I think there is a push and pull. If you have no goals because you have killed all desire, how is that different from depression? I dabble in reading literature about healthy aging, and wow some of the happiest people ever are elderly people who have goals. Like big ones-learning a new language at 80 or 90 yo, or taking up swimming or dance or something. There are folks who are never happy because they're never satisfied and pursue various goals without ever reflecting on them. I do wonder whether seeking mindful reflection and gratitude periodically is a counter to pursuit of goals for goals' sake, and helps defuse that never-ending dissatisfaction.
The meal example is a great one. Actually stopping, momentarily, while you're eating that yummy thing to reflect on what a perfect moment it is, creates the memory of having a great meal. Yes, it's fleeting, but acknowledging that moment and remembering it helps to make it more meaningful than the enjoyment would otherwise be. In contrast, hedonic adaption is when you go from noticing how great that meal really is to expecting every meal to be that great, and then being constantly disappointed when it's not. Or not even disappointed, but just oblivious. Obliviousness may be the real crux of hedonic adaptation, and purposefully putting yourself in situations where you can't help but notice afterward how great "normal" is counters that deeply.