Being in a fast-paced world, it can be very tempting to finish up your meals in the blink of an eye. However, it’s something that’s unhealthy as it can lead to a bunch of problems, from indigestion, weight gain and even food poisoning!
So the next time you are at the table, make sure that you take your time. Savor every bite and take pleasure in the fact that you are nourishing your body. Refraining from rushing comes with an assortment of benefits. The following are some of the things you can expect when you eat more slowly:
You Will Get More Essential Nutrients
Did you know that digestion starts in your mouth? Chewing your food starts the breakdown process, and your saliva also begins to digest certain components for easy nutrient absorption. Rushing at the table also means rushing the process of digestion, which leaves most of the nutrients in food locked up. So it’s not enough that you opt for healthy foods — you should also eat at the right pace to ensure that your body will enjoy all the nutrients they pack.
You Will Suffer Less Indigestion
Refrain from blaming spicy or greasy foods for your bouts of indigestion each and every time. Sometimes it’s not what you eat, but how fast you eat them. Naturally, being in a hurry keeps your teeth from doing their share in the digestive process, and that’s breaking down large chunks of food into smaller pieces to make things easier for the stomach. Failure to masticate your food very well can lead to a bad case of indigestion.
You Will Feel Less Stressful
In this day and age, it’s very easy for anyone’s stress levels to go through the roof. Taking a break from all the hustle and bustle can help your mind and body relax, thus keeping you from being fully stressed out even if you’re just halfway through the day. Each mealtime is an opportunity to turn your back on everything and spend some time focusing on the feast before you. Think of eating as a form of meditation — it relaxes you while pleasing your taste buds.
You Will Find It Easier to Lose Weight
Are you aware that it generally takes your brain about 15 minutes to realize that your stomach is already jam-packed with food? This is the reason why eating in a rush all the time can make you gain excess pounds — you end up eating more food than necessary. Overeating is a definite no-no for anyone who wants to lose weight because it causes you to supply your body with more calories than it needs or can burn, which can quickly lead to excess poundage.
You Will Have Lower Diabetes Risk
Speaking of overeating, it’s something that’s not only terrible for your figure but also your pancreas. Eating more food than you need causes the production of more insulin, which is something that can put you at risk of having type 2 diabetes. In fact, a study conducted by Lithuanian experts found out that participants who ate quickly were 2.5 times more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who ate slowly.
You Will Keep Food Poisoning at Bay
Rushing at the table can keep you from noticing all sorts of important details concerning what is served in front of you, like the texture, color, and others. Perceiving that something doesn’t taste or smell right is your body’s way of telling you that it should not be placed in your mouth — or else you are risking your health and even life. When you eat slowly, you become more aware of what you are eating, and stop consuming it right away if something seems wrong.
Sources: dailymail.co.uk
