Eating is such a significant part of our daily lives, yet it’s so easy to disconnect from it. In one moment, our plates are full, and in the next, completely empty. What happened? We hardly tasted or consciously enjoyed even one bite.
We can change this mechanical way of eating by establishing a daily mindful eating practice.
Set aside a few minutes each day to practice mindful eating. Start with committing to eating one meal or snack mindfully each day. It’s helpful to begin with a small amount of one type of food that is not a trigger food for overeating. Begin by picking up and holding the piece of food, such as a grape, in your hand. Allow your senses to become alive: smell the grape, notice its contours, shape, colors, how it feels in your palm, between your fingers. When the mind wanders to thoughts of the past or future, gently bring it back to the grape. There is no other grape like it in the universe. Then, mindfully lift your hand and place the grape in your mouth.
