Re: eating with distractions

[Guest guest]

, the point of trying to eat without distractions is to allow

us the opportunity to " tune in " to our appetite, satisfaction level

and fullness, rather than " zoning out " and just eating on automatic.

Paying attention to our bodies' signals is much harder if we're not

eating with awareness.

When you fully focus just on what you're eating, you may discover all

sorts of things - perhaps that you don't need as much as you thought

you did to reach a level of fullness, perhaps even that you don't

really enjoy a supposed " favourite " food if you allow yourself to

truly focus on the experience (can be a bummer - but very

educational).

That said, yes, it's HARD for many of us. So don't feel you have to

be perfect at it. Maybe just start with ensuring you take a few

opportunities throughout your meal to pause, take some time out and

ask yourself how your hunger/fullness level is now, are you truly

enjoying what you're eating, what is your body signalling to you?

See if you can multi-task; flick your attention between what you're

viewing and what you're eating. Or at least make sure you're not so

engrossed in what you're viewing that you forget to be conscious of

the eating experience.

There's no official IE " stance " - just what works for you as you

strive to learn about and listen to your body's needs.

Good luck

Sig

>

> I love to eat with the TV or computer on. I almost cannot eat

without

> distractions! This was true even when I was following my

> nutritionist's food plan. I would lay out my totally health meal,

turn

> on the TV, and numb out.

>

> My question is this - what is IE's stance on these distractions?

> Should I try to avoid distractions while eating? I've tried before

and

> found that it was very difficult! What are some of

the " successful "

> IE'ers points of view on this?

>

> , DC (NEW - be kind!)

>

[Guest guest]

I agree with Sig.

As someone who is a Chaotic Unconscious Eater, I *know* being mindful

while I am eating is key, and that's true as much for meals as for

snacks. I think it will be key for me long-term. Like others have

mentioned here, I also " stuff down " my feelings. Awareness of what is

going on in you as you eat is really what IE is all about.. and I'm

still only just learning about it!

Sara

>

> , the point of trying to eat without distractions is to allow

> us the opportunity to " tune in " to our appetite, satisfaction level

> and fullness, rather than " zoning out " and just eating on automatic.

> Paying attention to our bodies' signals is much harder if we're not

> eating with awareness.