Savor by Thich Nhat Hanh and Lilian Cheung Summary

Savor merges Buddhist mindfulness practices with nutritional science to address overeating and stress. Co-authored by Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh and Harvard nutritionist Dr. Lilian Cheung, it emphasizes mindful eating, exercise, and emotional awareness to combat obesity and promote holistic health without dieting.

This book suits individuals seeking a non-diet approach to health, mindfulness enthusiasts, and those interested in integrating Buddhist principles with modern nutrition. It’s ideal for readers battling stress-related eating or wanting sustainable lifestyle changes.

Key ideas include:

• Mindful eating: Focusing on sensory experiences and portion control.
• Emotional awareness: “Cuddling” fear or anxiety instead of suppressing them.
• Plant-based diets: Prioritizing whole grains and reducing environmental impact.
• Societal roots of obesity: Addressing systemic causes beyond individual habits.

The book pairs Thich Nhat Hanh’s mindfulness teachings (like breath awareness) with Dr. Cheung’s evidence-based nutrition advice, such as the benefits of whole grains. This fusion aims to create lasting health by addressing mental and physical habits.

1. Honor food by avoiding contentious conversations during meals.
2. Engage all senses while eating.
3. Serve modest portions.
4. Chew thoroughly.
5. Eat slowly.
6. Avoid skipping meals.
7. Choose plant-based options for personal and planetary health.

Yes. It advocates for whole grains, plant-based diets, and avoiding processed foods. Practical steps include mindful meal preparation and recognizing hunger cues instead of calorie counting.

Some reviewers note the book lacks depth in transforming emotional relationships with food, calling it more behavioral modification than profound spiritual insight. Critics argue it straddles too broadly between Buddhism, mindfulness, and diet advice.

Unlike fad diet guides, Savor avoids weight-loss metrics, focusing instead on mindfulness as a lifelong practice. It’s often compared to Michael Pollan’s work but adds spiritual depth through Buddhist philosophy.

• “Goals are focused less on a scale number and more on the number of breaths we take.”
• “By living only in the present moment, we dismantle the roots of unhealthy habits.”

These emphasize mindfulness over measurable outcomes.

Yes for those seeking a holistic, non-diet approach to health. While light on transformative emotional insights, it offers practical mindfulness exercises and science-backed nutrition tips, making it a unique blend of spirituality and wellness.

It promotes plant-based diets to reduce environmental strain, citing studies that vegetarianism impacts climate change more than hybrid cars. This aligns mindfulness with ecological responsibility.

Unlike his purely spiritual texts, Savor applies mindfulness explicitly to eating and health, collaborating with a nutritionist to bridge contemplative practices with dietary science.