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TEACHINGS | EASTERN HORIZON 7

same food can have varying effects improving eating habits; it simply from screens, and engaging
on different people. Therefore, it’s creates a time window for food in conversation with others.
essential to pay close attention to consumption. Fasting can be Commensality, or eating together,
how food affects our own bodies. beneficial for individuals with a plays a key role here. Eating
strong attachment to food, but it slowly and having meaningful
Buddhists also observe fasting should be discussed carefully with a conversation allows satiety
from noon to sunrise the nutritionist or doctor to ensure it’s hormones, like GLP-1 and PYY, to
following day when they observe done properly. signal the right time to stop eating,
the Eight Precepts? From a helping us avoid overeating.
nutritionist perspective is this a I believe that monks, due to their
healthy way of living? disciplined routines and meditation Mindful eating is grounded in
practices (many studies show that the principles of mindfulness, a
The type of fasting we recommend compassion meditation can reduce practice originating from Buddhist
in Nutrition Science is similar to inflammation markers like IL-6 traditions, which emphasizes being
the Eight Precepts. Some studies and TNF-α), are able to fast safely fully present in the moment. The
suggest that intermittent fasting without significant risks. Their vows scientific basis for mindful eating
can improve cardiometabolic risks, and daily routines are designed to comes from research in psychology,
such as lowering blood pressure, support their bodies’ well-being. neuroscience, and nutrition, all
reducing LDL cholesterol and of which show how mindfulness
triglyceride levels, improving In our hectic society today, we do can positively influence eating
insulin sensitivity, and lowering everything fast, including going behaviors, improve both physical
glycated hemoglobin. However, for fast food and gulping our and mental health, and lead to
there are also studies that show food quickly. But Buddhists are better food choices.
no benefits. This highlights the taught to be mindful in how we
complexity of human physiology eat. What is the scientific basis to However, caution is needed when
and its individual differences. mindful eating? it comes to the wellness industry.
Practicing mindful eating without
For Brazilian non-Dharma On one hand, we have fast food, understanding its Buddhist roots
practitioners, given the high and on the other, we have the can be misleading. Mindfulness
levels of stress and anxiety, we “slow food” movement. Today, has a specific purpose within the
recommend fasting starting after we also know that people who Buddhadharma, and mindful eating
3 or 5 p.m., and resuming eating prepare their own meals tend to serves a particular function within
the following day around 5 or 6 experience fewer chronic diseases, this framework. The pursuit of
a.m. For those engaging in 12- or such as obesity and cancer. Just as comfort and satisfaction within
16-hour fasts, it’s important to our mind needs balance, so does samsara can become a trap. While
be mindful of what they eat after our food. There is an important it’s essential to care for our bodies
the fast. Consuming heavy meals, interdependence between the in order to live well and practice the
such as meat, or alcohol, can have two. The scientific foundation Path to Full Enlightenment, we must
a negative impact on the digestive for mindful eating is well- not lose sight of our primary goal as
system, leading to gut dysbiosis and established and aligns with the Buddhist practitioners. EH
potentially contributing to future Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian
health problems. Population, an official guide from
the Brazilian Ministry of Health.
We must be cautious because These guidelines emphasize the
fasting doesn’t necessarily mean importance of sitting down to
adopting a healthier lifestyle or eat calmly, without distractions