Mindfulness is an ability we all possess and can cultivate, it is deliberately paying attention, being fully aware of what is happening both inside yourself – in our bodies, hearts, and minds – and outside ourselves, in our environment.

Mindful eating should be an experience that engages all parts of us, our body, our heart, and our mind in choosing, preparing, and eating food. It involves all the senses. It immerses us in the colours, textures, scents, tastes, and even sounds of drinking and eating. It allows us to be curious to our responses to food and our inner cues to hunger and satisfaction.

If we want to work on mindfulness during eating, we need to become aware of what urges us to eat. One of the reason people are confused about hunger is that there are several different types of hunger. All of these types are actual experiences. They occur as sensation, thoughts, and even emotions within our bodies, minds, and hearts.