How often do you pay attention to what you eat? I mean really pay attention while you're eating? For most people, the answer is "never."
Mindless eating is the norm these days: eating while watching TV, working, reading, even driving. Mindless eating also tends to be associated with fast eating. When we're not paying attention, getting food in our faces becomes the automatic routine. This can easily lead to consuming lots of "extra" calories without wanting them or even realizing we're getting them.
So what' s the alternative? Why, mindful eating of course!
Mindfulness is a term most readily associated with meditation, yoga, and Buddhism. (It comes from Buddhist practices.) However, in experimental psychology mindfulness is considered as controlled attentiveness and keen awareness of what is happening in the present moment. Either a spiritual or clinical definition is fine; whatever works best for you.
Why do we care about mindfulness in a nutrition group? A review of mindfulness-based programs for weight loss showed a correlation between mindful eating and weight loss, although mechanisms were not clearly identified.
(A more recent study looked at the relationship between mindfulness and satisfaction in physical activity, in case you're interested.)
Mindful eating can help change your relationship with food. Do you eat before going to bed because you are tired? Do you eat additional food shortly after finishing your dinner? Are you using food as an emotional crutch? Mindful eating can help you find out. Or maybe you're eating more than you think during the day. Again, mindfulness can help.
If you'd like to learn more about mindfulness in general, The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh is a classic on the subject and a pleasant read. Hanh also co-wrote Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life which has some good material in it, but gets a little heavy with the mindfulness practices and the nutritional advice is rather suspect. For a more skeptical (and entertaining) view of mindfulness and meditation, you can read 10% Happier by ABC News anchor Dan Harris.
If the term "mindfulness" bothers you, that's OK. Call it splunge if you prefer. Whatever. Just be ready for some mindful eating coming soon to a Blitz near you!
-gary