It is not just what you eat but also how you eat.

Our ancient system of medicine ‘Ayurveda’ lays much emphasis on proper chewing of the food for better digestion. It becomes easier to separate the required nutrients from the food.

“Slow and steady wins the race” can be aptly applied to the human digestive system. Slow eating and proper chewing, gives enough time for the enzymes to digest foods and this results in overall health of a person. Thus, a person who eats slowly is closer to better health. Going slow supports smooth working of digestive juices and this keeps the digestive system at peace and promotes metabolism.

Enough we have heard about what to eat, what to avoid, how much calories to be consumed, what should be the portion of meal and the list goes on. Take a step back and see the picture of yourself how you eat. What was your finding? Eating while standing or while watching television, taking a bite while hurrying for work, eating while driving and many other things that saves your few minutes of time that can hugely affect your health.

Why to eat fast and invite health issues when you can go slow and keep yourself fit and healthy. The following article explores the various benefits of eating slowly.

When you feed yourself without hurry and give yourself enough time to chew the food it results in –

Most of us are always in a rush and happen to eat our meals in a hurry. The daily routine of such practice involuntarily makes us eat the same way even when we have enough time. Seems like people are eating just to fill the stomach no matter what and how they eat. Does it not sound like you are treating your stomach a garbage bag?

All the energy and strength you need to work physically and mentally comes from food. The overall health of your body depends upon how you eat. How can a body and brain function if not supplied with nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Eating food in a gulp or in no time makes it tough for digestion.

Let us understand what happens when we go slow with eating foods –

Feel the food when you eat

While eating, make the process go slow. Give your body some time to know when you need to eat more and when to stop. Or else one keeps on adding extra calories that shows its effect on the weighing scale.

Eating slowly will make you feel satisfied and full. It gives your mind a time to feel the taste and texture of each bite you take. The food not only satisfies your stomach but also the soul, only when you have time for the food you are consuming.

Enhances digestion

Digestion starts from the mouth. We all know what a smell of a food or look of a food can do to our saliva. When the food is in mouth the enzymes in the saliva starts the digestion process and makes it moist for easy swallowing.

On reaching the stomach the digestive juice works on food and the food bolus is further pushed towards the small intestine and further. Each and every step in the procedure needs time for better digestion.

If the process is hurried there will not be sufficient acid for food breakdown and this will affect the metabolism and hence will impact your weight loss journey. With improper breakdown of food occurs indigestion and rise of various gastrointestinal problems.

Makes the portion small

This will be of great help if you are planning to lose weight or maintain an ideal weight. The studies have found that eating slowly makes you eat less and without much effort you are able to maintain a healthy weight. Slow eating will check your portion and will keep you full longer and also limit the calories consumed.

Balances your fluids

A hydrated body balances the electrolyte, provides energy, makes your skin glow and enhances the function of the organs. Slow eating increases water consumption. Drinking water helps you eat less thus beneficial for weight loss. Slow eating along with it makes a perfect route for a weight loss journey.

Increases the hormone responsible for fullness

Eating slowly gives time for your brain to process whereas when you eat quickly the brain has no time to receive the message and thus there is a tendency to eat more. Slow eating results in more secretion of hormones that makes you full and so you eat less and avoid eating more.

How to eat slowly and lose weight

First thing to start with is to take a small amount of food in a small bowl. Slow eating has various health benefits. To make full use of it try following things –

It will take time to develop these habits but once you are habitual to slow eating you will see the changes within.

Demerits of eating fast

Eating fast without chewing the food properly makes your digestive system work harder. Slow eating is definitely a great treat for weight loss as it controls the portion and makes you feel full. People who eat fast are found to gain weight quickly when compared to slow eaters.

We feel we have over eaten a few minutes after the meal. Whereas while eating we do not know when to stop. This happens when we are eating fast and not allowing the brain to receive the signal. Later we feel our stomach is full, because when you start eating, 20 minutes later the brain receives the signal and informs you that you don’t need more food.

So, it is recommended to eat slow as this will give time for your brain to work.

Conclusion

In this fast-paced world, our eating speed is also trying to match the pace. You think it is saving us a few minutes but is making us vulnerable to various health risks. If you want to lose weight then slow down on food. It provides our body various benefits so enjoy each bite and make it count the reading on the weighing scale.