March is Nutrition Month – and this year’s theme is More than Food. We love food, yes, and we believe in its potential to enhance lives and improve health, but we take a broad view of the factors that impact healthy eating – including how we eat.
The 2020 Nutrition Month campaign recognizes the Healthy Eating Habits that are part of the new Canada’s Food Guide…
BE MINDFUL, here are MCC’s top 5 tips to help you become a mindful eater and enjoy your food!
Take time to eat
Most people eat during a task, this can trick your brain and assume that you have not eaten – thus you will eat more and you will not enjoy the food taste and pleasure as much as if you were aware of the food. Carve time out of your day to eat, and remove any form of distraction – computer, paper, books and/or cell phone.
Cook more often
Not only will you have full awareness of what you are eating – less chance of hidden fats.. – you will also enjoy and take ownership of the meal you made, and this alone creates a sense of enjoyment. I recently read a book called the blue zone – all cultures that have long lifespans cook more and eat at home more! They enjoy the preparation off food from the growth in the garden to the preparation to table.
Enjoy what you are eating
So many of us dread the thought of a diet because we fear the food will not be enjoyable. I personally believe that healthy food can be enjoyable, the key is to embrace the foods, become aware of their potential and understand the diversity of preparation. Eating a chicken salad day after day can be boring, simple twists like the addition of textures, colours, and flavours can make that salad pleasurable every time you eat it.
Eat meals with others
Eating alone is never fun, add a few people and great conversation and now your meal becomes an event. My family consists of five people, and my kids are at a really busy age. However we have a rule that we will eat one meal together a day, and it’s not always dinner. We use our communal meal as a way to express our highs and lows of the day, and to joke and laugh. A state of happiness is not only blissful, but it also has a positive impact on your stress levels and this, in turn, will strengthen your digestion.
Eat slowly and thoughtfully
Notice when you feel full, don’t rush when eating out, put your knife and fork down between bites and chew your food thoroughly to experience all of the: aromas + textures + flavours and taste.
