Wellesley Weston: There are thousands of books out there about weight loss. What is different about Savor?

Dr. Cheung: It can be confusing to know what to eat as there are myriad conflicting scientific—and not so scientific—theories. What is clear from the rising rates of obesity in the United States and around the globe is that these approaches are not working. Something is missing.

In all my years as a nutritionist, I, too, have focused primarily on the scientific basis of what to eat in terms of edible foods and drinks. Thich Nhat Hanh changed that. Unlike in the West, where we view nutriments as something we eat, Buddhist philosophy describes the nutriments necessary for life more broadly. When I grasped this concept, I had an “Aha” moment; I had found the missing link/clue to attaining healthy weight. In Savor, we take a deeper and broader look at weight management. Our perspective is based on nutritional science and ancient wisdom. We talk not only about what to eat, but more importantly, we talk about how to eat and how to look into the driving forces behind our appetite.

WWM: Over a billion people worldwide are overweight. What, in your opinion, is the reason for this obesity epidemic?

Dr. Cheung: On an individual level, being overweight is a function of taking in more calories than one is expending, but that is not the whole story. Our society has become toxic in a way that experts call “obesigenic.” Societal forces that drive us to eat more and move less surround us. And the result is weight gain, obesity, and the health and emotional problems that go along with them. Yes, it is ultimately a personal decision to eat more than one needs and to not exercise enough, but it is nearly impossible to escape the pressures around us that lead to unhealthy behaviors.

When we become more mindful of the way we live and eat, we can end the struggle with weight gain. It is beyond knowing what to eat and what not to eat. When we begin to focus on the things that will keep us in balance, healthy, and connected with our inner selves and our place in the world, change happens.

WWM: What do you mean by mindfulness?

Dr. Cheung: Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in each moment and seeing things as they are, without preconceived notions. Although mindfulness sounds quite mystical and esoteric, people in all walks of life have followed this set of practices on their path to health, well-being, peace, and happiness for over twenty-five hundred years!

To be mindful of something, we need to be fully present—even for an instant. When we walk and our mind is aware of each step that we take, we are practicing mindfulness. When we eat and our mind is aware of each bite, we are practicing mindfulness. In order to do this, we must first stop our wandering mind in order to engage it more fully in where we are and what we are doing. Often, we find our body is present but the mind is someplace else. Mindfulness practice essentially brings the mind and the body together to enjoy and live in the present moment.

WWM: What is the benefit of cultivating this mindfulness?

Dr. Cheung: With mindfulness practice, we gain insight into the roots of our overeating. We begin to become more aware of our motivations and the obstacles that get in our way to being healthy. Why do we eat what we eat? How do we eat, and how do we feel after we eat? What attitudes do we have toward physical activity? What are the barriers—physical, psychological, cultural, and environmental—that prevent us from eating well and staying active? As we become more aware of our bodies and the feelings, thoughts, and realities that prevent us from taking health-enhancing actions, we will realize what we need to do and the support we need to achieve a healthy lifestyle and weight.

This awareness of the present moment also gives us the opportunity and the tools to touch peace and joy, in the midst of our very busy daily lives. Thich Nhat Hanh frequently reminds us that peace and happiness are always in us. We just need to be aware of this and touch them. This peace within ourselves nourishes us in ways that food cannot.