The Difference Between Mindless Eating and Mindful Eating

Collage of people eating mindlessly. The Difference Between Mindless and Mindful Eating

Filed Under: Mindful Eating

17 August 2016 | Written by Xenia Ayiotis

“When walking, walk. When eating, eat.” — Zen Proverb

Have you ever eaten something and when you look down it’s finished and you don’t remember eating the food?

This often happens with chips, nuts and popcorn but it can also happen with a plate of food! This is typical mindless eating. Mindless eating essentially, is eating on auto-pilot…

Let’s look at some of the characteristics of Mindless Eating:

  • The classic form of mindless eating is eating while multi-tasking. We justify this by saying we are so busy and have so much to do! So we eat at our desks, snack in front of our computer, we eat in our cars and on the run, standing up.
  • It is very enjoyable to combine pleasures: eating in front of the TV and watching our favourite series, but our attention is divided so we don’t get maximum pleasure from our food and so we need more and more! If we eat and multi-task, the chances are we will overeat because our attention is not on our food.
  • Eating and thinking at the same time is also mindless eating – typically we do this whilst problem solving. Our minds are so deep in thought that before we know it, the food is finished and we can’t remember the taste!
  • Mindless eating happens when we are bored, stressed, anxious or sad – we want to distract ourselves from the discomfort of the unpleasant emotion, so we eat!
  • Sometimes we mindlessly eat because the food is there in front of us and eating has nothing to do with our physical hunger or we continue to eat regardless of fullness, because there is still food on our plate.

Mindful Eating on the other hand, is getting out of auto-pilot and becoming aware of our moment to moment experiences:

  • We eat mindfully when we pay attention to our hunger and mostly eat out of hunger.
  • Becoming aware and noticing how we feel emotionally and physically before and as we eat. Very often if we notice we are tired, we realise that it’s rest we need and not food.
  • Mindful eating is eating slowly (as much as possible, even if it’s just the first few bites of a meal) and becoming aware of the taste, texture, aroma and flavours of the food – essentially being in the moment and taking the meal bite by bite.
  • A mindful eater will determine his/her hunger level and eat accordingly.
  • There is no guilt or judgement when we eat mindfully, we simply notice and decide what and how much to eat consciously.
  • When we overeat, we learn from the experience and let it go without beating ourselves up.

Do you want to start eating mindfully? Here are some simple steps:

  • Eat without distractions – no computer, iPad, cellphone, book, radio.
  • Do not eat in the car or on the go.
  • Eat while sitting down. Put the food on a plate.
  • Pause in the middle of your meal.

The great thing about Mindful Eating is that it is NOT a diet. It is realistic, practical and easy to follow. There are no rules or restrictions. There is no imposed hunger or deprivation and there is no guilt or judgement about how much or what you eat. You are in charge and empowered.

The main benefit is that it is a way of eating that anyone can follow – you can be vegan, vegetarian, kosher, halaal.

It works long term because you address the reasons why you are overeating instead of imposing dietary rules.

Mindful Eating helps us develop a healthy, peaceful relationship with food and eating. It gives us freedom around all types of foods.

Mindfully Yours,
Xen.

“From our first meeting - two faces on Zoom across the world from each other, there was a sense of familiarity and comfort that was a healing balm for a lifetime of food struggles and dieting. Without realizing how much damage I had done to myself by adhering, for decades, to restrictive food plans and rigid diet programs, Xen had a way of redirecting the harsh and negative self-talk and sending me forth each week with compassion, mindfulness and a new way of seeing myself in the here and now. Gone are the maybe somedays, and if-only, and when-I’m-smaller thinking. Now I am committed to the imperfect and rocky path to listening to my body, accepting my perfect imperfections, and rejecting diet mentality. Those negative voices will revisit me from time to time, I know, but Xen has offered valuable tools for meeting each day as a fresh start - another choice, another chance. Her devotion to this work and her belief in her clients is a remarkable gift; I am so fortunate to have found her. It is never too late to let go of the drama and embrace joy, ease and self-acceptance.”

Karen L, Denver, USA

“I felt hopeless and helpless in my daily struggle with mindless eating for many years. Then I found Xen which is exactly what I needed! My decision to work with her helped me to finally repair my relationship with food. It's changing my life for the better, one day at a time. Now I have control over the food, instead of it having control over me, which is the way it should be. I highly recommend Xen to anyone who has a desire to overcome similar food struggles. Xen, thank you from the bottom of my heart!”

Karen J, Colorado, USA

“I reached out to Xenia because 2021 started on a tumultuous note for me. Between deaths, businesses suffering, hospitalizations, and job losses in our personal circle, I felt depleted and found myself being available for everyone but myself. Then I was hit with an unexpected health diagnosis, which was the last straw as it meant giving up “healthy foods” and workouts that I leaned on for my well-being and stability. Despite working in wellness (Yes, coaches and healers are vulnerable too!), I found myself reaching out to desserts for comfort. I like to live a life of permissions (not labels or deprivation leading to bingeing), so I wanted to work with someone who approached healing from a place of mindful compassion. I didn’t want to be my own client. Xenia was great in reminding me to be kind to myself. Working with her, brought me peace and helped shift my mindset. I love how desserts and I look at each other now.”

Sweta Vikram, New York, USA

“Working with Xenia was amazing. She armed me with a bunch of tools to help me through difficult times. Xenia is the kind of person who really cares for helping you in the long run. Her work will forever have an impact in my life.”

Daniela Velásquez, Ottawa, Canada

“Working with Xen was a game changer for me. After working together for a few months my relationship with food radically changed. I no longer felt like a failure. I now have the tools to nourish my body with foods that feel good in my body. I don’t feel guilty about eating cake or chocolate, I also don’t overeat cake and chocolate. I no longer feel the need to exercise to compensate for my eating. I feel much more free around eating and I am more accepting of my body. Xen has a nonjudgmental and compassionate approach to coaching and really supports you in the process.”

Rachel, Dublin, Ireland

“Working with Xen has been very empowering. Her approach is so refreshing from the usual. I have learned that I am in charge and that I get to choose what I put in my body and how to move my body in a way that I like! I get to make my own choices. It’s so liberating. Once you get a taste of freedom with food, there is no turning back to old ways! Thanks Xen for guiding me along the way to freedom.”

Heather B, Cork. Ireland

“This is the answer for those of you that struggle with food and all that surrounds it. Xenia said that I could make peace with food and it seemed at the time like an impossible dream. Turns out it isn’t. I recommend Xen and the mindful eating / intuitive eating approach unreservedly. If you have any questions about my experience, please get in touch. Thank you Xen. My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐”

Michelle, Johannesburg, South Africa

“Xenia was a walking, living, breathing example of what can be done. I laughed and cried my way through a short course in this fascinating and invigorating programme with her, and have gained a designer tote full of coping skills that go way beyond containing kilogrammes. I feel infinitely lighter. I am doing this for me and, yes, you can do this for you too! And believe me, I’m cynical!”

Diana, Vancouver, Canada

“I don’t obsess about food like I used to. I am thinking differently about food and feeling so much more relaxed around all types of food. It’s wonderful to have pleasure and satisfaction from eating.”

Sarah, Illinois, USA

“I learned a new way of thinking about food. I have learned that food is not the enemy and that it can actually be enjoyed with no guilt.”

Sandy, London, United Kingdom

Certified by The Life Coach School Certified and Trained by The Original Intuitive Eating Pro Professional Member of The Center for Mindful Eating