05:30, 28 January 2026
Words by Cheyanne Bryan, Editorial and Campaign Marketing Executive, London
With the heavily food-focused festive season behind us, it is great to think about just how much food we consume and what also doesn’t get consumed.
To put some things into perspective, Bristol Waste Company has calculated the food waste during Christmas to be equivalent to 2 million turkeys, 5 million Christmas puddings, 74 million mince pies, and £67 million worth of oranges.
For most people, food is always available and often eaten on the go, but unfortunately over-consumption has become easy and unintentional. Mindful eating is not about strict rules or guilt – it’s about paying attention to what, why and how we eat.
By building awareness, we can enjoy food more while consuming less. Here are five food-focused ways to practise mindfulness and reduce over-consumption.
Excess packaging contributes significantly to landfill waste and pollution. Opting for loose produce, bulk items, and products with recyclable or compostable packaging helps reduce unnecessary waste and encourages more responsible food consumption.
Plant-based foods generally require fewer natural resources than animal products. Research shows that plant-based diets can reduce food-related greenhouse gas emissions by up to 73%. Even incorporating a few plant-based meals each week can make a meaningful difference to environmental sustainability.
Refill shops allow you to buy staples like grains, pastas, rice, oils, and cleaning products without single-use packaging. Bringing your own containers reduces plastic waste, supports circular food systems, and encourages buying only what you actually need, helping curb overconsumption. Some major supermarkets are also adopting this method in their operations.
Understanding the effort involved in producing food can change how we consume it. Choosing seasonal produce, cooking meals at home and using leftovers mindfully builds appreciation and reduces excess. Respecting food encourages thoughtful choices rather than impulsive consumption. An easy way to adopt this is to check in with what is being farmed locally.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
FareShare. A leading UK charity working to stop good food going to waste by redistributing surplus food to charities and community groups. FareShare tackles food waste, hunger and over-consumption while promoting a fairer, more sustainable food system. Learn more here.
Feeding America. The largest hunger-relief organisation in the United States, working with food banks to rescue surplus food and provide meals to communities in need. They also work to address the root causes of food waste and promote responsible food use. Discover their work here.
Slow Food International. A global movement active in over 160 countries, promoting good, clean and fair food for all. Slow Food encourages mindful consumption, sustainable agriculture and respect for food cultures, biodiversity and the environment. Find out more here.
