Multitasking Maven

You're a master multitasker.

But multitasking while you eat can lead to unwanted overeating and mindless munching.

Let me ask you… Have you ever sat down with a bag of chips only to dip your hand in 20 minutes later and realize… it’s empty?? Or eaten a whole meal without even really tasting a single bite?

If this sounds familiar to you, it’s time to bring your focus back to your food and away from your phone/ computer/ the road/ tv. Distracted eating = mindless eating. And mindful eating is the foundation of long-term success.

P.S. If the thought of eating alone in silence makes you physically uncomfortable, you’ve landed on the right quiz result. 😘

But don’t worry - I’ve got some tips to help you eat more mindfully so you can enjoy your food and learn to honor your hunger (and fullness) signals again.

try these tips:

1. Eat without distractions. This is super uncomfortable at first, so you can start by listening to music while you eat, eating near a window so you can people watch (my personal favorite!), eating outside, or eating with a friend or family member.

2. Use a bowl or plate when you eat. Got a sweet tooth? Put your ice cream in a bowl and then put the carton back in the freezer. Do not take the carton with you to the couch. One more time for the ladies in the back: do not take the carton with you to the couch. This applies to chips, cookies, and even healthy foods that are easily overeaten like peanut butter, nuts, grapes, etc. Remove the food from its original container and go back for seconds only if you’re still hungry. This helps lower the likelihood of mindlessly munching through an entire carton of ice cream or bag of pistachios.

3. Pre-portion your snacks ahead of time. If you don’t trust yourself yet to stop eating when you’re no longer hungry, purchase pre-portioned snacks or put them into portion-sized bags or containers as soon as you get home from the store. That way, even if you mindlessly munch your way through a portion-sized bag, you have to consciously make a decision to get up for seconds.

4. If you feel weird at first without something in your mouth or hands while you’re watching tv, try chewing gum, sipping seltzer water, coloring, painting your nails, or knitting.

5. Write down what you eat. Sometimes just knowing you’ll be writing your food down helps you make more mindful decisions about what you eat (and how much). Plus, if you use a holistic food journal like the Eat Freely Journal or Daily Food Journal Notepad you’ll learn more about your overeating triggers and can start to heal your relationship with food for good.