dancingdakini:

There are three ways Buddhists can transform the ordinary action of eating into the spiritual path.  These three ways of practice are referred to as the yoga of eating.

1) We can regard our food and drink as medicine that cures the sickness of hunger and thirst.  If we view our food as medicine that is healing and nurturing the body and mind, and not as an inherent source of pleasure, this helps us to abandon attachment to food and drink.

2) We can consume our food and drink with bodhichitta motivation, so that every action of eating and drinking is done solely for the benefit of others.  Before we eat our meal, we think the following: “To help all living beings, I need to attain enlightenment.  Since my present human body is a perfect basis upon which to attain enlightenment, I must nourish and sustain it.”  This also strengthens our practice of compassion.

3) The third method is a tantric method.  Before eating, request all the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and holy beings to appear in the aspect of our own personal Deity (or Buddha Shakyamuni if you don’t have a tantric Deity practice), invite them into your heart to merge inseparably with you, and then offer the Buddha the first bite of the blessed food and drink.