Have you heard about mindful eating?

Mealtime and children can sometimes be such a struggle. The first thing parents think of doing is to give our children a gadget so that they will finish their food. Or we give them toys to play with to distract and then we shovel the food into their mouths. But… do we realize the adverse effect this is having on our child and the benefits that can be obtained through mindful eating?

Studies have shown that children who develop the habit of eating in front of a screen, consequently grown up with a tendency to be obese. Additionally, when a child is distracted during meals, they are not aware of what they are eating – the flavors, the textures, the aromas…

More and more parents are practicing MINDFUL EATING to help their children develop a healthier, long-lasting eating lifestyle for their children.

Above all, being mindful of eating and getting in touch with the taste, texture, and flavor can help kids enjoy their food more and make meal time a less challenging process. It can also help them feel more satisfied on less food and reduce the potential for unhealthy weight gain.

We would like to introduce mindful eating and some tips to help you finally get started on your mindful eating journey.

Mindful eating is obtained when we engage all five senses (touch, smell, taste, sight, and sound) with full awareness, which can certainly allow us to gain more enjoyment and satisfaction with our meals. Eating mindfully can lead to positive and lasting changes; which will certainly teach us to savor every bite and helps develop a healthy relationship with food.

DISCUSS THE FOOD – At the dinner table discuss how much you like or dislike a certain food. Ask your child to describe the taste or texture and if they don’t like it, encourage them to explain why that’s the case.

GRATITUDE – It’s important to be grateful for our full plates, acknowledge and thank the people who made this wonderful meal such as: the farmers, the person who bought the ingredients, the person who prepared it with love.

EATING ENVIRONMENT – Develop healthy eating environments. Before sitting at the dining table, put the PHONE FAR AWAY, TURN OFF the TV and enjoy your food. Take the time to talk to family members about their lives and have a conversation. A meal should be a positive and enjoyable time for all.

GET YOUR CHILD INVOLVED – Get your child involved in food selection and meal preparation. Additionally, take your child grocery shopping and encourage her to select produce they want to try. Make a habit of trying one different food, as a family, once a week. Let them help you in the kitchen.