Photo courtesy of choosemyplate.gov.

Mindless eating often leads people into making poor food choices.

However using mindfulness, a form of non-judgemental, moment-by-moment awareness, can help people make healthier food choices, social workers Pauline Cecere, MSW, LCSW, and Nicole Christina, LCSW, said in this Syracuse New Times article.

“Food is not the enemy or your best friend,” said Christina, who is a psychotherapist. “Mindless eating seems to be more the rule than the exception in our fast-paced culture.”

Mindfulness can help people break free of reactive, habitual ways of thinking, feeling and acting. As a result, the practice can help clients focus on making better food choices, Christina and Cecere said.

Social workers help clients lead healthier lifestyles. To learn more visit the National Association of Social Workers’ “Help Starts Here” Healthy and Wellness website.