In an age that moves at an ever-accelerating pace, there is a need to enjoy our mealtimes more calmly. This is what we now call «conscious eating». It is in fact an ancient practice that will allow us to take our meals more pleasantly and healthily.
Conscious eating consists of devoting all our attention when we are enjoying our meal. By eating consciously, we are able to meet both our physical and mental needs.
What is mindful eating?;
Often, while we are eating, we are distracted by external factors, such as exposure to digital devices or lack of quality time and dedication. All of these disconnect our bodies from our senses, increasing the risk of automated eating behavior. Conscious eating is among the methods of eliminating phenomena of this kind.
How do we master the technique of mindful eating?;
It is very important to feel and perceive the smells, tastes and textures of your dish. In this way, we engage our five senses in all their glory.
We slow down as we eat in order to achieve the greatest possible concentration and connection with our body.
Gradually we will become aware of the signs of physical hunger, satiety and satisfaction. In this way, we will consciously decide what, when and how much to eat. Through this process, we will reduce the number of times we eat for reasons not related to physical hunger.
Conscious eating against eating disorders and for weight loss
The benefits of conscious eating have been successfully applied to the clinical setting of unhealthy or disordered eating behaviours. The implementation of certain mindful eating programs has produced positive results in cases of patients who suffered due to emotional hunger, a psychosomatic state where we consume food voraciously in order to satisfy more of our emotional rather than physical needs.
Among the clinical areas where conscious eating has contributed is that of cardiovascular disease. In particular, numerous studies support the use of conscious eating as a strategy to combat overweight and obesity.
In 2019, the journal Obesity Reviews published a meta-analysis of trials with surprising results. In this sense, obesity is probably one of the most interesting areas where we can apply conscious eating to redirect a harmful eating behavior towards a new, healthier habit. In conclusion, there is no doubt that conscious eating is an opportunity we ought to seize.











