Mindful eating...putting down the smartphone/remote/book/etc.

SnuggleSmacks

I've been thinking a lot lately about positive relationships with food, and how to go about it, and what it looks like. One of the things that just occurred to me is that I often eat while multitasking.

I'm especially guilty of this at work, as I work for a newspaper and we're on deadline. I usually proof pages while eating. But even at home, I often eat in front of the computer or while watching Netflix.

Sometimes I even make a sensational meal and discover at the end of it that I barely remember eating it because I was distracted doing something else. That's rather disappointing.

I've decided to commit to eating mindfully, concentrating on the amazing flavor and texture of my food, without attempting to multitask. I have a theory that this will make smaller quantities more satisfying and enhance the overall eating experience, possibly making portion control easier as well.

Is there anything that you can think of which interferes with your positive relationship with food, or that could enhance your relationship with food in a healthy way?

arditarose

I think tv and computer enhances my relationship with food ha. But I eat crappy dinners I cook for myself, and I'm alone. If I'm with a partner, I want a glass of wine and no tv/computer/etc.

ThePhoenixIsRising

Remember your stomach can't taste it. There is now rush to swallow and shove the next bite in. Savor the food you are chewing.

I tell myself this many times a day^^^^

SideSteel

I think there are all kinds of external factors that influence our food consumption and it would be wise to identify some of the more prevalent ones and manage them to assist in the dieting process.

Environment and food availability/exposure are massive influencers for many people.

I do think your idea to eat in a less distracted state is a good thing to attempt.

nutmegoreo

At home, I commonly eat in front of the computer. At work, I take a 5-10 minute break and shovel in whatever I can find, particularly cafeteria food (I do not generally make the best choices here either, but they are my choices).

I was speaking to someone about this over the weekend. She suggested taking three deep breaths before taking the first bite, as a way to 'switch gears'. She feels that enjoying the flavors and the mouth feel of the foods can make a difference in our enjoyment of the food we are consuming, rather than making it a function of what we have to do. I have considered adding the breaths and stepping away from the technology while eating in the coming weeks, to see if I find a difference in my satiety and the volume of food I consume.

ana3067

I eat while doing other things, doesn't negatively affect my relationship towards food. It just probably contributed to me getting fat because I like eating when bored.

arditarose

I'm eating right now! Love eating while I browse the forums.

SnuggleSmacks

I'm bad about it. I've even taken books into restaurants when I was eating alone. I've had some ethnic restaurant staff take offense, as this isn't done in some other cultures.

Sabine_Stroehm

That could be said about a lot of things. Good reminder.

Liftng4Lis

Work is always harried and you kind of eat when you get a minute. One of the ways I've found to avoid eating mindlessly, shoveling in "whatever", is to pre-log each morning, including my snacks.

SnuggleSmacks

Liftng4Lis wrote: »

Work is always harried and you kind of eat when you get a minute. One of the ways I've found to avoid eating mindlessly, shoveling in "whatever", is to pre-log each morning, including my snacks.

I leave enough room in my diary for snacks, and keep healthy ones in my drawer (like almond snack packs, Fiber One brownies or protein bars) so I won't be tempted by the offers of coworkers...but if I eat while working, instead of taking a few minutes off, then I barely remember having eaten. It's not the least bit satisfying to eat that way.

lorib642

I do that, too. When everyone is home we all sit down for dinner, so I have at least one meal without other distractions.

SnuggleSmacks

lorib642 wrote: »

I do that, too. When everyone is home we all sit down for dinner, so I have at least one meal without other distractions.

People sometimes laugh at me because if I eat something particularly tasty, I close my eyes. It's a way to block everything out and concentrate ONLY on that one, delicious thing. I think when I do that it's much easier to stick to small amounts. I can have half or even a quarter of a serving of a chocolate bar...like, one little square out of 16...if I am mindful, and I feel like I really milked all the enjoyment possible out of that little square, and I'm fine with putting the rest away for another time.