I've completely changed WHAT and WHEN I eat over the past year. Now I'm starting to think about HOW.
This NYTimes Well article about "distracted eating" made me realize that, when I eat alone, I always read a book or news or listen to NPR or watch Netflix. I never sit down, with no distractions, to enjoy my food.
According to the article: "Not only were distracted eaters worse at remembering what they had eaten, but they felt significantly less full just after lunch, even after the researchers controlled for height and weight. And at the taste-test session a half-hour later, they ate about twice as many cookies as those who had lunch without playing games."
Also, I eat very quickly, probably because I barely chew. I'm always the first one done at the table.
Today I ate dinner alone at home. I tried sitting down with no distractions, no book, no phone, no computer, to enjoy a nice leisurely meal.
Wow, boring.
Every two or three bites I would reach for my smartphone or remember something I wanted to jot down. I wasn't able to sit and eat a whole meal. My compromise was to stop eating when I turned on the computer, then take breaks (and turn the screen off) every now and then to eat.
So, that's my New Year's resolution: learn to eat without distractions, and chew my food well. Even though it's a bit of a mental challenge right now, it feels right. Slowly but surely I can do this.
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That is a GREAT resolution to have. I have the same problem. I used to always eat in front of the TV. But now since I only eat lunch that has changed and I find it much better. I do still have distractions though as I eat my lunch in a large lunch room at work with a lot of people so there is lots of socializing over lunch.
ReplyDeleteBut I find it less distracting than TV. We talk sometimes about what we are eating and about food in general so it does help you to appreciate your food more.
I remember once when I was eating some gummy bears at my desk. I had a little pile of them and I was eating them while working. Well I looked down and thought, who took my gummy bears?! I actually thought that someone had taken them, but knew that no one had been at my desk. I had eaten them and had no recollection of it. So I was left with this feeling like I needed more gummy bears...Interesting.
How about music? Put on some nice music while you eat, that might help. I know you can do it, keep us posted!!!
Music is a great idea! Or NPR. Nothing too interesting though or I'll stop eating mindfully :)
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