5 tips for embracing moderation

Of course, as I know full well the reality of ’embracing moderation’ is much easier said than done.

SO here are 5 tips to help you embrace the habit of moderation.

1. eat slowly
Eating more slowly also helps your body to let you know that it is full so you can stop accordingly.

Try taking at least 30 minutes to eat lunch and dinner. Either divide your meal into three on your plate and allow 5 minutes between eating each third. Or commit to chewing each mouthful at least 20 times.

2. drink water with meals
This helps slow down the pace of the meal and makes it easier to apply moderation and stop eating when we are full.

3. eat until you are full
After years of always trying to ‘eat less’, it can be scary to make the change to learning to listen to your body and eat until you are full. But take the leap and you’ll be well rewarded.

4. eat mindfully
Set aside time to enjoy your meals, rather than trying to do work, watch TV or read the paper. It’s much easier to embrace moderation when you are focused on eating.

5. apply the 80/20 rule
As Oscar Wilde said, ‘Everything in moderation, including moderation’.

The aim isn’t to be 100% ‘moderate’ at all times. You’ll get the lions share of the benefits by aiming to embrace moderation about 80% of the time. And this more realistic goal will also make you far less likely to get discouraged and give up on moderation all together.

________________
back to: The 5 Habits of Healthy Cooks Overview page.