Guest Blog Post by Melissa Mauricio, Certified Health Coach.

Melissa here to dive deep into mindful eating! I currently have my own private health coaching practice where I help people find the food and lifestyle habits that work for their unique body, so that they can be happy, healthy, confident, and no longer feel restricted or deprived.

One of the most important parts of the work I do with my clients is mindful eating. With increasing responsibilities and schedules that are busier than ever, food and health can get pushed to the bottom of the priority list. We forget that our health should be our number one priority because without it, we can’t do much.

Mindful eating is an important change that you can make in your life that will greatly impact your health. I like to call this a big needle-mover, a small change that makes a big difference. In short, mindful eating involves being fully present with your meal.

The more you practice mindful eating, the more you’ll start to feel satisfied with your meal. You might notice that you’re enjoying your food more and mealtime becomes a sacred time for you. Also, your digestion greatly improves as your body is able to absorb nutrients more efficiently. Taking this important time for yourself will also benefit your mental and emotional health.

Here’s how to bring a little more mindfulness into your meals every day:

1. Consciously choose foods that look delicious and that you’re excited to eat.
2. Chew Slowly. The more you chew your food, the easier it is for your digestive system to break it down. You’ll also give your brain time to catch up to the experience of eating your meal. This will improve your overall satiety signals and you’ll be more satisfied at the end of your meal.
3. Quality. Choose the highest quality ingredients you can.
4. Make your meal an event. Refrain from multi tasking and sit at a table the way you would at a restaurant. Engage in conversation if you’re eating with someone.
5. Engage all your senses. Really pay attention to the texture, temperature, the taste, colors, the way it smells, and even the way it’s plated. All of your senses contribute to the experience.
6. Learn to listen to your body. Your meals are supposed to be enjoyable, and ultimately, we eat so that we can have healthy nourished bodies. It’s important to learn to listen to your body so you know what foods contribute to the quality of life you want to have. The more mindful you become during mealtime, the more mindful you’ll also be about what your body is telling you.

In my private health coaching practice I help clients learn to tap into their own body signals and make changes in a way that lasts and allows them to live their best lives.

To learn more about Melissa, you can visit her website here and follow her on Instagram here.