Mindful Eating Tips this Easter

31 Mar Mindful Eating Tips this Easter

For many of us, Easter brings about chocolate overboard! As enjoyable as this should be, it often comes with overindulgence and then guilt. Shifting our mindset during this period of time and working on being more mindful can alleviate some of these negative connotations and bring about more enjoyment instead!

First off, it’s important to remember that this additional chocolate availability is only happening once in a year. Eating extra chocolate for a couple of days won’t significantly impact your nutrition goals, especially if the rest of your day is full of nutritious foods.

This period of time shouldn’t be about deprivation. We know that the more we deny ourselves something we want (such as chocolate), the more we will crave it. This can often lead to the pendulum swinging the other way and overindulgence can occur. Instead, we are looking to shift our mindset so that we can work on bringing in as much enjoyment from the experience as we can!

easter-egg

The initial step is being in control of your decision. Chocolate is likely to be everywhere and offered to you at essentially any time! You’ll see chocolate at schools, workplaces, lining the shelves in supermarkets (and then being heavily reduced post-Easter!), family functions and given as gifts. Just because something is being offered to you doesn’t mean it has to be accepted and consumed instantly. However, if you would like to have some, be clear that you’re the person in control of saying yes and know that it’s completely fine to do so

Once you’ve decided that you’ll have some chocolate, what can you do to enjoy it as much as possible ? This is a key component in helping us reduce guilt and increase satisfaction. There are a number of ways you can do this:

 

Reduce distractions

Turn the TV off and put your phone away because the less distraction and stimuli you have around you the more attention you are able to give to the delicious treat you’re about to enjoy! Instead of mindlessly eating egg after egg while sitting at your desk or watching TV and not noticing how truly delicious it is, you’ll now be able to really take it all in.

Make it an event

Let’s savour this enjoyable experience! Try not to eat your chocolate straight out of the packet from the pantry. Instead, unwrap it and place it in a small bowl or nice plate. Move away from the kitchen or your desk and to a designated eating area to appreciate your chocolate. Brew yourself a cup of tea to sit back and relax.

Take your time

How many times have you been really excited to eat something you’ve been craving only to scoff it down in seconds and not even remember how it tasted? This is what we are trying to avoid! Take small bites, chew frequently and put your chocolate pieces down in between mouthfuls.

Use your senses

We often forget our other senses beyond just taste when we eat, but utilising these to the best of our ability can really help to be immersed in the experience. Look at the food you’re going to eat before you pop it into your mouth. What does it smell like? What does it sound like when you chew? Crunchy? Soft?

eggs-easter

The beauty in mindful eating is that there is no wrong way to do it. Have a bit of fun with some of these tips and embrace enjoying your food more!

If you’d like personalised nutrition advice, our Dietitian Alex consults online and in person at the clinic on Monday mornings and Tuesday afternoons.

Dietitian servicing Glen Iris, Ashburton, Malvern East, Chadstone, Hawthorn, Camberwell, Caulfield, Carnegie.