Mindful Munching

Hey Folks! We’re excited to welcome back Certified 21DSD Coach Natalie Washabaugh. Natalie's article is part of a series of articles contributed by our Certified 21DSD Coaches. Enjoy! – Diane and Team

Have you ever sat down on the couch, flipped on Netflix and binge-watched your favorite show while also plowing through a box of your favorite snacks? Please say yes, because I am beginning to feel like a glutton as I admit this! It is safe to assume you have, because 100% of my clients have expressed a similar scenario to me during our first consultation.

“I just don’t know what happened. I looked down and it was all gone!”

Perhaps this type of behavior and the guilt that quickly follows is the reason you are here today. Has this mindless eating brought you to The 21-Day Sugar Detox? Do not worry, you are in great hands!

21DSD-Coach-Guest-Post-Square-Washabaugh-MindfulMunchMindless (eating) is defined by Merriam-Webster as:
  • (eating) done without justification or concern for the consequences
  • having or showing no ability to think, feel, or respond (while eating)
  • (eating which) requires very little attention or thought

This is the perfect way to describe how those cheesy crackers, kettle corn, pretzels, or (insert your favorite snack here) magically “disappeared”. We are eating with no thought or concern. Our mind is not focused on what we are putting in our mouths or how much of it is being shoveled in, but what is happening on the screen in front of us. We are eating while our attention is elsewhere, thoroughly focused on the epic cliffhanger that has just occurred. While waiting with bated breath for the next scene, we continue to chew with little regard for our full stomach. The next thing we know, the box of snacks is empty, our level of guilt is sky high and there are still hours of shows to be watched.

Mindful (eating) is defined by Merriam-Webster as:
  • bearing in mind (what you are eating)
  • inclined to be aware (of what and when you are eating)

While on The 21-Day Sugar Detox, try some mindful eating. Try to eat with awareness and a plan. I do not advocate that clients obsessively think about food and their next meal. Doing so is very unhealthy and comes from a diet mentality in which you feel deprived every minute of the day. The best thing about this detox is the fact that it is not a diet! We are not cutting calories. We are not starving ourselves. We are eating whole, natural, real foods that fuel our bodies.

Be mindful of what you are putting in your body. Be conscious of how foods make you feel. How does this food affect you mind, body and soul? Use that to guide your decision making in regards to the foods you are eating. And do not eat in front of the television while binge-watching Netflix, ever!

Eat with a purpose, eat for health.

NatalieWashabaughNatalie Washabaugh-Jimenez is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP), a certified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter, a blogger at www.anourishedappetite.com, and a 21-Day Sugar Detox Certified Coach here to help you on the path to eliminating cravings and nourishing your body!

Comments 1

  1. Love the article! Eating with awareness and a plan will allow individuals to eat healthy without starving themselves but instead to eat the whole, natural foods. Couldn’t agree more! Doing this will help raise our peace of mind!
    Thank you!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *