3 Great Reasons to Slow Down When You Eat

I'm sure many of us have been hungry to the point of inhaling food that was in front of us, barely remembering eating it... let alone the taste.

Here are three great reasons to slow down when we eat:

1.  To taste your food.

When you eat your food slowly, you are able to taste and enjoy it better. There's something to be said about appreciating the flavors, textures, aromas and apperance of your food (and if you're eating as healthfully as possible, the meal should be colorful).

2. To control your appetite.

It takes the brain about 20-30 minutes to start signaling feelings of satiety or fullness. If you've eaten your entire meal in half that time, you're not full until after the fact. Eating more slowly will reduce your appetite, which will help control your portion sizes and your weight!

3. To improve your digestion.

Digestion begins in your mouth while you're chewing. Your saliva contains digestive enzymes which mix with the food and begin to break it down. If you do a good job of chewing the food more completely, your stomach and intestines can better digest the food and absorb the nutrients, respectively.

So the next time your eating, whether it's a meal or a snack, remember to slow down and enjoy!

Take care and God bless,

Dayo N. Lanier, M.D.