How to Eat More Mindfully
Weekly Technique
Ever eaten something because it was, well, there? Same—and that’s totally normal. Next time, pause and ask yourself the “5 S’s” before deciding what to do.
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If you answered yes to any of these questions, take a beat to think a little more about why and what you’re going to do next.
The food is RIGHT THERE. It’s not a lack of willpower—it’s science. Seeing or smelling a certain food can make you want it more.
Next: If you can, walk away. It might seem obvious but putting actual, physical space between you and the food can lessen the craving.
The food is part of theexperience. Popcorn at the movie theater or dessert after a fancy meal. When we’re used to things going together, the pull can be automatic.
Next: Pause. “Would I encourage myself to eat this if I was home on the couch?”
The food isspecial. A limited-edition doughnut flavor. A childhood fave you thought was discontinued. Food can seem important for many different reasons.
Next: Shake off the metaphorical gift wrapping. Then figure out if you actually want it—or if you just want to relive the memory of it—and how you might find it again.
The food just sounds good. There’s a reason menus can be a little extra when it comes to descriptions. Words like buttery, creamy, and decadent all send signals that intentionally scream, “Get this! It’s delicious!”
Next: Read the item again without any adjectives and decide how the plain ol’ dish sounds to you.
And once you recognize what’s triggering your external hunger, you can make more mindful, intentional choices about what to do in the moment. It puts you in control.
No matter what you do next, simply noticing why you might be reaching for a certain food is a win. And small wins level up to big change.
