Bliss through strawberries
Have you noticed how incredibly delicious fruit is in the springtime? After a winter of limited selections, mostly apples and citrus, we suddenly find our favorite berries are back in town!
Sure, you can always find berries in the freezer section of the grocery store, but there’s something extra enjoyable about fresh berries on a warm, spring day.
Berries are more than a sign of the season. They have some real health benefits (full of vitamins, antioxidants, and all kinds of goodies) and have fewer calories than many other sweet treats.
So, if you aren’t usually a berry person, maybe it’s time to show your palate some new tricks.
For one, berries are great for getting your sweet tooth under control (especially after all of those winter holiday treats). While it is okay to indulge a bit every once in a while, it can be tough to get your cravings for sweets under control. One cookie can easily become one dozen cookies. And don’t get me started on ice cream! So good, so dangerous.
Unlike the feeling of real hunger, cravings are often attached to emotions. For many of us (definitely for me), a craving for something sweet may be associated with stress.
What if there was a way to satisfy that sweet tooth and reduce that stress for an overall win-win situation?
The answer: mindful snacking.
Mindfulness involves being aware of your mind, body, and the environment. Being mindful while you eat can enhance your satisfaction and reduce stress so you can keep from overeating.
Here’s how:
- Grab a serving of your favorite fresh fruit. (Hint: Berries. Berries tend to be lower in sugar compared to other fruits and packed with flavor.)
- Find a comfortable, relatively quiet place to snack without distraction. I know it may be hard, but turn down the television, look away from the computer screen, and avoid checking your email for a few minutes.
- Take your time and savor the snack with all of your senses. See the bright, cheerful colors of the fruit. Feel its chill and hear its crunch. Smell its sweetness and taste the burst of flavor.
- Repeat for each bite. Fully appreciate this snack, your body, and the time you took out of your day to take care of yourself.
–By Rachel Stough and the GoWoman Team
