This article on Yoga and Mindful Eating from Science Daily (2009) explains how Yoga promotes mindful eating. Here are a few paragraphs below from the article,  you can find the whole article HERE.

“Regular Yoga practice is associated with mindful eating, and people who eat mindfully are less likely to be obese, according to a study at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.” That’s good news, right?

“The researchers found that people who ate mindfully – those were aware of why they ate and stopped eating when full – weighed less than those who ate mindlessly, who ate when not hungry or in response to anxiety or depression. The researchers also found a strong association between Yoga practice and mindful eating but found no association between other types of physical activity, such as walking or running, and mindful eating.”

Hmm, other physical activities don’t affect mindful eating, but I’m sure meditation would.

“Beyond calories and diets, mindful eating takes a more holistic approach that can empower individuals to build positive relationships with food and eating, said first author Celia Framson, M.P.H., R.D., C.D.”

So this is good news! Anything that helps us be more mindful at the table is a good thing, yes? Eating mindfully may help us eat less or better, but it also helps us to enjoy our food more. We also find other ways to deal with stress when we’re more mindful. It’s easy to grab something to eat when we’re stressed, but it doesn’t really help us. Then, we have to deal with the stress and the fact that we just inhaled something that we didn’t really need or enjoy. Mindful Eating can help us avoid this whole scenario.
Personally, I like using the tools of Acupressure and daily meditation to help me be more mindful when eating and in my daily life.
What about you, what helps you to eat more mindfully? I’d like to hear and so would other readers, so please make comments! Would you like free tips send to your inbox to help you end the struggle with food and your weight? Please sign up below, I send them twice a month and they’re free! I also offer free webinars where you can experience Acupressure (TAT) to help with your food cravings and you’ll be notified first when they are offered.

Yours in Health,