A major problem in our society today is that we often rush through life and don’t think about anything… and when we get the chance to eat, it’s really no different.
Many of us gobble down our food when we eat because we feel that we don’t have time to do so. You know what I say to these people? Make time! And then you know what I say to them? Make some more time! Here are some benefits to slowing down the rate at which you eat:
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1. Lose Weight
Many studies indicate that by simply eating slower you will be more likely to consume fewer calories, which has a positive effect if you are trying to lose weight. In fact, eating slower can be enough to lose up to 20 pounds of fat per year without changing anything else to your lifestyle.
The reason this works to lose weight is because it takes about 15 minutes until our stomach sends a message to our brain telling us we’re full. So if you eat fast, you might eat past that point and not even realize it. But if we eat slowly, we’ll have enough time to realize that we’re full and we can stop.
I still recommend that you eat healthier foods if you want to lose weight, but this can also be an effective method to help you do so. If you’re trying to gain muscle, this can also improve nutrient absorption to help your muscles get the protein they need as well.
2. Enjoy Your Food
It’s going to be difficult to enjoy your food if you’re eating too fast. I would even go as far to say that it’s fine to eat some sinful foods as long as you are not eating them too fast. Think about it: you want to eat foods that taste good (chocolate cake, fried foods, pizza, etc.) and enjoy them, but if you’re eating too fast then how can you enjoy them?
If you eat them slowly, you can actually enjoy the food that you are eating and it will take less of them to make you satisfied (remember point 1). That seems like a win-win situation to me. You should always aim to make the food you eat a pleasure, not something you chow down in 2.5 seconds because you’re “in a rush”.
3. Better Digestion
By eating slower you’ll chew your food better, which will improve your body’s ability to digest the food you’re eating. What many people do not know is that digestion actually starts in your mouth, so by chewing your food the less work your stomach will have to do. This can help prevent many gastrointestinal problems.
4. Less Stress
Eating slowly and meditating on the food you’re putting in your mouth can be great for your mental health. By focusing on the food you’re eating, you won’t be so focused on the things around you or what you need to do after you get done eating.
I’m a strong believer that this type of mindlessness can decrease your stress levels and improve your happiness. You should give it a try.
5. Rebel Against Fast Food And Fast Life
Our hectic and out of control lifestyle can often times lead us to eating our food too quickly. This type of lifestyle is dehumanizing us and making us unhealthy, stressed, and not happy. We rush through the day and don’t even take the time to look at the world around us. That’s not something to be proud of. Let’s change that around.
I realize that you’re probably not completely willing to change your lifestyle around, but at least promise me this: When you sit down for a meal, take a deep breath, enjoy the activity and take a look at the beautiful world around you. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
