In our fast-paced, immediate gratification culture, eating out is a frequent experience for many. Restaurant food is generally served in large portions and typically high in calories and fat, thus contributing to weight gain. A new study suggests that people don’t have to stop eating out when trying to lose weight as long as they employ a mindful approach to eating.
The study, led by Dr. Gayle M. Timmerman of the University of Texas at Austin, involved 35 perimenopausal women between the ages of 40 and 59. This population of women tend to gain weight around the time of menopause, particularly in the abdominal area, which puts them at risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
About half of the women attended a six-week Mindful Restaurant Eating program designed to help them learn to eat out more healthfully by reducing their calorie and fat intake. The other women were in the comparison group and did not receive this training, but their eating was monitored. All of the women participated in a three-day 24-hour recall.
Women who attended the six-week intervention program learned about managing their weight, setting goals, strategies for eating out, and mindful eating meditation. Mindful eating is an approach to eating that involves paying attention to the joy of eating, such as appreciating the sight, smell, and texture of food, and being aware of feelings of hunger and fullness.
