Mastering the art of snacking mindfully. That was the theme of a discussion led by Mondelez Philippines, Inc., during the recently concluded Expo Mom event of Mommy Mundo.
Mindful snacking is simply snacking the right way. As Mondelez Philippines spokesperson and mom of four Anna Sapitan explained, “Snacking mindfully is an approach that encourages you to eat with attention and to be present in the moment. As moms, it’s quite hard to do anything with attention. Mindful snacking tells us it’s actually important to be in the moment, even when we snack.”
With the theme #PassItOnMom, this year’s Expo Mom was an encouragement to continue the tradition of mothers passing on information, values, and traditions to their families and friends. The event intended to create an environment of sharing and support.
“To snack mindfully, first ask yourself, ‘Why am I eating?’ Did you know, people actually snack for different reasons? Our research and experts say there are three snacking needs: Boost, Fuel, and Treat,” explained Sapitan.
She continued, “Boost to jump-start your day. Fuel to provide energy. Or simply just as a Treat for yourself. Mindful snacking can help you understand why you are eating, and based on this, what to eat for a more satisfying snacking experience. Are you looking for something sweet or savory, creamy or crunchy, hot or cold, soft or crispy? By understanding why you are eating, you can better choose the right snack for what you need.”
Sapitan asserted that mindfulness helps individuals shift out of autopilot eating and respond instead of reacting to their hunger. When a person is mindful of their choices, she said, they don’t have to completely cut out the food they love. “Just learn to eat them in a more mindful way.”
To helps moms teach their children to snack mindfully, Sapitan advised to: portion snack and put the rest away; minimize distractions (phone, TV, computer); smell and taste each bite; chew slowly; notice the food’s texture; and finish each bite before taking the next.
“Mindful snacking is a concept that moms can definitely benefit from and we’re happy to have had Mondelez Philippines at Expo Mom to share this concept,” shares Janice Crisostomo Villanueva of Mommy Mundo, the event’s co-founder and organizer.
Mommy Mundo aims to provide Filipino moms and moms-to-be with unique experiences, vital information, and relevant activities that can help enhance their motherhood and parenting experience.
Mondelez Philippines’ purpose is to empower people to snack right. Globally, the company has announced significant progress against its 2020 Impact Goals, including achieving its target of growing portion control snacks to 15 percent of its net revenue—two years ahead of target.
In the Philippines, the company has expanded its well-being offerings with belVita breakfast biscuit. To improve the nutrition profile of its biggest selling brands, the sugar content of Tang powdered beverage, meanwhile, has been reduced by as much as 40 percent since 2008. The company also inspires consumers to snack mindfully, with portion-controlled snacks like the Cadbury Dairy Milk 15g bar.
