Use Mindfulness as a tool to slow down snacking and make more conscientious choices regarding food. MIND·FUL·NESS NOUN 1.The quality or state of being conscious or aware of something. 2.A mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and ...

Use Mindfulness as a tool to slow down snacking and make more conscientious choices regarding food.

MIND·FUL·NESS NOUN
1.The quality or state of being conscious or aware of something.
2.A mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.

Mindless Eating: The act of eating food without paying adequate attention to what and how much is being eaten. Can also be influenced by the environment, such as family/friends.

Mindful Eating: The practice of cultivating an open-minded awareness of how the food we choose to eat affects one’s body, feelings, mind, and all that is around us.

Using Mindfulness to decrease snacking.

Easy Mindful exercise:
1. Take a piece of chocolate, chip, or pretzel and hold it in your hand.
2. Notice the shape, texture, weight, color of it as it sits there.
3. Place the food in your mouth and notice the taste, texture, shape of it. Is it sweet? Savory? Are the edges sharp or smooth?
4. After a moment swallow and repeat if needed.

Results: When we pay attention to what we are eating, we are less likely to keep going for more food. When we take time to enjoy what we have in front of us, and pay attention to the present, the amount and frequency of snacking will decrease.
Mindfulness is a helpful tool to be able to live in the moment and accept what is happening. In the end the mind is at ease, and we end up feeling less stressed and healthier in mind and body.

.Download this info-graphic for access to mindful help on the go.