Mindful Eating Equals Weight Loss

Mindful: to be conscious or aware of something.



By Catherine Grace Cleveland

One issue that inhibits weight loss is being unaware of what we are putting in our mouths and how often. Denial and forgetfulness is common ground for this subject.

My biggest awareness of where those unneeded calories are sneaking in my diet is when I cook. I taste everything, several times. You don't think twice about taste testing when you eat strictly plant-based, because there are no scary raw animal products to make you ill. So now I taste less and adjust my meal size accordingly. Sometimes I am not even hungry after preparing meals!

Mindful eating is paying attention to what you eat and when you are eating it. Here are somethings that you can pay attention to that will help you become lean and healthy:

• Prepare your meal, bring it to the table, sit down and eat it without snacking before and after your meal.
• Eat large enough portions (600-800 calories depending on your energy needs) so that you don't get hungry in a couple of hours.
• Don't snack between meals unless you are legitimately hungry; then eat fruit.
• Pay attention to the amount of fat in your meals (you'll be dumbfounded). Yes, you need fat in your diet to help absorb nutrients but if you are pouring on the oil in your salad (or using dairy products) all you are doing is making your ass fat. The minimal amount of fat you need in a day is about 1-2 grams, and no more then 10% of your calories. A handful of nuts will more than do the trick plus the natural occurring fat that is in your foods (like veggies and beans). 

Go through your day today and be mindful of the food you are putting in you mouth, and how often you are doing it.