Wow, if there is one thing I've learned during this last 18 months of working all day every day in my house, it's that I can multi-task very well. Somehow I am able to type and mindlessly eat at the same time. Food appears on my desk without me remembering how it got there!
In all seriousness, mindless eating is just that - mindless. And it is a quick way to add unwanted pounds! According to harvard.edu, 39% of patients gained weight (more than normal allowance of 2.5 pounds) during the pandemic, 10% of whom gained more than 12.5 pounds. Mindless eating results in us consuming foods with no thought about how much we are eating. And if we are in a rush, many times our choice is not the quality of snack we would have mindfully chosen.
What is your 'go to' food? Mine is usually crackers and nut butter. Sounds fine right? And if I pay attention, I'm choosing rice crackers and almond butter. However, when I bring the container of crackers and almond butter to my desk, then dip the crackers into the almond butter container, and this continues while I work....I'm on a bad road (ok, that's not a nice image when I think about it)!
While my choice of snack is a good one, the method in which I'm consuming it leads to an abundance of fat, sodium, and calories. The better way to do this is take 1 minute to put the crackers and almond butter into a dish so that I am in control of the quantity. The same goes for any snack, even those which are not the healthiest choices.
Be mindful of the choice and the quantity. In the end, you'll be satiated, and in control!
In good health,
Jackie