Mindful eating
Do you ever find yourself eating for reasons other than hunger? You might eat when you are bored, tired, upset or under stress. Maybe you automatically reach for sweets after supper or salty snacks in front of the TV, without ever asking yourself whether you are really hungry. These common eating pitfalls could be sabotaging your efforts at a healthy diet.
Try these strategies to get back on track:
Keep a food journal
Keeping track of what you eat can help you regain control. So grab a notebook and pen, open a file on your computer or make a note in your phone and record the following information:
● What foods you eat, and how much.
● What time you eat.
● What else is going on when you are eating. For example, is it lunchtime and you are hungry? Are you in a meeting where food is on offer, so you eat because it’s there? Are you snacking on chips while watching the hockey game? Did you reach for a chocolate bar after a stressful day?
Over time, you will be able to identify times when you are eating for reasons other than hunger.
Make a plan
Now that you know the problem, you can brainstorm some solutions. Here are some ideas:
● If you eat for emotional reasons, try doing something else that makes you happy. Try going for a walk, reading a book, listening
to music or calling a friend.
● If you snack on chips in front of the TV, try chewing gum or sipping on water. Or choose healthier options like air-popped popcorn or celery with peanut butter.
● If you crave something sweet after meals, try fruit or yogurt for dessert.
Practice mindful eating
Mindful eating means eating with awareness. When you slow down and pay attention to your food, you will be more satisfied with a smaller portion. This can prevent overeating and lead to fewer cravings. Here’s how:
● Pay attention only to your food.
● Focus on seeing, chewing, tasting and swallowing your food.
● Eat slowly and put your fork down between bites.
The next time you reach for a snack or treat, ask yourself if you are really hungry. Remember, if hunger is not the problem then eating is not the solution
Hungry for more? Like @ SobeysDietitian on Facebook and Twitter for more tasty tips & recipes or receive our schedule of events and Healthy Bits & Bites Newsletter directly to your inbox! Register at www.sobeyspharmacy/newsletter.
Nutrition events
Did you know? Sobeys Pharmacy Dietitians offer a variety of free nutrition classes and one-on-one counselling. Join Jayme’s free Healthy Weight Program starting this Friday at Sobeys Westside. To register or for more information call 902755-3645 or email jayme.saint@ sobeys.com.