Think About This...Gentle Eating!

I was watching an episode of Ruby and her therapist had an interesting session with her ‘support’ group friends. The therapist called it ‘gentle eating’. We might think of it as mindless eating.

 

The session started with a dinner that had some rules:

 

There were a couple of tables setup for dinner

A healthy meal was prepared e.g. protein, veggies, water, etc.

The meal was served; I believe everyone had the same meal and portions

 

Rules:

Sit at any table

Take as long as you want to eat

Put fork down between each bite

Chew each bite at least 20 times and swoosh the food around in your mouth

No talking

No drinking while eating

When done, quietly get up and move to another area of the room where they would have a group discussion

 

She started the meal by asking everyone to close their eyes and smell their food as that is where our enjoyment of food begins…with smell.

 

After the meal and everyone came to the meeting room, the therapist began the session by asking how they felt while they had dinner.

 

Here are some of the responses from the ladies:

Uncomfortable

Mad (I wanted to talk)

Mad (I wanted to drink as I ate)

Hard, difficult

Not able to enjoy myself

Used to socializing not just eating

Realized I was not in control of my food; food was controlling me

Still hungry; stopped eating cause I was mad and uncomfortable

 

Most agreed they have never had a meal in such a setting. Only a couple had a ‘wow’ moment when they realized some deep inner feeling about how they eat. Most were just unhappy.

 

So think about it. What is the environment like in which you eat most often? Does it contribute to mindless eating? How might you feel in this setting?

 

My thoughts…

It would have been difficult for me. I am ok not to drink with my meal – I only sip if something gets stuck as my mouth and throat tend to stay dry. Now get this little tidbit…

No talking, putting fork down, chewing my food a certain amount of time? These ‘actions’ would TAKE TIME and THOUGHT so no I do not do them (that is why they call it mindless Valerie!) I want to hurry up and eat and get it over with (this attitude is a whole another story for another day).

My thinking comes before I put food on my plate. Once it is on my plate, thought time is over! I hurry up and eat until pouch says no more, then I am done. No more thinking about food for about 4-5 hours. Once I eat, the plate has to get out of my sight. I no longer want to see/smell/think about food.

 

So YES my eating is mindless, which attributes to my fluctuating weight. Something I have to work on...one day at a time.

 

So how do you think that session would make you feel and what are your thoughts on mindless eating?

 

Come on and share! Something you say my just help me and others who are struggling in this area!

Wow that was very interesting. I have no problem not eating and drinking at the same time, but no talking that would be IMPOSSIBLE. Especially now that it takes me forever to eat. It helps me to talk so I am not just staring at my food or eating to fast.
My mindless eating comes while watching TV and just need to crunch. I will never again sit on the couch with a bag or box of anything, just a small portion of whatever snack I am eating.
Anyway thats my thoughts.
Thanks for the example
Audra

I like the idea of not having a bag of anything when I am on the couch. Too often, that bag would 'disappear' and I was still reaching in it for more!

I am thankful my pouch will not let me do that anymore and my head is finally catching up so I portion out my food.  

I do still catch myself from time to time thinking I can 'eyeball' a portion. They still come out too big. Maybe I should have my glasses marked 'portions are BIGGER than what they appear' 

Thanks for sharing!  

hmmmmm??????

This has struck a nerve. I need to think about it for a day or two.......

- Iris

Take as long as you need to respond.

My posts usually take a couple of days for me to write (and not because they are sooooo long!) . More or less because my posts share a realization I have had about my ownself and it becomes emotional for me. I cry very easily (true side affect from surgery - my altar ego Miss Sensitivity woke up from a coma) so I sometimes cannot readily respond or initiate a new post.

By the time you post I may be telling the story (yes another one) I mentioned about wanting to hurry up and eat and get it over with.  

Take care...

 

Great post Valerie!

I would say that lately I really struggle with mindful eating lately. It's not that I do so much 'mindless' eating, but I really have been struggling with making sure that I eat enough and often enough and even when I do eat, I don't think that I'm generally very 'present' for the experience. Everything is in such turmoil, that not even meals are as they normally should be and hopefully that will change sooner than later.

Overall, I think that this exercise probably would have been okay for me, but I would have been very aware of not being allowed to talk... and you know how I like to talk ;-) I think the need to become mindful is something that we need to develop... kind of like a muscle. I do think finding ways to take our time eating and focusing on what we are doing is something that not many, if any of us did before and is a new 'skill' we need to develop. I don't know if in the long run, not talking at meals would work for me, but for the exercise, I can see how it would make you more aware of what you were doing.

Thanks again for the thoughtful post.

Hey lady...[[[hugs for today]]]...

I get the 'not being present for the experience'. I know I always ate for enjoyment before. Food as my friend and comfort brought a very pleasant relief.

I view 'eating' as a chore now. Something I have to do. It really is not something I enjoy anymore (hence my story to come about why I want it hurry up and eat).

Seems like I went from viewing food as my best friend to viewing food as my enemy.  I have totally missed the middle ground going from one extreme to the other end of the spectrum.

So, I still have head issues, but I know they can be overcome.  

Keep working on your eating and I am still praying for things to settle down for you and your family.

Hi Valerie,

Generally, I have found the ability to thoroughly enjoy eating most of the time. Right now, I'm struggling, but it's doesn't have a thing to do with surgery, it's just life getting in the way and I know that eventually the issues that are driving me will resolve. 

I think that since I can only eat a little at a time, I am generally more interested in really enjoying what I eat. The other thing is that I have found that it is necessary for me to eat that lean protein and complex carbs first, but to allow myself the pleasure of those simple carbs/fats too.  It keeps me from feeling deprived and/or angry about the decisions that I make when I'm choosing what I'm eating.

Thanks again for your loving friendship and support. It means more than words will ever truly be able to convey.

Warmly,

 I think that since I can only eat a little at a time, I am generally more interested in really enjoying what I eat.

This is my 'take-a-way'!

I do think I have ever been interested in enjoying my food, no matter how much I could eat!

Before surgery it was a comfort, It soothed the hurt. Food was a salve for whatever was ailing me. Like Vick's Vapor Rub (what a comparison)!

After surgery, I now think of eating as a chore. Something I must do. 

I think when I had to let go of my 'friend', I truly cut off the entire relationship. I did not leave any room to form a healthy relationship with food. I have gone from one extreme to the next.

Thanks Barb! You always have something helpful for me!

 

I follow Ruby and saw this episode but I am still trying to absorb it. I am also thinking about the food is an addiction thing as well. I do hope to get some real therapy at some point to work on my food relationship but for now here is my therapy. All you guys. Thanks for such a thoughtful post Valerie!