Do you find yourself standing at the kitchen counter munching on a bag of chips or at your computer snacking on your favorite cookies? Yeah, most of us don’t realize how good at multitasking we are. Or, perhaps, we’re just not aware of how much we’re eating throughout the day.
It’s a little something called “mindless” eating, and it can have extremely negative effects on your health. From weight gain to digestive problems, this is why mindful eating is becoming more mainstream in our culture. This habit involves being fully aware of what is happening within and around you at the moment—in this case it’s eating. Mindful eating focuses on being present for each sensation that happens when you’re eating, such as smelling, chewing, tasting, swallowing, etc.
So, if you want to stop wondering why you finished that bag of chips and didn’t even notice, here are a few tips for you:
- Before you start eating, rate how hungry you are. This will help you not over-eat
- Eat with your non-dominant hand
- Try to decide what will really satisfy your hunger or cravings
- Eat your favorite food on the plate last so you’ll enjoy it
