
The habit of consuming snacks that are not healthy and high in calories will make us consume more than the body needs. It was “just a snack” but gradually piled in the stomach. Prioritizing the concept of mindful eating, aka conscious eating is a trick to prevent overeating. According to the Cleveland Clinic page, mindful eating is a strategy that helps some people adjust what they eat with body signs, to prevent overeating. “Mindful eating involves developing a special kind of awareness that is brought to the table at every meal,” says psychologist Susan Albers.
Here are some simple tricks to consciously practice eating habits:
- Close your eyes for a moment Visual aspects often affect a person’s condition when eating. People can be very hungry when they see food that looks tempting. Therefore, Albers recommends closing your eyes for a moment while eating. Removing visual signals can reduce the temptation to eat everything on the plate, plus it is easier to focus on what is eaten and trigger complacency.
- Pay attention to the process The awareness approach also invites people to focus more on the process of eating and not in a hurry to finish. The process of eating in question can vary, from scooping, cutting to chewing. Paying attention to these details can enable people to apply mindful eating. “This will help be more attentive to the process,” Albers said.
- Pay attention to the taste Every time we bite into a food, the taste is the most sought after. Likewise, when you bite into a piece of chocolate cake, which usually makes us think it is the best taste. There are reasons behind such things. According to Albers, everyone tries to recognize the sensation of new tastes, after which eventually they will get used. Well, the cycle of overeating occurs when it cannot pursue satisfaction on the first bite. Therefore, as much as possible get a sense of satisfaction at the first bite. After that, the taste of the food will become ordinary on the tongue.
