Mindful Eating: Replenishing Your Body During Recovery

“Never eat carbs after 7:00 PM!” “Always, ask your server if the fish is farm-raised or wild-caught!” You can’t eat ice cream and stay skinny.”

Why is it that so many diets and articles about nutrition only emphasize what you can (and can’t) eat – and to extremes? These days, it can be overwhelming (and downright confusing at times) to know what to eat and what to steer clear of in the grocery aisles.

But, it doesn’t have to be that hard. Many nutritionists recommend a more holistic approach, mindful eating. It’s all about getting back to the basics of eating well – and most importantly, being thoughtful about it. Truly enjoying a meal and taking the time relish all of the textures and sweet and savory flavors.

By taking the time to get in tune with your body and understand when you’re hungry and savor the food you’re eating, you can reduce your risk of eating too much. And, that’s an especially important skill to learn while on a journey to addiction recovery. It can help you sidestep the risk of eating to fill the emotional void that addiction once occupied while also helping you consciously replenish your system with the right foods during and after detox.

Want to stop mindless snacking and start becoming more mindful about what you eat? Here are three tips to help you get started.

(1) Put away your phone and turn off the TV. 
A big part of mindfulness is all about being tuned in to what you’re doing and tuning out the distractions. Before you sit down to eat dinner, take a quick look around. What might interrupt your meal? Get up and turn it down or turn it off before you pick up your fork.

(2) Take a seat at your dining room table, not your coffee table. 
Eating something great, with your friends and family by your side is something worth relishing. It may sound trivial, but the mere act of enjoying a meal with others, can help you appreciate what you’re eating a little bit more.

(3) Skip the drive thru for the grocery aisle. 
When you take the time to cook something, you’re not only enjoying the meal, you’re also enjoying the entire process. From shopping, to prepping to putting the meal together, you’re embracing (and appreciating!) the process from A to Z.

Embracing New Life Skills During Transitional Residential Care 

Our Rise Up Program was created for women seeking additional care after primary treatment. If you are graduating from a stabilization program and realize you need more help, then this program is for you. During transitional residential care, you’ll learn critical life skills for independent living including nutritional guidance, healthy coping skills, relapse prevention strategies and more. To learn more, call today: (866) 746-1558.