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Making sitting down to eat a priority for you and your family.
What happened to family dinners where everyone would sit down and enjoy a meal together? It seems with our fast-paced society, people are too busy to sit down anymore, let alone make a home-cooked meal. Does this sound like you and your family? When was the last time you sat down at the table to enjoy a meal? If you can’t remember, this might be the reason you are having a difficult time losing the last bit of weight or lose weight at all.
Eating in front of the TV causes you to eat mindlessly, not paying attention to anything that is going in your mouth, thus leading you to overeat and ultimately gaining weight. By focusing on the TV instead of what you are eating, you tend to shovel the food in without noticing the quantity or enjoying it, let alone listening to your body if it’s full. In addition, dining in front of the TV can also help you form a bad habit of always having to eat something, whether a snack or dessert, while you are watching your favorite shows.
If you are working on weight loss or just maintaining, follow these tips when eating your meals.
1. Plan ahead: If you don’t have the time to prepare a full meal and sit down to eat it, because you get home too late and are always exhausted, plan ahead. On Sunday, plan your dinners for the week and go to the grocery store to get all of the ingredients, so you don’t have to worry about it. If possible, make some meals ahead of time on Sunday and freeze them, so all of you have to do is pop them in the oven when you get home, make a salad and you are ready to eat. This way, you have the time to sit down to enjoy your nice home cooked meal.
2. Make it a priority: Make sitting down for your meals a priority for you and your family. It’s not only a healthy way to eat, but also a great time for your family to share about their days and spend time together.
3. Turn the TV off: Make sure to turn the TV off, so you aren’t tempted to take your plate and sit on the couch to finish your meal. If you need some noise in the background, turn on the radio, instead.
4. Eat slowly and cherish your bites: Take the time to really enjoy your food, savoring each bite, as you are sitting down to eat it. The slower you eat, the more time your brain and stomach have to register that you are full, so you aren’t tempted to overeat.
For more information on dining at the table and making meals ahead of time, checkout some great recipes and ideas at EatingWell or Cooking Light. Or, if you live in the Sacramento area, checkout the wonderful cooking classes at the Sacramento Natural Foods Coop.
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