What is Attentive Eating

Attentive or mindful eating is using all of your senses to experience and enjoy the food choices you make. It’s a way of eating that is slower and, with practice, can help you connect to the wisdom of the body and eat to feel your best and possibly lose weight.

Attentive or mindful eating starts with listening to your body. Are you wanting to eat because you are actually hungry (e.g., stomach growling) or for some other reason.

Notice what your body wants, whether it’s a green smoothie or something sweet and salty. No foods are off limits or “good” or “bad.” Take a moment to notice what would nourish you right now. Also consider how your body will feel later as you decide what to eat.

Take your time and eliminate distractions. We tend to eat less when we sit and eat slowly, focusing on the food and savoring each bite, rather than looking at a book or a screen. Notice what happens as you eat – how the taste changes and how your body feels as you eat and start to get full.

 Attentive eating is also eating when you are hungry and stopping when you are satisfied, not full or stuffed. Learn your body’s signals so you know when to eat and don’t get hungry enough to overeat or full to the point of discomfort.

 With time, attentive eating can transform your relationship with food and your body.