Mindful Eating Programs and Training

Mindful Eating Programs and Training

Search
Close this search box.

How Does Mindful Eating Help?

Michelle May

By Michelle May, MD and Megrette Fletcher, M.Ed., RD., CDCES, authors of Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat with Diabetes

There is no simple formula for managing diabetes, but mindfulness can help you stop the downward spiral of overeating, inactivity, elevated blood sugars, fatigue, and worsening insulin resistance.

How? You can start by becoming more mindful. This is done by shifting your focus from “What do I do?” to “How do I feel?” For example, instead of focusing on calories, carbohydrates, and fat, become aware of why, when, what, how, and how much you eat. Let yourself see eating patterns, recognize triggers, and discover foods that are most satisfying to you.

Here’s how Lisa described it:

“When I was counting and measuring my food, I made sure to eat every last bite. I thought about diabetes and food all the time. This preoccupation only made things harder.”  Sound familiar?

When Lisa finally had enough of dieting this is what happened:

“When I decided to shift my focus and really notice how I felt, things changed. The funny thing was, by doing this, I started to enjoy eating again and I stopped worrying. I wasn’t so determined to eat everything I was ‘allowed’ and I could focus on eating what I needed.”

Care-awareness-3

Mindful eating can help you see food in a new way. When food is no longer the enemy, you can observe your thoughts, feelings, actions and results without judgment, guilt, or shame. That alone can help you feel lighter and more comfortable in your own body.

Now, shift your attention to your direct experience of eating. Notice as much as you can about each bite: taste, texture, aftertaste, thoughts, memories or other food associations. Allow your experience to guide your choices, replacing fear, anxiety, and doubt with curiosity, trust, and pleasure in each bite. By listening to what your body is saying, you have begun to create a different relationship with food and eating, opening the door to true understanding, wisdom, and health.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest

About the Author

Leave A Reply

Your journey is unique so we provide options to explore mindful eating in a way that meets your needs.