3 Ways to Make Every Meal a Sit-Down Meal

When it comes to mealtimes, do you often find yourself scarfing down food because you know you have to eat rather than savoring every bite?

Too often I find that my clients are eating their meals either in their car or at the kitchen counter rather than at the table.

I’ve had several clients tell me they do not feel worthy of a sit-down meal! They do not think they deserve to enjoy their meal in a pleasant environment, free of distractions.

There are several reasons why they feel this way, and you might find that you identify with some of them.

Let’s look back and figure out where this belief might have originated:

• Is it something you saw mom or grandmother doing?

• Is it something you were led to believe by someone you trusted?

• Were you ever told that you “shouldn’t” be eating because you are “fat”?

While it’s important to understand the origin of this belief, please know this…

You deserve to eat, every meal of the day, every day. And you deserve to sit down and enjoy your meal and savor each bite.

You may say that you have no time to plate your meals, that you are busy, constantly on the go and it’s just easier to grab when you can, or just graze throughout the day.

I understand being busy, but it’s all about priorities.

You CAN restructure your day to include mealtime. This means you sit at the table with a plate of food and enjoy it in good company.

3 Ways to Make Every Meal a Sit-down One

1. Breakfast

Instead of eating breakfast in the car, wake up a few minutes earlier and plan to sit at the kitchen table to enjoy your breakfast. To make this even easier, prepare what you can the night before, so you have fewer steps to do in the morning.

2. Lunch

Instead of eating lunch at your desk, schedule 30 minutes into your schedule to leave your office to eat lunch. Maybe there’s a break room at work, a local park with picnic tables, or on occasion, a nearby restaurant you can eat at. Your mealtimes can be a good time to reflect and really tune into what your body is telling you.

3. Dinner

Believe that you are worthy of eating a well-balanced dinner, sitting at your table. Make it a point to finish cooking, plate your food and sit down. Put a nice tablecloth on your dining table and use a nice plate instead of a disposable plate.

Savor every bite. Really tune into the taste, texture, and flavor of the food you are eating.

Be fully present.

By actively savoring each bite, you will find yourself more satisfied with your meal rather than when you pick at food mindlessly.

Plating and sitting down to your meals throughout the day will help you feel more satisfied, and you won’t find yourself searching for food during the day and night.