Rationale of the Week | Who Benefits Most from Mindful Eating as a Primary Strategy?
For last week’s practice question, we quizzed participants on Who Benefits Most from Mindful Eating as a Primary Strategy? 67% of respondents chose the best answer. We want to clarify and share this important information, so you can pass it on to people living with diabetes and your colleagues, plus prepare for exam success!
Before we start though, if you don’t want any spoilers and haven’t tried the question yet, you can answer it below: Answer Question
Question: Mindful eating can support diabetes management in various ways.
For which of the following individuals would mindful eating be most effective as a primary strategy rather than a complementary approach?
Answer Choices:
- A 46-year-old male with type 1 diabetes on a fixed carbohydrate meal plan.
- A 30-year-old pregnant female recently diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
- A clinically underweight 77-year-old female with prediabetes and osteoporosis on a high-protein, high-calcium diet.
- A 28-year-old female with type 2 diabetes, a BMI of 35, and a history of disordered eating
Getting to the Best Answer
If you are thinking about taking the certification exam, this practice test question will set you up for success. Test writers anticipate possible answers based on the details in the question. They will wave those “juicy answers” right under your nose. Your job is to weed through the particulars, pluck out the most important elements and choose the BEST answer.
Mindful eating is a flexible, non-restrictive approach that promotes awareness, self-regulation, and a healthier relationship with food. While many people with diabetes can benefit from mindful eating, individuals with a history of disordered eating often find it to be the most transformative strategy (Kristeller & Hallett, 1999; Miller et al., 2012; Mercado et al., 2021).
Answer 1 is incorrect. 7% chose this answer, “A 46-year-old male with type 1 diabetes on a fixed carbohydrate meal plan:
- Fixed-carb meal plans are essential for stabilizing blood sugar and matching insulin dosages.
- While mindful eating can support self-awareness and reduce mealtime stress, structured meal timing, and portioning remain the primary strategy.”
Answer 2 is incorrect. 15% of you chose this answer, “30-year-old pregnant female recently diagnosed with gestational diabetes:
- Gestational diabetes requires careful carbohydrate distribution and nutrient timing for optimal maternal and fetal health.
- Mindful eating may help reduce stress and support portion awareness, but medical nutrition therapy (MNT) takes priority for managing blood sugar levels during pregnancy.”
Answer 3 is incorrect. About 9% of respondents chose this, “A clinically underweight 77-year-old female with prediabetes and osteoporosis on a high-protein, high-calcium diet:
- While mindful eating can help this individual enhance food enjoyment and reduce mealtime stress, her primary concern is nutritional adequacy and weight gain.
- A structured, high-protein, high-calcium diet supports bone health, prevents muscle loss, and maintains energy balance.
- Encouraging mindful eating without ensuring sufficient caloric intake may not address the underlying need for increased nutrition.”
Finally, Answer 4 is correct. 67% chose this answer, “A 28-year-old female with type 2 diabetes, BMI 35, and a history of disordered eating:
- Mindful eating is particularly effective as a primary strategy for individuals with a history of emotional eating, binge eating, or restrictive dieting.
- It reduces anxiety around food, promotes a nonjudgmental approach to eating, and fosters long-term self-regulation (Miller et al., 2012; Kristeller et al., 2014).
- Studies show mindful eating lowers binge-eating episodes, improves self-efficacy, and helps individuals develop a positive relationship with food (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 2024; Mercado et al., 2021).”
Why is #4 the correct answer?
Mindful eating is most beneficial as a primary approach for individuals who have struggled with disordered eating patterns. Unlike restrictive diets, it provides a structured yet flexible way to reconnect with hunger cues, reduce emotional eating, and develop sustainable habits.
We hope this week’s rationale clarifies the diverse applications of mindful eating. Thank you for engaging with this question, and we look forward to more learning opportunities together!
We hope you appreciate this week’s rationale! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our Question of the Week and participate in this fun learning activity!
by Evgenia Evans, MS, RDN, CDCES
References
Aikens, J. E. (2012). Prospective associations between emotional distress and poor outcomes in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care, 35(12), 2472–2478. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc12-0181
Forman, E. M., Shaw, J. A., Goldstein, S. P., Butryn, M. L., Martin, L. M., Meiran, N., Crosby, R. D., & Manasse, S. M. (2016). Mindful decision making and inhibitory control training as complementary means to decrease snack consumption. Appetite, 103, 176-183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2016.04.014
Framson, C., Kristal, A. R., Schenk, J. M., Littman, A. J., Zeliadt, S., & Benitez, D. (2009). Development and validation of the Mindful Eating Questionnaire. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 109(8), 1439–1444. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2009.05.006
Fredrickson, B. L. (2004). The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences, 359(1449), 1367–1377. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2004.1512
Garland, E. L., Fredrickson, B. L., Kring, A. M., Johnson, D. P., Meyer, P. S., & Penn, D. L. (2010). Upward spirals of positive emotions counter downward spirals of negativity: Insights from the broaden-and-build theory and affective neuroscience on the treatment of emotion dysfunctions and deficits in psychopathology. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(7), 849–864. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2010.03.002
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (2024, November 7). Mindful Eating. The Nutrition Source. https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/mindful-eating/
Kabat-Zinn, J. (2009). Full catastrophe living: Using the wisdom of your body and mind to face stress, pain, and illness. Random House Publishing Group.
