Conscious eating is the ability to eat in a fully conscious state , keeping your attention on flavors, smells and textures as well as perceiving the impact of food on our body, on the emotional and spiritual state. Being aware is also knowing the ecological impact on the earth that the food we eat has. Conscious eating should be considered the way to have an existence with greater tranquility and peace in oneself, as well as with the planet.
Mindful eating means that all your attention is focused on drinking and eating. Attention is paid to how the dish is presented, to the textures, aromas, colors, temperatures, flavors and even the sounds of the edibles.
At this time is when eating becomes conscious, a technique that consists of enjoying the moment and not observing the activity that is done as something bureaucratic or mandatory. Practicing mindfulness is an alternative to minimize stress, prevent diseases, increase well-being and enhance self-awareness.
Mindful eating has also been shown to help with weight loss and the treatment of eating disorders.
The practice of maintaining full consciousness while we eat allows us to take stock of the food we eat, controlling the quantities and being able to enjoy eating any food without restriction, eating a little of everything and with control. It is about enjoying and living the present in food, observing and analyzing the flavors, textures, smells and colors of food.
When we do mindfulness while eating, our focus is also directed to experiment with our body, in which part of the body do we feel hunger? When do we feel that we are satisfied? What is it like to be half full?
Attention is also directed towards the mind, while eating one learns to see how the mind is distracted and wanders between thoughts, monologues and judgments that arise and how consciousness is to separate from the attention of what we are eating. The impulses that arise after having had a drink or a few pieces of food are analyzed. You feel the urge and you simply go back to eating.
Chewing
Correct chewing is necessary for nutrients to be properly absorbed from food. When food is chewed well in small portions, it is more easily digested and the intestines can absorb nutrients effectively.
On the other hand, chewing food completely allows us to maintain the correct weight, since the longer it is chewing, possibly smaller amounts are consumed. It takes about 20 minutes for the brain to inform the stomach that it is full. So if it takes longer to chew and eat food, fewer calories will surely be consumed.
Chewing early also provides the option of being more aware of the taste, quality and texture of the food you eat. Digestive enzymes are located in saliva. Longer chewing time allows saliva to break down food allowing digestion in the stomach and small intestine. The largest pieces of food that enter the stomach are probably undigested when they enter the intestine where they can disintegrate, causing constipation, gas, diarrhea and abdominal pain, among other ailments.
The schedules
Schedules are a key point in conscious eating, maintaining stable schedules allows the digestive system to be greatly benefited, since it is regulated. In many cultures it is eaten 3 times a day. It has been shown that people who eat irregularly have a higher risk of falling into metabolic syndrome, that is, insulin resistance. On the other hand, we must ask ourselves every time we eat whether or not we are hungry, the body is intelligent and our function is to be attentive to its signals.
Where to eat?
It is important to locate a quiet place near the home or workplace where you usually eat. Tranquility is an internal state that can be enhanced with conscious breathing and paying attention to the experience of eating. There are various breathing techniques that come from therapy and yoga practices and can be used to promote tranquility.
Family meal
Eating as a family is perfect to strengthen emotional ties . For many families, dinner is the only time for dialogue and bonding. Eating as a family enhances the transmission to children of the message of eating well together with an attitude of gratitude towards food. Usually, it is necessary to try a new food 8 to 10 times until a child accepts it. It is also imperative that children are educated in food preparation techniques and included in the preparation and planning process. Food is most enjoyed when the individual cooks it.
