How to avoid eating out of Boredom / Mindless Eating

DISCLAIMER: Please notice that this post is for people, like me, who eats out of boredom not for hunger. I’m not at all supporting the idea of avoid eating. Do not misinterpret this message linked to anorexia or any other eating disorder. If you have not eaten in the last 4 hours, then your body is asking you for food and nutritions. Listen to your body and take healthy measures.  All the information here shared (in the article and the blog in general) and my own does not substitute professional medical advice.

Bored, Not Hungry via A Lovely Life, Indeed

If you’re one of the many people who choose to make their way to the pantry when you’re bored, STOP! There are many other productive things you could be doing that will take your mind off food. Try some of these activities:

1. Plate It

When I want to eat everything in sight, it’s sometimes for a good reason: I’m hungry! If my breakfast, lunch, or dinner doesn’t satisfy me, I inevitably end up aimlessly snacking. Instead, I prepare a snack with a mix of healthy carbs, protein, and fat, and place it on a plate before I eat it. That way, I see how much I am eating instead of mindlessly chomping away.

2. Drink Up

I drink water throughout the day, but I also sip right before and during my meals to help satisfy my hunger. And if I’m feeling extra snacky, I’ll chug 8 to 10 ounces of water and then wait a little while before I decide whether to eat something. Most of the time, water does the trick.

3. Take A Walk

A brisk 10-minute walk around the block with my iPod almost always cures my boredom munchies. Plus, I get a little extra exercise in my day!
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What is ‘Mindful eating’? What type of ‘Mindless Eater’ are you?

It is probably one of the most common things nowadays: Eating in front of the TV, eating while reading, eating while checking social networks on the mobile, eating while working in front of the computer… It happens to me and I have tried to get rid of that habit, which I’m aware is really bad. My mom (and I’m almost sure yours too) always told me it was terrible to eat while doing something else, but why? What if I don’t find the time to just eat because I have lots of work and I prefer to sacrifice eating my meal while working in front of the computer than leaving later? Or is a bit boring especially when living alone and you have no one else to talk to. It happens to me. I actually don’t eat much if I’m not watching something. Also, that I eat faster when doing so. Sometimes I’m not fully aware of what I’m eating. Has it happened to you that later in the evening or the next day(s) you don’t even remember what you ate?  But really, why is it SO wrong?

Well… I dedicated some time browsing around and found the answer. I’ll share with you three articles that go deep into the topic from experts. There is incredibly a lot of information out there, really lots. So… I hope these data helps you changing this habit. I am decided to cut it off. Here we go!

How to really enjoy your meal | What kind of Mindless Eater are you?
Mindful Eating is eating with Intention and Attention

Continue reading “What is ‘Mindful eating’? What type of ‘Mindless Eater’ are you?”