Mindful Eating: Old Habits

Whether you are trying to lose weight, or just want to adopt a healthier life, paying attention to your body matters. In our current food environment, there are a few things we have lost. These all matter, not only for your health but for social cohesion.

The first is to eat at the table. Eating with family was something we used to do decades ago. It was a social norm. It allowed for families to get close and talk. Moreover, in human societies eating as a community is old. It goes back to the fire, at the Savannah, even before modern humans evolved. We are wired to do this. The drive-through and the car are not normal. Eating at the tv, work, with all electronic distractions, is not normal.

Make a point of clearing the table. Try to eat there for at least a single mean. Remove the distractions. There are a few things that will happen. The first is that you will be able to notice when you are full. This is not a minor thing. Once you listen to your body, those satiety cues will help you realize just how much you should eat. All the weighing and measuring is an artificial way for your body to work.

Indeed, if you have not done this for years, it will take time but it’s worth the effort.

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