There is a clear connection between proper nutrition and the health and well-being of employees. Mindful eating is a transformative practice that brings awareness to how and what you eat. Performing mindful eating is a skill that requires focus and the ability to be in the present moment. It is the process of walking through a series of steps and questions while eating that allows you to focus on all your senses and become mindfully aware of the details of your food. It can be conducted during any snack or meal throughout the day and is an easy way to practice mindfulness.
Our Senior Director of Culinary Development, Chef Margaret, and her team have a passion for wellness and the impact culinary choices have on life inside and outside the workplace. Chef Margaret led two inspirational mindful eating events that brought clients and guests on an incredible food journey. Read below to learn more about mindful eating and the transformative effects it can have on your life.
Q: Could you describe the mindful eating events that you and your team created?
These events focused on taking away moments of quick mindless eating and really focusing on all the aspects of the food before, during, and after your meal. Our Aramark and LifeWorks team partnered closely with the client’s wellness team to create an experience that engages connection between people and food. We led both clients and guests through The Raisin Experience, an exercise that consisted of eating a raisin while being walked through a series of prompts and questions. A raisin is a very small food that is typically eaten quickly without much thought. This exercise allowed the participants to slow down in the present moment and savor the experience of eating this raisin. The prompts and questions allow the guests an opportunity to analyze the textures, shape, smell, and bright intense flavors of the raisin. The results were incredible, and the guests were blown away with many hoping to repeat this experience.
Our second mindful eating event with PB&J had just as much success. It is the perfect macro-balanced snack and great fuel for the mind and body. This exercise helped the participants to take a moment to pause during such a hectic time of year.
Q: How can mindful eating be used inside and outside the workplace?
Mindful eating is a great way to practice wellness and recenter yourself during the day both inside and outside the workplace. Make a goal to mindfully eat a work lunch or a quick snack every week. When trying to practice mindful eating, look at your food and notice the textures, the colors, the shape, and the smell. After a few minutes, pop the snack into your mouth and let it sit, focusing on what it feels like. Finally, take a bite and notice the flavor of your food build in your mouth. Taking this time to notice all the aspects of your meal slows down the eating process and allows you to experience the moment.
Realistically, it is not practical to use mindful eating every time you eat. However, if you can make the choice to enjoy even just one mindful meal a week it can make a huge difference in your mental and physical wellness. This choice allows you to experience life in the present moment, rather than letting your busy mind worry and take over the day.
Q: Why is mindful eating important? How does it affect wellness and what type of benefits does it provide?
Mindful eating is a unique exercise that can be conducted during any meal or snack. It is a great way to recenter yourself and an opportunity to reset and recharge. While under a time constraint during work hours, it is often difficult to pay attention to our meal consumption. However, it is incredibly important to treat food as what it is: fuel for our body and mind.
Your meal breaks have a large impact on your mental state. The amount and quality of food you eat affects how you feel, which changes your productivity levels, attitude, and focus during the workday. Unhealthy eating will make you sluggish, setting an unproductive tone for the day and preventing mental stimulation. Mindful eating helps prevent portion distortion, allowing you to enjoy your food and determine the portion size that will positively impact your fuel levels.
Q: What drew you to conduct these exercises?
My team and I are always working to generate creative experiences that are unique and impactful. We want to create new ways to reach guests and start conversations connecting wellness and food. These exercises created a meaningful experience for guests that they can apply in their everyday life. With the events occurring right around the New Year, it was the perfect time to inspire new resolutions and eating habits.
Chef Margaret is driven and passionate. She provides nutrition help and advice that has a meaningful impact, and her work influences good practices and wellness for all those around her.
