AYURVEDA PERSPECTIVE ON EATING WITHOUT REALIZING IT

Two elements, when combined, lead to the perfect storm of unconscious eating. One, food must be within reach or easy to get. Two, you must be distracted, pre-occupied, or half-awake. Watching TV, your hand invisibly dips into the popcorn bowl. The sandwich you don't remember eating at the stoplight on the way to a meeting: what did it taste like? The piece of cake you ate, semi-slumbering, in the middle of night.

Whenever food is within easy reach, as soon as you're distracted or not paying attention, you'll find your hand snatching a few bites. Food is too tempting, especially if it is sweet or delicious. Exhaustion, emotions, eating while half asleep in the middle of the night, and many other factors also lower your resistance to eating, to the point where you eat only semi-conscious of what you are doing.

Yet, eating without realizing it can make you suffer from eating foods you don't really want, or larger portions. Ayurveda suggests that removing distractions and paying full attention while eating is the best weight loss program.

If you struggle with unconscious, mindless eating, keep snack food in hard to get places, such as a place in the cupboard that requires a stool to reach. If you find yourself standing around the kitchen or in front of the fridge, just sitting down somewhere away from food can draw you out of the moment and brings awareness to the unconscious impulse.

Establish eating habits before they get out of control. A good technique might be to make yourself sit down whenever you start to eat something. You might also try taking a few deep breaths, drinking a glass of water, making a cup of tea, going for a walk, or calling a friend. Experiment and find a method of reawakening awareness that works well for you.

It is important to recognize that eating without realizing it is a form of emotional eating , although it may not be immediately apparent. Any maladaptive relationship with food that seems emotionally or unconsciously motivated is worth your attention and exploration. Discovering why you tend to eat without realizing it can lead to profound personal insights and increased self knowledge of your emotions and general well-being.