Mindfulness has proven to be very effective in assisting people to eat in a more naturally healthy way. Healthy, in this case, meaning a way that is right for your lifestyle and your body.
Research trials on Mindful Eating have been on going in the USA for many years. One effective form of Mindful Eating treatment is called “Mindfulness Based Eating Awareness Training” or MB-EAT. This program was created by Dr. Jean Kristeller and colleagues in the USA. Heidi is one of the only psychologists in New Zealand who has completed the 5 day professional training with Dr. Kristeller on MB-EAT. Since 1999, studies have found that this group based, talk therapy, which uses mindfulness meditation is effective in helping people stop binge eating, emotional eating and mindless eating. It has also helped some people to lose weight.
Mindful eating involves use of meditation and mindfulness practices to build our capacity to be aware and to direct our attention to the present moment. With mindful eating, we can better observe our triggers to overeating and eating when we are not hungry. With mindfulness, we can develop a new, flexible relationship to food and eating. The use of mindful eating techniques can help us, with regular practise, to reconnect with our body’s own systems for hunger and fullness and to start to identify the thoughts, emotions and behaviours that lead us to overeat or eat when not hungry. By listening to what our body needs, we can move toward a more positive relationship with food and with our body.
For information about one on one help with your eating, please see our Coaching page
Through a partnership with a company called Mindfulness Works, Dr Douglass offered an introductory class in Mindful Eating in Hamilton, New Zealand and online, from 2015 - 2022. Dr Heidi is currently offering mindful Eating training online or via telephone to people based in New Zealand.
Mindful Eating Training
If your business, clinic, university or practice would
like to offer a program in Mindful Eating for your clients or customers, Dr. Douglass can design a program to meet your needs.