How to Eat Intuitively Over Easter
Filed Under: Holiday Eating
5 April 2023 | Written by Xenia Ayiotis
Easter comes with the start of Autumn for us in the southern hemisphere. It’s an opportunity to pause, rest and have a break. When it comes to eating during the holidays, it’s normal to eat more when we are out of our daily routine and of course Easter comes with delicious treats like chocolate Easter eggs and hot cross buns. In the Greek tradition we have a delicious brioche type cake.
Holiday eating can be stressful for people because we are out of our routine and so many activities revolve around food. There are ways to take the stress out of holiday eating and one of the best ways is to let go of restrictions, perfection and the desire for weight loss which really is at the base of most dysfunctional eating.
Here are a few tips to guide you and a mindful eating practice.
Allow yourself to eat what you want
The moment we say we can’t have something, we want it even more! Saying no to your favourite treats leads to feeling of deprivation and restriction and that often leads to overeating. So give yourself permission to have what you want and enjoy the special treats. Restriction doesn’t work.
Let go of guilt and judgement around food
Judgement and guilt make us feel bad and shameful and there is nothing shameful about eating chocolate for goodness sake! It’s one of life’s pleasures!
When eating, just eat (see practice below). Eat with your full awareness and attention. If you are eating chocolate easter eggs on the go there is no end to how many you could eat. Remove distractions and eat with all your senses.
Enjoy the break
It’s not about the food but it’s also not not about the food. Use the long weekend to rest and relax, connect with family and friends, and have fun! Enjoy the food and enjoy the company – don’t make it only about the food.
Eating a chocolate Easter egg mindfully:
- Get ready to eat your Easter egg. Find a comfortable place to sit.
- Take a few breaths become aware of how your body feels, your thoughts and your feelings. Are you feeling excited or anticipation to eat the chocolate. Notice the desire for the chocolate.
- Break a piece of the chocolate – noticing the sound, the feel of the smooth chocolate in your hand, the crinkle of the foil.
- Lift the chocolate to your nose and smell it. Notice the sweet, chocolaty aroma – do you find it pleasant – too sweet perhaps? Simply notice with curiosity.
- Put a piece of chocolate in your mouth. Become aware of the texture and the taste. Notice how it melts. If your mind wanders to the next bite, gently bring it back to the bite in your mouth.
- Notice the changes in the textures and tastes as the chocolate melts. Notice the lingering tastes in your mouth. How is the experience?
- Take another bite and repeat until you have had enough.
- Remember there will be plenty more opportunities to eat chocolate.
This Easter…..
May you be blessed
May you be safe
May you be happy
May you be peaceful
Love
Xen
Hello, I'm Xen. Welcome!
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