Why are we talking about mindfulness and making better food choices as a solution to a problem? Mindfulness can help us resolve a habit of making food choices we later regret. Mindless choices happen in a single moment, when we’re not paying attention. So just how can you use mindfulness to make better food choices?
What causes us to make the choices we make when we feel stressed, upset that we later regret? We want to feel better so we soothe ourselves with food. But we don’t always make the best choices. Click here to check out our blog post about eating triggers.
There is an alternative. I help the people I work with make better choices.
Want to know what the single most important thing you can do to avoid acting on a food craving? The biggest secret to disrupting an old habit is to pause and allow yourself to slow down for a moment. Then you can be present, and use mindfulness to make better food choices with a relaxation response instead of a stress response.
How do we slow down for a minute in a fast-paced world? When stressed, pause for a moment, allow your breathing to slow down and take a few deep breaths. Give your full attention to what is going on right in the moment. Relax into the moment. Allow yourself to enjoy a moment of spaciousness and openness before you respond instead of going on auto-pilot. What else can you do to use mindfulness to make better food choices?
The Power of Choice: The 6 Step CHOICE Process
Let’s break the CHOICE Process down even further with what CHOICE means using these 6 key words as a memory cue:
- C = Clarify your trigger
How? Get clear on what is triggering you to have a food craving. What just happened?
- H = Home in on your automatic response
How? Identify your usual habit of soothing yourself after you’ve been triggered?
- O = Observe your feelings
How? Ask yourself what you were feeling when triggered. Discover what it is that you really wanted. What were you really hungry for?
- I = Inquire about your options
How? Look inside. Ask yourself what options you have to do something so you’ll feel better and satisfy what you’re really hungry for.
- C = Choose your best action
How? Choose what you will do to make your best choice, grow your confidence and get your desired result.
- E = Embrace your experience
How? Experience the present and embrace the learning process. Enjoy the ride. Expect both mistakes and victories on your journey as you receive support to create lasting results.
When Daphne came to me, she was 25 lbs. overweight. She had pre-diabetes. She had no energy. She wanted a different life. We did an assessment with her about why she sometimes ate a whole pie in a day. We came up with a plan so she could make better choices. She implemented that plan. We worked together, she stayed accountable and she ended up losing the 25 lbs. and having more energy than any client I’ve ever had!
Need more help with making better food choices? Don’t worry. Give us a call. We’ll make an appointment to talk via Zoom or by phone. Together, we’ll see what’s going on and discover what’s right for you.
Call 301-869-1787 or click here to set up an appointment as my free gift to you.
Together we’ll create your healthy sweet life by building a healthy relationship with food.
To your Joy and Health,
Kay Loughrey, MPH, RDN, LDN
Transformational Speaker, Breakthrough Coach, Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist