The Mindful Eating Diet

Background

Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life is written by Vietnamese Zen Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh, and is coauthored by Harvard nutritionist Lilian Cheung.

This book combines modern nutritional information with ancient wisdom to create a weight loss program based on the Buddhist practice of mindfulness, which involves being fully aware of everything that is going on within us and around us.

Mindful Eating Basics

The authors commence by introducing readers to “The Four Noble Truths of Healthy Weight”.

1. Being overweight or obese is suffering.
2. You can identify the roots of your weight problem.
3. Reaching a healthy weight is possible.
4. You can follow a mindful path to a healthy weight.

You are encouraged to get started by practicing mindful breathing, mindful eating and mindful walking every day. “Mindfulness is a way of living that has been practiced over twenty-six hundred years by millions of people to help them transform their suffering into peace and joy. Applying mindfulness to your suffering with weight gives you a catalyst that you can draw on at will to change your behavior.”

Simply by consistently paying attention to what you are eating, you will naturally eat less, and over time this should result in effortless weight loss. The book explores the concept of mindful eating in great detail, devoting an entire chapter to the topic of eating an apple. Some of the practices recommended include honoring your food, engaging all six senses, serving modest portions, savoring small bites, chewing slowly and eating regular meals.

Mindful eaters are encouraged to adopt a primarily plant-based diet because it is better for your health, as well as for the health of the planet. Whole grains are especially recommended because studies show that people who eat at least two servings a day have a 20 to 30 percent lower risk of heart disease and diabetes. Conversely, you should limit your intake of refined grains, white potatoes and sweets because these foods disrupt blood glucose balance.

The authors encourage complete abstinence from alcohol to enhance mindfulness and compassion, but if you are unable to completely stop drinking you should reduce your intake by at least a third and if you are going to drink, be mindful.

A large part of the book is devoted to meditation with instructions for how to perform different meditations including a waking-up meditation, teeth-brushing meditation, hurrying meditation, smiling meditation, traffic-jam meditation, internet/email meditation, cooking meditation and more.

Recommended Mindful Foods

Vegetables, fruits, whole wheat bread, oats, brown rice, millet, barley, quinoa, beans, tofu, nuts, seeds, soy milk, tea, coffee.

Sample Meal Plan

Breakfast  Oatmeal with apple and cinnamon 1 cup coffee

Lunch  Bean burrito with lettuce, salsa and stone-ground tortilla

Afternoon Snack  Soy yogurt 1 banana

Dinner  Stir-fried tofu and vegetables with brown rice

Dessert  A few dried apricots

Exercise Recommendations

The authors recommend adhering to the US guidelines for optimizing health benefits with exercise, which consists of two and a half hours a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, or one hour and fifteen minutes of vigorous activity. Strength and flexibility exercises are also important.

Some of the potential barriers and challenges to becoming physically active are discussed and practical strategies are offered to help dieters overcome them. The connection between mindfulness and exercise is explored and included is a walking meditation, which helps you in the process of becoming fully present in the moment. The book also includes a few other “mindful exercises”.

Costs and Expenses

Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life retails at $15.99.

Click Here to purchase the book at a discounted price.

Pros

• Encourages the consumption of a plant-based diet, which has been associated with a reduced risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
• May assist dieters who struggle with emotional or mindless eating.
• Regular physical activity is recommended.
• Flexible approach that can be adjusted to suit various goals and lifestyles.
• References scientific studies to support the information presented in the book.
• Addresses the importance of stress management and a positive attitude for the maintenance of health.
• Includes a variety of different meditation techniques.

Cons

• Some dieters will require a more structured approach.
• Does not include a meal plan or recipes.
• Nutritional guidelines are lacking in clarity.
• Not all dieters respond well to a high intake of whole grains.
• Spiritual approach may not appeal to all readers.
• May take time for weight loss results to occur.

Conclusions

This mindful eating diet is based on the Buddhist practice of mindfulness as it applies to developing a healthy lifestyle approach to weight loss. Increasing awareness of daily habits related to eating, physical activity and stress management, will naturally promote healthier choices and behaviors that, over time, will lead to the achievement of ideal body weight and improved well being.