Kristeller, J. L., & Hallett, C. B. (1999). An exploratory study of a meditation-based intervention for binge eating disorder. Journal of Health Psychology, 4(3), 357–363. https://doi.org/10.1177/135910539900400305
Kristeller, J. L., Wolever, R. Q., & Sheets, V. (2014). Mindfulness-based eating awareness training (MB-EAT) for binge eating: A randomized clinical trial. Mindfulness, 5(3), 282–297. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-012-0179-1
Mercado, C., Marasigan, K., Cardona, J., & Ko, E. (2021). Mindfulness-based interventions for emotional eating and binge eating in adults: A meta-analysis. Appetite, 164, 105265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2021.105265
Miller, C. K. (2017). Mindful eating with diabetes. Diabetes Spectrum, 30(2), 89–94. https://doi.org/10.2337/ds16-0040
Miller, C. K., Kristeller, J. L., Headings, A., Nagaraja, H., & Miser, W. F. (2012). Comparative effectiveness of a mindful eating intervention to a diabetes self-management intervention among adults with type 2 diabetes: A pilot study. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 112(11), 1835–1842. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2012.07.036
Miller, C. K., Kristeller, J. L., Headings, A., & Nagaraja, H. (2014). Comparative effectiveness of a mindful eating intervention to a diabetes self-management intervention among adults with type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled trial. Health Education & Behavior, 41(2), 145–154. https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198113493092
Nicolucci, A., Kovacs Burns, K., Holt, R. I. G., Comaschi, M., Hermanns, N., Ishii, H., Kokoszka, A., Pouwer, F., Skovlund, S. E., Stuckey, H., Tarkun, I., Vallis, M., Wens, J., & Peyrot, M. (2013). Diabetes Attitudes, Wishes and Needs second study (DAWN2™): Cross-national benchmarking of diabetes-related psychosocial outcomes for people with diabetes. Diabetic Medicine, 30(7), 767–777. https://doi.org/10.1111/dme.12245
Nelson, J. B. (2017). Mindful eating: The art of presence while you eat. Diabetes Spectrum, 30(3), 171–174. https://doi.org/10.2337/ds17-0015
Want to learn more about this question?
Enroll in our upcoming webinar led by Evgenia Evans, MS, RDN, CDCES
Mindful Eating for Successful Diabetes Management
Join us live on June 11, 2025, at 11:30 am PST
This engaging and practical webinar, developed by Evgenia Evans, MS, RDN, CDCES, a positive psychology practitioner, is tailored explicitly for healthcare professionals including dietitians, diabetes care specialists, and providers.
Using evidence-based strategies, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the benefits of incorporating mindfulness into the eating experience, including enhanced glycemic management, improved emotional well-being, and healthier eating behaviors. The webinar includes an overview of mindfulness and mindful eating strategies, such as engaging all five senses, recognizing hunger cues, addressing cravings, and using practical tools to create supportive eating environments.
Participants will also learn how to adapt these approaches to diverse populations and the unique needs of individuals. Join us to deepen your expertise, participate in insightful discussions, and empower individuals to cultivate sustainable, positive relationships with food while achieving long-term health goals.
Course topics:
- Introduction to the concept and benefits of mindful eating for individuals with diabetes
- Overview of key strategies for mindful eating
- Practical tools for incorporating mindful eating into professional practice (of Diabetes Educators)
- Cultural and individual adaptations of the mindful eating approach
Instructor: Evgenia Evans, MS, RDN, CDCES
Evgeniya Evans, MAPP, RDN, LDN, CDCES, specializes in chronic disease prevention, diabetes management, and women’s health. Her unique approach integrates mindfulness-based nutrition and positive psychology, creating transformative impacts on her patients’ health and well-being.
Evgeniya’s academic journey reflects her dedication to lifelong learning and her holistic understanding of nutrition and health. She began with four years of Sociology studies at Omsk State University in Russia, followed by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Illinois Chicago. She furthered her expertise with a master’s degree in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. This diverse educational foundation allows her to address the socio-psychological factors that influence dietary behaviors and deliver a well-rounded approach to patient care.
At Cook County Health’s Diabetes Clinic within the Endocrinology Department, Evgeniya provides medically tailored nutrition therapy and culturally sensitive counseling. She works with individuals from various socio-economic backgrounds, guiding them through their unique health challenges with compassion and precision. Her dedication to creating personalized, sustainable dietary strategies highlights her commitment to promoting long-term health and vitality for her patients.
In addition to her clinical practice, Evgeniya is a passionate educator. She teaches several classes at her clinic, including Pillars of Diabetes Management with Lifestyle, Nutrition for Health and Vitality, and The Art of Mindful Eating. Her emphasis on education underscores her belief in the transformative power of fostering a healthy, enjoyable lifestyle supported by mindful eating and a positive mindset.
Evgeniya envisions a world where individuals are free from the struggles of dieting and food-related shame. She dreams of a future where no one feels deprecated by their appearance or food choices, and everyone enjoys the vitality and health to pursue their dreams. She is devoted to fostering vibrant, authentic lives where cooking, eating, and sharing meals with loved ones are sources of joy, love, and positive connection.
All hours earned count toward your CDCES Accreditation Information
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