Mindful Eating: Beyond Overeating

If you have ever been on a diet, you have most likely encountered restrictive eating. Restrictive eating has rules which tell us what we can and cannot eat, usually given to us by an expert or a specific dietary regime. These rules can give us a sense of control. But when we’re so caught up in the “rights” and “wrongs” of a diet or restrictive eating pattern, we then focus on food 24/7 - the very thing we are trying to reduce! We begin to look at foods as being either “good” or “bad” and then judge ourselves as “good” or “bad” based on the foods we eat.

Overeating can happen for any number of reasons, but very often occurs when coming off a restrictive eating pattern. For example, you tell yourself “I am going to stop eating cookies for 2 months”. When you finally allow yourself to have a cookie, you may find yourself eating the entire package. Then guilt and shame sets in and you feel “out of control”.

Instinctive eating, on the other hand, is a middle ground between a restrictive diet and a no-rules-anything-goes mentality. This is the place you want to be with your eating. You are in tune with your body and recognize your hunger and fullness cues. You eat to nourish your body but allow yourself to enjoy a treat when you really want it. Food is no longer “good” or “bad” and you are no longer placing moral judgment on yourself for what you choose to eat. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being in charge of your choices! When you are in charge you are listening to your body’s own innate wisdom and you make choices based on your needs-not by someone else’s “rules” . This is the difference between being “controlling” and being “in charge”!