Recipes: Overeating and Mindful Eating

Tomorrow we start our series on mindful eating called Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat.  The information comes from a book by Michelle May.  This series will help people with diabetes learn  techniques for eating appropriately.  This week we will be explaining about eating cycles and what causes people to overeat.  In this article Michelle, shares this information in a memorable way.

By Michelle May, M.D.

Recipe for Overeating

Ingredients:
Whole pizza, batch, bag, box, or large plate of food
2 tablespoons of deprivation
1 heaping teaspoon of guilt
Sprinkle of shame
Optional: fatigue, stress, resentment, loneliness, boredom
Directions:

1. Run yourself down physically by not sleeping, exercising, eating when you’re hungry, or consuming nutritious foods. Alternatively, wear yourself out by working too hard, being all things to all people, and trying to make everything perfect.
2. Place emotions on medium-high. Cover and simmer; do not allow steam to escape.
3. When you crave something you love, remind yourself that it’s bad, fattening, or high in carbs.
4. When your cravings grow stronger, tell yourself that you’re bad for wanting bad food.
5. Wait until an influential person such as your grandmother or co-worker insists you eat that food anyway to please them. Alternatively, sneak the food when no one is watching.
6. Sit down in front of the T.V. or choose another activity to distract yourself while you eat.
7. Before eating, garnish the food with guilt. If it’s still enjoyable, stir in some shame to ensure that the food is completely ruined.
8. Eat as quickly as possible to avoid tasting or enjoying the food.
9. You’re done when you feel sick and uncomfortable.
10. Repeat steps 1-9 until can’t stand it anymore. Try the Recipe for Mindful Eating.

Recipe for Mindful Eating

Ingredients:
Slice of pizza
1 or 2 servings of food you love
2 tablespoons of intention
1 heaping teaspoon of attention
Sprinkle of trust
Optional: pleasure, enjoyment, celebration, tradition
Directions:

1. Care for yourself physically by getting adequate sleep, exercise, and nutrition.
2. Create a self-care buffer zone by regularly nurturing your body, mind, heart, and spirit.
3. When you’re hungry, consider what you want, what you need, and what you have to eat before choosing food.
4. Decide how you want to feel when you’re finished eating; serve yourself accordingly (or adjust the portion if someone else served you).
5. When the food you crave isn’t particularly healthful, omit all guilt and shame. Remind yourself that all foods fit when you practice balance, variety, and moderation.
6. Sit down to eat and minimize distractions.
7. Savor the appearance, aromas, textures, and flavors as you eat.
8. Eat slowly and mindfully for maximal enjoyment from every bite.
9. Stop when you feel content and energetic.
10. Repeat steps 1-9 for the remainder of your life.

(To learn more about the differences between overeating and mindful eating, download chapter 1 of Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat: A Mindful Eating Program to Break Your Eat-Repent-Repeat Cycle.)