Written by: Caitlin Alfonso, LMSW
Fall is a time of year when signature flavors and aromas, such as pumpkin, apple, caramel, maple, walnut, pecan, nutmeg, and cinnamon, are woven into the air. Just recently, I stopped in a local bakery and I saw this maple cheesecake. I love maple and cheesecake. I knew that this was not going to be a sweet treat I could resist! As I checked out, the girl asked if I had tried it before. I told her hadn’t and she lit up, “You are going to love it! At first, you will really taste the maple, but if you let it sit for a second, it melts away into that classic cheesecake taste.” She laughed and then followed up with, “I know it sounds so weird, but trust me, the flavors are really layered.”
Curious, I went home and immediately took a bite, and just like the girl promised, my taste buds were captivated. The maple was initially sweet and rich, but if you paid attention, the flavor subtly gave way to the classic taste of cheesecake. However, this shift didn’t overpower the palette; instead, it mingled with the sweetness of the maple, creating the perfect blended flavor. This slice of cheesecake was undeniably delicious. I didn’t rush the experience; instead, with every bite, I tuned into the flavor and texture of each spoonful. By doing so, I enjoyed the treat more and I was even more aware of my body and sensed when I was full, leaving me with half a cheesecake slice for later.
This experience is an example of mindful eating. Just like other mindfulness activities, mindful eating allows us to be present with our senses and be in the moment. Not only can it enhance the awareness of the food itself, but it can bring more awareness to our bodies, including noticing when we are full sooner, so as not to overeat. Start with these three simple questions:
What does it smell like? Perhaps it smells sweet and decadent, or spicy and herbal.
What does it feel like? Is it warm to the touch? Is it soft, like the inside of a pie, or chewy like a caramel apple?
What does it taste like? What flavors layer onto your tongue at the first bite? Do they change or shift into new flavors as the ingredients come alive and reveal themselves to you?
As we go into a season that is often marked by rich flavors that connect us to memories and traditions of this time of year, pause and take a moment to savor the experience bite by bite.