Mindful Eating

Abstract

The chapter is an attempt by authors to highlight the scope of mindful eating as an adjunct therapeutic tool. There is a close link between emotional states and eating, specifically intense emotional states and unhealthy eating practices. Mediating factors such as an individual's perception of food-related cues, changes in cognitive control, and eating as an emotional coping strategy influence the relationship between emotion and eating behavior. Mindful eating can be utilized as an adjunct in therapy by helping clients to practice cognitive control and by breaking the cycle of unhealthy coping strategies like emotional eating. Similar to other mindfulness techniques, mindful eating involves paying attention to the food intentionally, in the moment and without judgment. The chapter covers various approaches to mindfulness eating. Authors have compiled guidelines for therapists on how to introduce mindful eating as an adjunct in therapy settings for clients who have unhealthy eating patterns along with anxiety and depressive symptoms as well as for those suffering from eating disorders.