Be Mindful of Your Eating Habits

Be mindful of your eating habits: It is about learning to be aware and non-judgemental about eating. Taking time to eat and pay attention can help us tune into our hunger and fullness cues. Being mindful is also about avoiding the good/bad or healthy/unhealthy foods mentality. All foods can fit, and allowing children to explore food without any bias or fear-based statements can help them build a positive relationship with food.

How to promote mindfulness in your school?

1. Provide opportunities to think and reflect on How, Why, What, When, Where you eat
   Students can use their 5 senses: sight, touch, smell, taste, and sound. Being mindful of the foods you eat encourages you to pay attention to the aromas, textures, flavours and taste of food. Pay attention to your likes and dislikes using these senses. This may help connect you to your eating experience and be more conscious of the food you are eating.
2. Provide enough time for children to eat without distractions. Some children take more time to eat than others, so it is important to give them enough time and not rush them.
3. Provide a judgement free environment. Avoid commenting on children’s lunch options (both positive and negative comments).
4. Teach nutrition in a positive way.
   Teach about a variety of foods, keeping all messages positive. For example “eating a variety of foods gives you energy to play and learn” instead of fear-based statements like “do not eat X food, it is unhealthy” . Remember, all foods can fit: although less healthy choices will be made at times, what is most important is what we consume on a regular basis (our overall pattern of eating).