Research shows that mindfulness strategies have positive effects on multiple areas of wellness. Those who practice mindful eating have increased awareness of what they eat and why, have healthier eating habits aligned with MyPlate recommendations, and may see improved diabetes self-management and weight management over time. Implementing mindful eating practices helps individuals remove judgment around eating behaviors and creates a more positive eating experience.

The Powell County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent used the new Mindful Eating Program to encourage mindful eating practices among Bluegrass Area Homemakers. The program focused on identifying mindless and mindful eating behaviors and participants learned seven practical steps to increase mindful eating in their lives. Extension developed this program to teach people how to focus on food with no distractions, creating an eating experience with increased awareness that is judgment- and guilt-free. The goal of this program is to increase knowledge about mindful eating and how to incorporate this practice into daily routines.

The program was delivered across nine counties. Of those surveyed following the program, 100% and 100% indicated they had a better understanding of types of mindless and mindful eating behaviors, respectively, and 100% increased their level of understanding for ways to incorporate mindfulness into their daily lives. Additionally, 95% of participants intend to limit distractions that keep them from eating mindfully and 94 % intend to incorporate one new mindfulness strategy into their daily routine to create a healthier relationship with food.

Some participants noted the most important thing from this program they planned to apply to their life is “slow down and be more aware of hunger cues”, “take more time eating”, “reinforcing good habits after abdominal surgery” and, “having more awareness of when/what/why you are eating”. 

Another participant shared, “mindful eating reaches much further than just thinking about what is on my plate, it’s thinking about HOW it came to my table”.