The Art of Mindful Eating (For You and Your Kiddos)
Mindful eating is the practice of cultivating awareness around food and your relationship with food. It teaches how to be present during meals and how to play close attention to how foods affect us not only physically, but mentally and emotionally, as well. On another (and perhaps evermore important) level, mindful eating teaches us how to reconnect with the pure joy of eating and allow this to influence a healthy relationship and gratitude for food. By nature, children are curious and joyful when it comes to food, especially when they are little and being introduced to new foods, every day. Sadly, studies have shown that a shockingly high percentage of kids in grades 3-6 are unhappy with and wanting to change their bodies (especially girls) ( 1 ). Factors outside of the home such as the media play a big role, but attitudes towards food learned at home are critical in fostering a healthy relationship to food (and self esteem) in your children. Really, similar rules apply to y