Recently I been doing a bit of experimentation. Normally the way I eat can be described as hurried. I don’t inhale my food without tasting it but I most certainly do not sit and savor every morsel. Lately I have been finding myself getting too full even when eating proper portion sizes. Since I don’t normally eat until I get that busting feeling anymore it’s super uncomfortable for me to be even slightly full.
I have always poked at my mother for being an excruciatingly slow eater. When I say slow I mean 30 mins to eat something as simple as a sandwich. It’s maddening sometimes but I noticed my my mother almost never clears her plate unless she decided prior to eat a smaller portion.
So for all of last week I practiced the art of eating slow. I wanted to see if it would make a difference in how much food I ate. I also wondered if I would be left feeling more satisfied with my already small portions.
First of all this wasn’t easy. I am a busy mom! We always sit at the table and discuss the days events with our boys. I’m always telling them to slow down while eating so I took some of my own advice. I ask a question, take a bite and chew/savor the food while they gave their answer. I also made sure to take a drink of water after I swallowed each bite of food.
The results of the experiment favored the act of eating slow. When I took my time, chewed my food thoroughly, took a drink of water every bite or two, I ate less. I was amazed. I almost always clear my plate and I was finding myself having to save half my lunch or dinner.
I decided to do a bit of research and found quite a few articles and even some books that support the act of eating slow. I’m not saying that it’s do-able all the time. I mean some times I am in a rush and to sit down and eat for 30 mins in order to recognize when I am full just isn’t realistic. When I do get the chance though and am fully focused. Hopefully with a bit of practice I’ll be able to do it without thinking.
Are you a fast eater or a slow eater? Do you find that the slower you eat the more in tune you are with your body’s feeling of satiety?
That’s been one of my challenges but it’s so much better when I do take my time! Food becomes more of an experience rather than a quick fix.
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I am a fairly slow eater. When I snack I nibble. I think it may help me not overeat at meals but it does nothing for the mindless overeating when I snack to excess.
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