How Mindful Eating Can Improve Your Mental Well-being

Zahra Kadir
3 min readJun 8, 2024

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How food can control your emotions

Have you ever felt sleepy after lunch or even after breakfast?

Well not only you, about 90% of serotonin, a neurotransmitter responsible for mood regulation, is produced in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, the food we eat directly impacts our serotonin levels, affecting our mood and emotional well-being.

After analyzing myself, especially after lunch, noticed that some products really affect my mood and emotions. I often eat on the go, mindlessly consume processed foods, and use food as a coping mechanism for stress or emotions.

After several these kind of days, I read about a powerful practice that can revolutionize the way we approach food and nourish both our bodies and minds: mindful eating.

Mindful eating is a practice rooted in mindfulness, the art of being fully present and engaged in the present moment.

It also makes a real difference if you have ADHD or any other mental health problems. Mindful eating involves paying attention to the sensory experience of eating, such as the taste, texture, and aroma of food, as well as our thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. Not only how it looks.

In a nutshell, mindful eating is about developing a non-judgmental awareness of our eating habits and making conscious choices that synchronize our bodies and overall well-being. It’s not about restrictive diets or counting calories but rather about cultivating a positive and intuitive relationship with food.

food emotions, mental health and mindful eating
Photo by Tengyart on Unsplash

After implementing mindful eating into my daily habit, I noticed:

1. Heightened Awareness:
Mindful eating helped me to slow down and savor each bite, allowing to fully experience the flavors and textures of food. Started a sense of gratitude and appreciation that food not only tastes good but gives real energy.

2. Emotional Regulation:
As I wrote earlier food is a way to cope with stress, anxiety, or other emotions. By knowing what products trigger your emotional disbalance, or why you become stressed after lunch, helps to regulate emotions.

3. Reduced Stress and Anxiety:
By focusing on the act of eating and letting go of distractions, we can create a sense of calm and tranquility that carries over into other areas of our lives.

4. Improved Digestion:
Mindful eating encourages us to eat slowly and chew our food thoroughly, which can aid digestion and prevent digestive issues such as bloating or indigestion. By paying attention to our body’s hunger and fullness cues, we can also avoid overeating and promote better digestion.

5. Enhanced Self-Compassion:
Mindful eating invites us to approach ourselves with kindness and compassion, free from judgment or criticism. By practicing self-compassion at the dinner table, we can cultivate a more positive self-image and develop greater self-acceptance.

Incorporating mindful eating into our daily lives can have profound implications for our mental well-being, allowing us to nourish not only our bodies but also our minds and spirits.

And if you’re looking to embark on this transformative journey, there’s a valuable resource that can guide you every step of the way: “Mindful Eating: Avoiding Foods That Trigger Depression.”

This comprehensive checklist is designed to help you make informed dietary choices that support your mood, energy levels, and overall mental well-being. By providing valuable insights into common foods that may exacerbate symptoms of depression, this checklist empowers you to make healthier choices and cultivate a balanced and nourishing diet that promotes emotional resilience and vitality.

Empower yourself to take control of your mental health and well-being through mindful eating habits. Download “Mindful Eating: Avoiding Foods That Trigger Depression” today and start making informed dietary choices that support your journey toward emotional wellness and vitality.

If you want to use your emotions more in a positive way, and negative recalls affect your work, business, and pocket as they did mine, it is time to control your diet and regulate your emotional balance!

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Zahra Kadir

Start up Lawyer| Adhd| Business & Law & Mental health