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Writer's pictureLiam Phillips BSc

The Benefits of Mindful Eating for Weight Loss

Updated: Jun 8, 2023


If you're looking to lose weight, you've probably tried a lot of different diets and

approaches. However, one technique that is gaining popularity is mindful eating. Mindful

eating is a practice that involves being fully present and intentional while you eat.

By doing this, you can develop a healthier relationship with food, make more informed

choices, and promote sustainable weight loss. In this blog post, we'll explore what mindful

eating is, how it works for weight loss, and some techniques, practices, and tips you can use

to incorporate mindful eating into your daily life.


What Is Mindful Eating and How Does It Work for Weight Loss?

Mindful eating is a practice that involves being present and aware while you eat. This means

paying attention to your body, your hunger cues, and how food makes you feel. Mindful

eating is about slowing down, savouring your food, and really experiencing the flavours,

textures, and smells. By being mindful when you eat, you can be more in tune with your

body and its needs.

When it comes to weight loss, mindful eating can be an effective tool because it can help

you make more informed choices. Instead of mindlessly eating out of habit or boredom, you

can listen to what your body really needs. This can prevent overeating, binge eating, and

emotional eating, which can all contribute to weight gain.


How Mindful Eating Can Help Improve Your Relationship with Food

When you practice mindful eating, you can develop a healthier relationship with food. This

means that you can learn to enjoy food without feeling guilty or ashamed. Mindful eating

encourages a non-judgmental attitude towards food and eating, which can reduce stress

and anxiety around meal times.

Mindful eating can also help you break free from diet rules and restrictions. Instead of

focusing on what you can't eat or what you shouldn't eat, you can focus on what you can

eat and what will nourish your body. This can be liberating and empowering, and it can help

you make sustainable changes to your eating habits.


Mindful Eating Techniques and Practices for Weight Loss

There are many techniques and practices you can use to incorporate mindful eating into

your daily life. One simple technique is to eat without distractions. This means turning off

the TV or putting away your phone while you eat. By doing this, you can focus on your food

and your body, rather than getting distracted by external stimuli.

Another technique is to eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly. This can help you savor

your food and feel more satisfied with smaller portions. You can also pay attention to your

hunger cues and eat when you're hungry, rather than eating out of habit or boredom.


Finally, you can practice gratitude and appreciation for your food. This means

acknowledging where your food comes from, the effort that went into growing and

preparing it, and the nourishment it provides for your body.




The Science Behind Mindful Eating and Weight Loss

There is a growing body of research that supports the effectiveness of mindful eating for

weight loss (1). The science behind mindful eating is based on the concept of interoception,

which is the ability to sense and understand the internal state of your body. When you

practice mindful eating, you can improve your interoceptive awareness, which can help you

make more informed choices about what you eat and how much you eat.


Tips for Incorporating Mindful Eating into Your Daily Life for Sustainable Weight Loss

If you're interested in incorporating mindful eating into your daily life, here are some tips to

get you started:

1. Start small - try incorporating one mindful eating practice at a time, such as eating

without distractions or chewing your food more slowly.

2. Be patient and non-judgmental - it takes time to develop new habits, so be kind to

yourself and don't expect perfection.

3. Seek support - consider working with a registered dietitian or therapist who

specialises in mindful eating.

4. Practice gratitude - take a moment to appreciate your food and the nourishment it

provides for your body.

Finally, remember that mindful eating is not a diet or a quick fix. It's a way of life that can

help you develop a healthier relationship with food and promote sustainable weight loss

over time. Find it hard to remember to develop new habits? Our app allows you to work with your weight loss coach to come up with habits. We then build this into your profile and each day when you achieve this habit you get to tick it off. This was you can see your progress and win streaks which is highly motivating and increases your chances of turning this habit into every day behaviour. (learn more about our programme here; https://www.pocketcoach.online/)


Mindful eating is a powerful tool for weight loss and overall health.

By practicing mindfulness at meal times, you can develop a healthier relationship with food,

make more informed choices, and promote sustainable weight loss. From simple techniques

like eating without distractions to more complex practices like interoceptive awareness,

there are many ways to incorporate mindful eating into your daily life. So why not give it a

try and see how it can benefit you?


References:


Emma Kitching Pocket Coach Weight Loss Coach

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