Your favorite Clean Eating Coach can sometimes find herself in a clean eating pickle.  Can I make clean eating dishes that are focused on the healthiest foods? You betcha, but that doesn’t mean I always eat slowly and mindfully, taking clean eating to a whole other level.

If you must know, sometimes I eat really fast and eat while I work. Sometimes I only psuedo-taste my food because I’m distracted by the list of things I’ve convinced myself I need to get done immediately.  And sometimes I barely remember the meal. 

Oh my gosh, can you believe I’m telling all my fast eating secrets?  But my point is that even when I know better it doesn’t mean I always heed my own advice.

The good news is that I said sometimes — this is definitely not an everyday experience, and like everything else, my health is all about continuous improvement so I’m working on it.

Truth be told, clean eating has everything to do with the quality of the food we’re eating and how we’re preparing it but it also involves the experiences we create when we’re eating our food.  Are you eating slowly and mindfully or are you rushing through just to get to the next task? Are you distracted by the TV or you creating a quiet space to get more focused on your food and really enjoy it, chewing each bite with reckless abandon?

Here are a few ideas that work for me when it comes to combining clean eating and mindfulness to slow down and be more present:

1. Include high quality, home cooked food. I love eating a meal when I’ve enjoyed the experience of preparing it. I have so much more appreciation for my food when I know I’ve used quality ingredients and had fun doing it.  And even if it doesn’t come out perfectly, the energy I put into it is also the energy I receive back as I eat.

2. Create a relaxing and enticing ambiance. Whether eating alone or with others, food just tastes better and is more enjoyable when I feel good about the space I’m in. Light a candle, put on your favorite music or get out your favorite napkins and tablecloth.  Great atmosphere rocks!

3. Get quiet and listen to your body. When I’m wrapped up in the rapid pace of my day, I can lose sight of eating clean and drinking lots of water, let alone trying to enjoy my food. But even taking 10 minutes to do nothing but eat your meal is a powerful tool to get you focused on your senses and out of your head and thinking mind. Not only will you really taste and enjoy your food, but you’ll also give your brain a break.

4. Chew oh so slowly. I’m talking about at a snail’s pace, tasting every yummy bite.  That alone will help you tune into the flavor and texture that you probably so often miss.

This is just a short list to get you thinking about how you can slow down and tune it while enjoying clean foods.  What will inspire you to be more mindful during meals? How do you keep distractions to a minimum and keep focused on clean foods? What’s one thing you can do differently today? Do tell!

Filed under: Mindful Eating, Slowing Down, clean eating