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What is mindfulness? It is being aware of your thoughts, emotions and physical state in the present moment. With practice, mindfulness can help you break free from reactive, habitual patterns of thinking, feeling and acting. It promotes balance, choice, wisdom and acceptance.
Mindful eating is eating with intention and attention. It can be a helpful strategy in controlling food intake and managing overall diabetes. Along with helping individuals make healthier food decisions, mindful eating can boost satisfaction with food choices, and help diabetics actually eat less.
Food is often used as a way to cope with stress and difficult situations. Many people who struggle with diabetes have unresolved food-related issues. When people are diagnosed with diabetes, their relationship with food becomes even more strained. It creates a perfect storm for mindless eating and overeating.
When you practice mindful eating, it calms the storm. With mindful eating, you:
Here are some practical tips to encourage mindful eating.
Want to know more about mindful eating and how to get started? A registered dietitian can help you put it into practice. To find a registered dietitian in your area, visit eatright.org.
Check out some of our other helpful content for managing diabetes and recipes for diabetes and pre-diabetes.
Originally published 6/11/2016; Revised 2017, 2021