Mindful eating: what is it and how to practice it?
Mindfulness applied to nutrition teaches us to approach food with consciousness to better nourish the body and mind.
Today’s life is often hectic and immersed in a dense series of increasingly important commitments. Such speeds often mean that meals are not given the right attention and awareness.
A sandwich on the fly during the lunch break, a skipped dinner, or a dish consumed between one meeting and another. We often do not dedicate quality time to ourselves and, above all, we devalue the act of eating by reducing it to a mechanical action devoid of the healthy and psychological importance that it has.
Mindful eating is born to overcome this, albeit involuntary, misjudgement by practicing the Mindfulness inspired technique of eating consciously promoting better tuning into one’s own needs and a renewed way of approaching meals.
The fundamental idea is that it is not only “what you eat” that counts but above all “how you eat“. This approach focuses on food quality and giving time to properly enjoy the meal engaging all senses to fully appreciate the experience.
The approach to nutrition becomes “conscious and healthy” and puts attention and consideration on what and how much we eat, when we reach satiety and what are the emotions and sensations related to each food we taste.
It is a new way of relating to food, nutrition and one’s body that should not be seen as a diet but as the newfound ability to perceive the internal signals that lead to the start and then the end of the meal.
The benefits and key principles of Mindful eating: eating with mindfulness
Focusing our attention on the food and the physical act of eating is essential to be truly present during a meal, moment by moment, eliminating distractions and creating a balanced and peaceful attitude.
Conscious eating promises great satisfaction and considerable benefits: it limits out-of-meal binge eating, frees from “emotional hunger”, improves energy level, mental clarity, stress resistance and helps to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
But what are the key points to putting mindful eating into practice?
Complete awareness is, of course, the first step. Paying calm attention, tuning in to food and feelings of hunger and satiety. Focusing on all thoughts and emotions related to nutrition.
It’s important to observe carefully and notice, as impartial spectators, the signals that the body sends us. This is essential to begin to understand our relationship with nutrition, whether superficial and “hasty” or healthy and centred.
Staying in the moment is the third step to deactivate the “autopilot” of previous eating habits and experience every bite as an extraordinary and welcome opportunity. The mind, alert and calm, must sit at the table with us.
It is also important to focus on the context in which we live to identify and defuse all those aspects that represent a wrong and unconscious way of eating.
All this must take place without judgment: it is necessary to develop a compassionate attitude and understand the possible difficulties of implementing a conscious diet without recriminations.
Closely linked to this step is “letting go”: it is about allowing the situation to “be what it is” without wishing it to change for the better.
“Letting go” of the strong emotions related to nutrition allows us to manage them effectively and not to see food as an “outlet” to deal with difficult situations and thoughts.
Finally, sitting at a table during meals is fundamental as well as involving all five senses and savour each dish slowly to facilitate digestion and avoid consuming more food than necessary.
The exclusive mindful eating experience of the Doglio Club
Doglio Club, located in the heart of Cagliari, is one of the most exclusive private clubs in Italy. It is the pride of Palazzo Doglio, an enchanting hotel with an ancient charm and a contemporary heart.
It is the ideal place to experience unique moments of relaxation and well-being by dedicating quality time to oneself: the Mindfulness approach is held in high regard to create a special space that focuses on the balance between mind and body.
In this perspective, nutrition care plays an essential role: the Doglio Club’s Mindful eating program, curated by Executive Chef Alessandro Cocco, is specifically designed to transform the relationship with food into a sensory experience, which allows you to perceive sensations related to food and body never experienced before.
In addition, the use of products linked to the territory and the season guarantees a menu that is constantly updated and in balance with nature, for a truly healthy meal.
Would you like to improve your diet and practice mindful eating in an exclusive and elegant setting? Book a stay at Palazzo Doglio in Cagliari
