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Why mindful eating matters?

Mindful eating can help to support your health and wellbeing. Find out how in this blog post!



It seems ironic that during the lead up to the festive period we are encouraged to over-eat and over-drink, then, come New Year, we are bombarded with suggestions as to how to ‘punish’ ourselves for this overindulgence. We start January with pledges to ‘give up this’ or ‘stop doing that’. All too often, come February we are admonishing ourselves for failing. In this blog we will show you how adopting a simple new habit, as opposed to depriving yourself of something, can be more sustainable and have long term benefits to your health.


By the end of this series of blog post you will understand:



In this blog post we are going to take a look at why mindful eating matters.


Lady sat in a cafe with her eyes closed mindfully eating

Why mindful eating matters?


Mindful eating is a powerful way to reconnect with the act of nourishing your body. Here are some ways it can make a big difference:


1. It helps your digestion


Digestion starts before you even take a bite of food. This is when just the thought, sight and smell of food starts to prepare your body for what it is about to receive. Your mouth will start to water and your tummy might rumble. Being aware of what you are about to eat helps this process run smoothly and is known as the cephalic phase.


A middle aged lady with short hair, smelling the food she is cooking in her kitchen.

Mindful eating encourages thorough chewing which is also crucial to good digestion (mechanical phase). It might sound simple, but chewing breaks food into smaller pieces making it easier for your stomach to handle. It also gives your body more time to release the digestive enzymes in your saliva and stomach fluids, which are needed to break down different types of food. Our grandparents were right when they told us to chew our food thoroughly, after all, your stomach doesn’t have teeth.


A young female biting into a raw carrot with her teeth.

Mindful eating will help you to eat more slowly. When you eat slowly, your stomach and brain can work together better, reducing the risk of feeling bloated or uncomfortable after eating.


2. It helps your body absorb nutrients


Nutrients are the good stuff in food, like vitamins and minerals which your body needs to stay healthy (as discussed in previous Blog posts). When food is broken down properly in the mouth and stomach, the small intestine can absorb these nutrients efficiently, giving you more energy and keeping you well.

Image of a bowl on the left with vegetables coming out the top like a fountain. On the right is a diagram of the digestive system.

3. It can help you eat the right amount


Mindful eating can help you recognise when you are hungry and when you are full by allowing your brain’s satiety signals to catch up with your eating pace. It takes about 20 minutes for your brain to recognize that your stomach is full, so eating slowly can prevent you from accidentally overeating. Additionally, paying attention, without judgement, to what and how much you eat can help reduce mindless snacking and emotional eating.


20 year old lady who have eaten too much food, is feeling full and is pushing her plate away from her.

4. It helps you make better food choices


By eating mindfully, you become more aware of the quality of your food and how it makes you feel. This awareness often leads to choosing nutrient-dense foods that make your body feel energised and satisfied while still allowing room for occasional treats. Being mindful also helps you recognise cravings driven by stress or boredom, enabling you to make more intentional choices.


White 30 year old male enjoying lunch and a drink sat at a table near a window. They at enjoying eating healthy food.

5. It helps you stay calm whilst eating


Eating in a calm, relaxed state is really important for good digestion. Stress sets off the body’s fight-or-flight response, which can dramatically speed up, or slow down, the digestion process leading to issues like diarrhoea, stomach discomfort or bloating, and poor nutrient absorption.


A 20 year old lady enjoying sushi in bed. She is relaxed, happy and savouring the flavour.

6. It builds a better relationship with food


Mindful eating helps you break free from the cycle of guilt and overeating by encouraging you to savour every bite, even when enjoying a treat. Fully appreciating the smells, flavours and textures of food can make smaller portions feel more satisfying, making you less likely to overeat or feel bad about over-indulging.


Black 30 year old eating healthy lunch outside a cafe. She is happy and looking at the camera.

Click on the button below to find out how to eat mindfully in six easy steps


 

Eating Disorder Support - Please note that this information may not be suitable for those with a previous or current eating disorder. Here is a link to a charity called BEAT who can offer you support.


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