This post is sponsored by Gerolsteiner. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Please advise with your doctor for any medical or health advice. 

Mindful eating is a topic that has had a lot of buzz the last few years, especially as health and fitness has taken a more holistic or natural approach. Mindful eating (also known as intuitive or intentional eating) has Buddhist roots in which their is a deep connection to food through the enjoyment, sensation and benefits of eating foods. The premise of mindful eating is that there really isn’t a right or wrong way to eat. There are no “bad” foods, but instead a focus of being aware of what we are eating and why (hunger, emotional, nutritional needs). With intentional eating, we are more consciously aware of what we are eating/drinking and fueling our bodies with.

When I first heard the expression, “mindful eating”, I was intrigued. The more and more that I read about it, I realized that it was very similar to how I feel about my relation to food and eating. I’ve always had strong feelings about diets and how I feel that for most people they aren’t something that is going to work long-term and more often than not, tend to backfire once the diet is over with. Think about how many people you know that are constantly on diets and that struggle with their weight the minute they stop. Working on healthy lifestyle changes that can be maintained long-term are so much more beneficial for overall health, happiness and wellness.

Mindful eating is a concept that I love because it focuses on an individuals personal relationship with food and puts a spin on the way that we typical view and enjoy our foods.

4 ways to get started with mindful eating and how to incorporate it into your life:

Learn About Your Food

Educate yourself on what your foods are made of, how their made, where they come from and what nutrients are in them! Linking the foods that you eat to their story (i.e. seed to farm, to farmers market, to you table) and educating yourself on all the great nutrients they have, give you a greater appreciation for your food and allows you to make smarter choices.

One of the areas in which I’ve been educating and focusing on for my personal health, is hydration. Water is a vital nutrient for your body and it is our most important staple food. I often found that I wasn’t drinking enough and was feeling sluggish as a result (especially as I’m very physically active most days).

Recently I’ve been drinking Gerolsteiner Sparkling Mineral Water daily as it has many great health benefits. Gerolsteiner not only refreshes the body, but also supplies it with valuable minerals that are bodies need to function optimally. Check out the great minerals that are in Gerolsteiner Mineral Water:

Calcium: 84 mg calcium per 8 FL OZ, so one liter provides 35% of the recommended daily intake of calcium.*

Magnesium: 26 mg of magnesium per 8 FL OZ, so one liter provides 25% of the recommended daily intake of Magnesium.*

Bicarbonate: A liter of Gerolsteiner contains 1,816 mg.

Learning more about the foods and drinks that you consume can allow you to take your health and nutrition into your own hands to make nutritional choices that are the most beneficial for your body. If you’re looking to help jumpstart your mindful eating, jump below and join me on the Sparkling Detox.

Listen To Your Body (and Fuel It)

It’s important to listen to your body when it comes to mindful eating. Your emotional state, physical health (healthy, sick, menstruating) and activity level can have a large effect on the foods that your body is craving and needing.

If I know that I’m going to have a very intense activity day, I try to choose foods that are higher protein and carbohydrates to fuel my body and make sure that I’m drinking enough water (Gerolsteiner sparkling mineral water is a must on those days to help support healthy energy metabolism & muscle function). If I’m having a more low key day, I stick to lighter meals that provide energy without feeling heavy. If I’m PMS-ing I choose foods that will alleviate symptoms and while on my period, I definitely feel the need for more iron rich foods.

Listen to the cues and desires of your body. They’re usually clues to help you fuel your body with vitamins and nutrients that it needs.

Be An Intentional Shopper

Grocery shopping may not be the most exciting thing, but it’s one of the most important steps in mindful eating as it’s the base of our decision making. Set aside some extra time when you shop to ready labels and really think about the foods you’re purchasing.

Eat Slower & Less Distracted

When eating take your time and nix the distractions. When we are distracted, it’s very easy to miss our bodies cues telling us that we are full and we simply tune out to the process of eating. Put your phones and computers away and turn off your TV. Eat your food slowly, enjoy the sensations (texture, bursts of flavor, smells) and the people that you are sharing your meal with to really gain the most out of your food experience.

Join me in being more intentional and mindful with the foods and drinks that we consume and join the Sparkling Detox Challenge!

The Sparkling Detox Challenge is simple. You simply have to ditch all your usual beverages (sodas, juices, alcohol, coffee, or tea) and commit to only drinking Gerolsteiner Sparkling Mineral Water for five (5) days from Monday, August 27 to Friday, August 31.

Who’s in? Join HERE!

* U.S. Food and Drug Administration Regulations at 21 C.F.R. 101.9 – Reference Daily Intakes and Daily Recommended Values; percentages are based on mineral content per liter.