Mindful Eating and Performance

Mindful eating is a practice that involves paying full attention to the sensory experience of eating, including the taste, texture, and smell of the food, as well as one's own hunger and fullness cues. Practicing mindful eating has been shown to have a positive impact on various aspects of one's life, including performance. When it comes to performance, mindful eating can have a positive impact on both physical and mental performance.

By paying close attention to one's hunger and fullness cues, mindful eating can help individuals maintain a healthy weight, which can improve physical performance. Additionally, by focusing on the sensory experience of eating, individuals may be more likely to choose healthy, nutrient-dense foods that provide the energy and nutrients needed for optimal physical performance. This is related to a similar construct referred to as Intuitive Eating. Intuitive eating was described as having three main components: permitting oneself to eat when hungry, only eating for hunger not emotion, and eating appropriate portions in relation to physical needs and fullness cues. These components have been shown to have positive impacts on athletes in regards to both physical performance and mental wellbeing from the collegiate to Olympic level.

In terms of mental performance, mindful eating can help individuals reduce stress and increase mindfulness, which can improve cognitive function and overall mental well-being. By being fully present and engaged in the act of eating, individuals may also be more likely to experience a sense of satisfaction and enjoyment from their food, which can improve mood and reduce stress.

Males and females utilizing dispositional mindfulness (mindfulness related to an understanding of present circumstances and expectations) have also reported improved self compassion which leads to a lessening of negativity surrounding body image and food choice behaviors. Research shows that dispositional mindfulness when paired with media literacy training leads to improved male and female disposition and performance in schools, sports, relationships, and workplaces.

In conclusion, practicing mindful eating can have a positive impact on both physical and mental performance. By paying attention to hunger and fullness cues and focusing on the sensory experience of eating, individuals can improve their overall health and well-being, which can translate to improved performance in various areas of life.

Arthur-Cameselle, J. (2016). Mindfulness, eating, body, and performance. Mindfulness and Performance, 321-347.

Lavender, J. M., Gratz, K. L., & Anderson, D. A. (2012). Mindfulness, body image, and drive for muscularity in men. Body image, 9(2), 289-292.