I recently challenged some of my meditation group to eat at least one meal mindfully.
This means taking notice and being aware of what you are eating.
You can start the process from the moment you begin prepping your food or from when it’s placed in front of you.
Noticing any colours… smells… shapes…
Observing how it feels in your hands, or if eating with cutlery – how that feels.
Then as you slowly start to eat, noticing textures in your mouth…
How it feels to eat…
Observing the flavours…
My one rule for mindful eating is no phones, reading material, TV, radio etc.
No distractions.
Just you and your food.
It really does make a difference to your whole eating experience.
I love how food is a universal language.
How it can bring people together.
How we can learn more about different cultures, through food and flavours.
I’m a big fan of Masterchef Australia.
It has to be one of the most multi-cultural programs on our TVs today.
I have learned so much over the years.
As one of this year’s contestants pointed out, back in series one – there was a challenge to finely dice onions.
They’re well beyond that now!
But one thing really irks me.
Salt.
Everything has to be seasoned.
Constantly you see chefs adding a pinch here, a pinch there.
Sometimes it’s more like a handful.
But I really dislike the taste of salt.
I know the argument should be well if it’s well seasoned (as opposed to over seasoned) you shouldn’t taste the salt.
But I do.
I haven’t salted anything for years.
Not while cooking and definitely not after tasting.
I guess chefs would say my food is bland…
But I do use herbs and spices and as so many things contain sodium anyway, there’s bound to be a bit in there.
Without adding salt I taste the ingredients, the true flavour of the food.
To me it doesn’t need enhancing in any way.
So many times when we eat out my first few mouthfuls taste delicious, but then suddenly it hits me…
Salt.
Then that’s all I can taste.
Many years ago we treated ourselves to a meal in a celebrity chef’s restaurant.
The entree was delicious.
But after a few mouthfuls of my main meal, the salt in the sauce became overwhelming.
I just couldn’t eat anymore.
I read somewhere that if you ask for no salt on your food (whether it’s a take-out, cafe or restaurant) it’s usually assumed you are just been awkward to ensure your food is cooked from fresh.
But no, what if you actually don’t like and don’t want salt?
We ordered a side of hot chips one day, and forgot to say ‘no salt please’.
They were so salty that after just a few, it actually left a burning sensation in our mouths.
According to the Heart Foundation most Australians consume nearly double the recommended daily amount of salt.
They acknowledge sodium is essential – helping with nerve signals, muscle movements and fluid balance.
But too much sodium puts extra pressure on your blood vessels, which can increase blood pressure and lead to serious conditions such as heart disease, stroke and kidney problems.
Like me, my husband gave up adding salt to his food many, many years ago.
But thanks to family genetics, he had a heart attack, so now we’re on a vigilant ‘salt watch’.
We’ve always checked packaged food for fat and sugar content, but now it’s sodium as well.
We must look like very boring shoppers, double checking everything!
When Michael was doing his heart rehab we were given this handy, quick guide:
It’s good to be mindful of what you are eating.
So I challenge you to make time over the next few days to eat at least one meal mindfully, without any distractions.
Noticing what it looks like, feels like, smells like…
Then mouthful by mouthful noticing how it tastes.
Detecting any of the basic tastes of sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami.
(But hopefully not too salty!)
I’d love to know how you go…
Ann 🙏