By Dee Griffin
Have you ever gotten to the late afternoon or evening and had to take just a moment to reflect and remember if you have actually taken the time to eat that day? Have you ever scarfed down your lunch in-between the ever growing list of things to do? Here is your permission to slow down and practice mindful eating.
Mindful eating is taking time to pay attention to your body and hunger cues. It takes you from eating on autopilot and eating with intention. Start by eating slowly. Put down your fork between bites and savor the flavor. This will give your body the chance to register that your are eating and will help you feel full and reduce the urge to overeat.
Writing in a food journal will help you not only identify calories but can also help you identify if you are eating because you are truly hungry or is it emotional eating such as eating when you are stressed or bored.
Create a distraction free eating zone. Put down your phone and turn off the TV so you can focus on your meal or the people you are eating the meal with. Ask them questions and be present in the moment to enjoy the interaction. Try to eat at least one meal per day this week using mindful eating. Using this technique helps you build a healthy relationship with food. It is not about deprivation, it is about using the food for the purpose it was intended which is to provide nutrition for your body.
Dee Anne Griffin owns Dynamic Health Solutions, LLC and is a Family Nurse Practitioner. She has worked in the medical field for more than 20 years. She listens and recommends different options to create a unique plan that fits each individual. When not practicing medicine Griffin spends time on her family farm tending to her animals and is very active in her church. Contact her at 803-454-1661. Her offices are located at 169 A Medical Circle, West Columbia.
