Eating quickly can lead to weight gain, because you end up devouring substantially more calories than you would if you ate more slowly. Downing food fast can also cause unfortunate digestive distress. Here are some techniques to slow down your meals and enjoy your food without needing to loosen your belt.
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The body takes about 20 minutes to recognize it's full. This means if you scarf down your lunch or dinner in less than ten minutes, you may not realize that you've actually overeaten, and you're actually full, until it's already down the hatch. I know this is easier said than done, but do yourself a favor by trying to make each meal last at least 20 minutes. You may find that slowing down your eating habits could slow down how many calories you take in at every meal.
I timed myself today at lunch and I finished in seven minutes! I am definitely going to try to slow it down tomorrow. Do you already try and eat slower? Share your tips below.
We know that eating more slowly is one way to ensure that you do not overeat, since it takes about 20 minutes of eating for your body to recognize that it is full. One technique for slowing a meal down is to focus on chewing.
A number of studies show that taking the time to really chew your food has two benefits. The first reason is it promotes the digestion process and helps prevent gas, bloating, and heartburn. When you swallow big chunks of food, it becomes more difficult for your stomach to process. Chewing exposes your food to saliva, which is loaded with digestive enzymes and therefore begins the whole digestive process.
Secondly, eating mindfully also increases your enjoyment of the food’s flavors. When you slow down, you actually taste the flavors, and this makes eating a more satisfying act, which decreases your chances of overeating.
Fit's Tip: It is recommended that you chew your food until it is nearly liquefied. This might take upwards of 25 times, depending on what you’re eating. So take your time and enjoy your food.
