating food without paying attention.” It is this emotional, distracted eating that prompts you to ignore your body’s signals when its full. Chris Mohr, Ph.D., R.D. has said that this is the leading cause of weight gain. Thankfully, Dr. Mohr revealed the best strategies to help transform you into a mindful eater. The tips below are easy to follow and once you get started, they’ll become a part of your day to day routine.
Mindful Eating
Set A Timer
When you sit down to eat, ensure you have a timer set for 20 minutes. Those 20 minutes should be dedicated to you eating your entire meal. This way your body and mind can focus on each individual bite you take instead of just scarfing it down in minutes.
Eat With Your Non-Dominant Hand
Switch things up! Try eating with your non-dominant hand. While it will feel un-natural, it will cause you to slow down and to become more conscious about your food.
Eat Silently
Here’s a tip that most people will struggle with! For five minutes, eat in complete silence. As you do so, visualize and think about what it took to produce the dish you’re eating. From the farmer to the store to cooking the meal.
Take Small Bites
As you take small bites of your food, you are thoroughly chewing it as well before you’ve reached another forkful. And when it comes to weight loss, this is an important tip – small bites and small portion sizes.
Before Heading to the Kitchen, Ask Yourself This Question
Okay, this might sound weird but at least give it a try! Before opening the cabinet or fridge, take a breath and ask yourself, “Am I really hungry?” Also try doing a short activity, including reading, drinking water, or taking a brief walk. Any of these activities will help you decide what the genuine answer to that question is.
Weight Loss Goals