Does What You Eat Matter?

Mindful eating, in its simplest definition, is eating with intention and attention. It means being aware of why you are eating, being present while you are eating, and noticing how food makes you feel both physically and emotionally. It’s about making choices based on what will nourish your body and satisfy your hunger, rather than what will fill you up or what you think you “should” be eating.

A common question that comes up during the journey of mindful eating is whether or not what you choose to eat is important. As far as nutrition and health, of course, it does make a difference. But for the purpose of mindful eating, it isn’t nearly as important as understanding your own habits, choices, and how food makes you feel.

Mindfulness Takes away all Judgment about Food

Even if you don’t realize it, you have certain judgments and preconceptions about food. Maybe you think too much sugar will cause acne, or eating processed food is “bad”, these judgments can damage your relationship with food.

With mindful eating, you are no longer judging anything you eat. This is when those intuitive eating practices come in. The point is not to tell yourself you shouldn’t eat something, but instead to acknowledge your food choices and understand why you made them, and how you feel while eating them.

You Become More Intuitive about What Your Body Needs

The goal of mindful eating is to be more in tune with your body and what it needs. Once you clear away all the judgment, you may find that your body naturally gravitates towards certain foods. You might start craving greens when you’re run down, or reach for a banana when you need a quick snack.

This is because your body knows what it needs, and when you’re eating mindfully, you’re more likely to listen to those cues. You’ll also be better at understanding how different foods make you feel, both physically and emotionally. This can help you make choices that are not only good for your physical health but your mental health as well.

You Learn What You and Your Body Enjoys

While what you eat doesn’t matter much in mindful eating, you do figure out what feels good, and what doesn’t, as it pertains to the types of foods you eat.

You might find that you enjoy the process of cooking and eating a healthy meal, even if it’s something as simple as roasted vegetables. Or maybe you’ll realize that you don’t actually like the taste of alcohol as much as you thought you did.

It’s not about never eating unhealthy food again, or depriving yourself of things you enjoy. It’s about being aware of your choices and how they make you feel, both physically and emotionally. When you’re eating mindfully, you’re not as focused on the actual food itself, but on the experience of eating. This can help you learn to enjoy your food more, and appreciate all the different flavors and textures that are out there.

You May Eat Less, or You May Eat More

One of the common misconceptions about mindful eating is that it will lead to weight loss. This is not necessarily true. Remember, the goal is not to restrict yourself, but to be more in tune with your body and what it needs.

For some people, this may mean eating less, as they are more in tune with their hunger cues and know when to stop eating. For others, it may mean eating more, as they are no longer restricting themselves from certain foods or overeating to make up for the lost time.

Either way, mindful eating is about listening to your body and giving it what it needs. If weight loss is a goal, it will be a natural side effect of being more in tune with your body’s cues.

You Become More Self-Aware and Pay Attention to These Signs

Mindfulness helps you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings, both good and bad. This includes your relationship with food.

You may start to notice when you’re eating out of boredom, or using food as a way to cope with stress. You might also become more aware of the times when you’re truly hungry, and how different foods make you feel after eating them.

This increased awareness can help you make better choices about what to eat, and when. It can also help you be more accepting of your body, as you learn to listen to its needs and trust its cues.

The hardest part, in the beginning, is to pay attention to these signs. But with practice, it will become second nature.

Let Yourself Eat What You Want while Seeking Clarity

One of the best things about mindful eating is that you can still eat whatever you want. The key is to do so with intention and without judgment.

If you’re craving a slice of cake, go ahead and have it. But take the time to really savor it, and pay attention to how it makes you feel both physically and emotionally. Are you enjoying the taste? Does it make your body feel good?

You might find that after eating mindfully, you no longer want the cake, or you might still enjoy it just as much. The important thing is to be aware of your choices and how they make you feel. By the end of the day, you’ll know whether or not what you eat matters.

You Can Improve Your Relationship with Food

Eating disorders are often about control. Mindful eating is about letting go of that control and learning to trust your body.

This can be a difficult process, but it’s one that can lead to a healthier and happier relationship with food. In mindful eating, you learn to listen to your body and give it what it needs. This includes both healthy and unhealthy foods.

The goal is not to deprive yourself, but to be more aware of your choices and how they make you feel. With time and practice, you’ll be able to trust your body to lead the way.

The Bottom Lines

Does what you eat matter? It can, but it doesn’t have to. The important thing is to be aware of your choices and how they make you feel, both physically and emotionally. If you’re eating mindfully, you’re more in tune with your body and its needs—and that’s what matters most.