When is the last time you stopped to think about what you were eating during a meal? Most of us become caught up in the frantic pace of the day, trying to wolf down a meal before we have to move on to the next thing. We are distracted and sloppy while we try to eat our food as fast as we can. New studies are showing that this type of eating may have some undesirable consequences for your health. Instead, researchers and holistic health practitioners are recommending an approach known as conscious eating.

Conscious eating (sometimes referred to as mindful eating) is an approach that encourages people to slow down while consuming food. It is largely based on the mindfulness techniques used in the Buddhist tradition. Those same techniques have already demonstrated a wide variety of positive health effects including stress relief and a decrease in blood pressure. Now, professionals are recommending that people apply this more conscious approach to their eating.

You should be fully aware of what you are eating, taking the time to truly taste and savor what is put in front of you. Mindfulness encourages you to notice the colors, textures, aroma, and flavors that are found in your food. Absorb the sensations of chewing and swallowing, as well as how the food feels on your tongue. This is meant to slow down your eating, giving the brain time to register that you are full.

Health Benefits of Conscious Eating

If you can take the time to slow down your meal, the results are definitely worth it. The first benefit to conscious eating is that it seems to contribute to weight loss. People are more in tune with their body’s hunger signals with routine practice of these techniques. They can tell when they are full instead of rushing to continue eating before their brain has time to register the information. It can be an easy and simple way to kick-start weight loss and start building healthier patterns.

One research study demonstrates that there were more benefits than just weight loss. Participants who learned conscious eating saw a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Researchers aren’t entirely sure what causes those results just yet, but they believe it could be a combination of the weight loss, lower stress levels, and better food choices. Either way, the research is clearly demonstrating that there is a lot of potential for mindful eating to help improve your overall health.

Another study showed that it could lead to a decrease in depression as well. This could be a new approach to consider for patients who tend to binge eat instead of coping with their feelings. The health benefits of conscious eating can extend well beyond the physical realm to even affect your mood and overall happiness.

Are you ready to take the first steps toward more holistic health? You need to contact a knowledgeable holistic health centre like Imagine Wellness Centre. We can walk you through the process of creating a new lifestyle plan to give you the healthy life you’ve always dreamed about. Contact us today to see how we can help!