National Nutrition Month: How We Eat

How we eat. Ever thought about it? Maybe. Maybe not.

So, what have you eaten today? Do you remember what you ate? Do you remember how it tasted?

No? Hmm, well unfortunately that’s a pretty common response.

Most of us have become pretty good at multitasking, which is not necessarily a bad thing unless it concerns food. Think about it – we eat while reading email, we eat while driving, we eat while watching TV, and so on and so on, We are so distracted with “things” we don’t take the time to really appreciate the food we’re eating.

So let me ask you this – have you ever taken the time to ask yourself “I wonder what this bite of food is going to taste like?” Or, do you find yourself with a plate full of food and the next thing you know it’s empty?

Seriously. When was the last time you really took time to really to taste and savor each bite of food? When was the last time you took the time to be conscious in the moment without any distractions? Eating is an important part of our lives yet many of us don’t take the time to really enjoy what we are eating. Eating should be fun and pleasurable. Research indicates that distractions while eating prevents a person from enjoying the food.

So let me challenge you to this.

Allow yourself to really enjoy the foods you eat. Put down your phone, turn off the TV and give food your full attention. Be aware of how the food tastes, acknowledge what you like and don’t like. Take your time and become aware of your physical hunger and satiety.

Most importantly – give yourself permission to enjoy your food.

Go ahead – I dare you.