Nourishing Habits in the New Year

As the new year arrives, many compile a list of resolutions they hope to keep. And while taking concrete steps towards bettering oneself is never a bad idea, it can often be easier said than done.

One of the most commonly made New Year’s resolutions is to start eating healthier. People often struggle to keep this resolution as they dive too deep, too fast. But, according to Emily Moscato, Ph.D., assistant professor of food marketing, there might be a better way to go about keeping this promise to yourself — mindful eating.

Mindful eating, Moscato explains, is being in the moment while you eat, taking time to enjoy what is being presented to you, and enjoying the care and preparation that went into the food.

“Food’s primary function is as fuel for our bodies,” says Moscato. “But in reality, it’s so much more meaningful than that. As humans, we’re naturally social creatures. Enjoying food together is a part of our DNA, a part of what makes us human.”

Moscato’s mindful eating approach can be easily formed to all lifestyles. By easing into this lifestyle choice, you set yourself up for better chances of success.

“There are a lot of tips out there, but you should do what works best for you,” Moscato advocates. “Don’t try to starve yourself, or say to yourself that you’ll stay away from that one not-so-healthy food that you love. Instead, take the time to appreciate your favorite food. Try to determine why it’s your favorite.”

Ask yourself, Moscato says, if you love this food because of its flavors, or because of the memories that you associate with it. By determining why you actually like these foods, you can have an almost spiritual connection with it.

One thing to be cognizant of, Moscato warns, is being in situations like parties and other large get-togethers where overindulgence is more prevalent. To counteract this, Moscato recommends eating off of a plate instead of picking from large bowls of food.

“Only eating off of a plate can be helpful to measure the volume of what we're eating, as opposed to grabbing a handful,” explains Moscato. “Also, we tend to eat everything on our plate. So take a smaller plate! Fill that smaller plate up and it still looks like a good quantity, but it is actually a smaller amount.”

And most important, adds Moscato, is to remember to not be too hard on yourself.

“The biggest thing is to not make such strict rules that you feel that you haven't enjoyed yourself,” she says. “Having those really strict and negative rules doesn't help, and can actually be counterproductive.”