We are all more the same than we are different. We are all shaped by how our world generally works. And how we eat, when we eat, what we eat all fall into this pattern. When we intentionally make changes, then we can learn to eat consciously.
Have you experienced any of the following?
Ate more than you needed to?
Ate because it was noon?
Captivated by something you were watching and didn’t know when your plate got empty?
Ate it all because it was there, in front of you?
These are all examples of eating unconsciously and it’s pretty common practice in our world.
Changing unconscious eating to conscious eating can help us in many ways. Below we’ll outline a few things you can try and its benefits.
Revisiting your routine of eating can help you eat consciously
We all have daily routines and they can shape our eating habits. Wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast. It’s not a bad thing to have routines. But it’s also a good idea to assess your routines from time to time and see if you need a change. For me, I didn’t really enjoy eating breakfast and I wasn’t usually hungry for it. Maybe those were related.
So I decided to start breaking my nightly fast (eating breakfast) when I’m hungry.
It’s a good idea to observe your eating habits and then consciously make changes to the time & also to the types of food you are eating. Other changes in life can help guide that more easily, but you’re reading this to be a conscious eater, so you can try it any time!
Just eat. That’s it. Do nothing else.
We are so used to reading or watching something while we eat that is change can be challenging. Start small. Start with one meal. This change can help you regulate how much you eat and also what you eat. It might even show you how much you really aren’t enjoying what is in your plate.
Listen to your body when you’re eating
When we eat out, we don’t control the portion we are given. And many times, we just keep eating until it’s all gone. One thing we can practice is looking at the food when it arrives. Look at how much is there. Keep an eye on yourself and notice when you are full. This one requires the most conscious eating because you need to be mindful at every bite. And you need to eat slow enough for your body+brain to sync up on what’s going in.
Stop after eating three fourths of it. Satisfied? Practice this a few times and see what you learn about yourself and then start your new habit. Of course, the reverse is also true. You may need to eat more if you are preparing your own meals and realize that you are not getting enough nourishment. The exercise is about observing the food before you, moderating your speed of eating, then assessing the need for more.
Appreciate the food to eat consciously
One of the most common ways we show our appreciation for food is by taking pictures of it and posting it.
Guilty. I have a ‘food album’ on my photos app on my phone. The beauty of raw vegetables and fruits amaze me. There are likely a dozen photos of a rainbow of chopped veggies on a chopping board on my phone right now. And of course, a variety of plated dishes just for my own adoration are there too. I know I’m not alone here! Food pics are some of the most shared pics online. So good for us.
But wait, there’s more.
Look, enjoy the aroma, take your photos. Then pause. And give gratitude for what is before you.
Here’s a simple blessing to practice eating consciously:
May all the beings who made this food possible be nourished. May all the places on Earth that this food comes from be healed.
That pause and that intent – it goes a long way. It unites you to yourSelf, the inner you who knows that everything is connected. It slows down your mind for moment as your consciousness shifts to something beyond the senses. And it shares love with everyone involved in making this meal before you possible, including mother Earth.
If you can just practice this one, you will see yourself change. Practice it with your intent even when you are in a hurry, when there are people around, when you are tired. It’s super powerful.
What I haven’t covered is ‘what you eat’. This one deserves a post of its own. And we will explore that separately.