“Food For Thought” Summary
In “Food for Thought”, Jeff Gordinier suggests that mindful eating is a form of meditation that can help us minimize stress, reduce problems associated with obesity and change our ideas about food. He describes how one can have the power to eat mindfully, if they wish it. And how eaters can enjoy this process even more, when they decide halfway through that their body has had enough. He discusses some books about paying close attention to the food in front of you. The art of eating slowly and savoring each bite, and the pleasure that comes with patiently chewing. According to the author, this concept has roots in Buddhist teachings. Just as there are forms of meditation that involve sitting, breathing, standing and walking, many Buddhist teachers encourage their students to meditate with food, expanding consciousness by paying close attention to the sensation and purpose of each morsel. Buddhist retreat centers give people experiences of such mindful eating. With life moving at an overwhelmingly fast pace, one does not stop and think about the reality of if they are eating solely because they are stressed out. Many have found that this practice has helped them diet and eat smaller portions of food at each meal. It presents the benefits of mindful eating– eating slowly, without the distraction of watching television or being connected to various electronics while doing so. Mindful eating is about focusing on the qualities and attributes of our food: the taste, the textures, and the interplay of flavors between the foods on your plate. Aromas and colors, too, are there to be appreciated, and such mindfulness might start much thinking about what the food on their plate actually is and where it came from.
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