Easy Ways to Eat Slower
By Sara Butler
If you're looking for something small you can do that will have a big impact on your overall health, then you may want to think about how fast you eat your meals. Tapping into your body's cues when it comes to hunger and fullness can change the way you eat and how easy of a time you have reaching and maintaining healthy body weight. Here are a few ways you can put the breaks on your eating speed to help you utilize the natural cues your body is trying to send you to help you get healthier.
Tip No. 1: Be Intentional
You've likely heard the phrase "mindful" attached to a few things since it's become a popular health buzzword, but mindful eating is one you should pay attention to. When you sit down to eat your meal, think about the textures of the food you're eating, the taste, and even where the food was grown. That way you make a connection with what you're eating in a way that forces you to slow down a bit and enjoy it.
Tip No. 2: Take Tiny Breaks
There's no rule of eating that says you have to plow through your meal. Instead of taking bite after bite until your plate is clean, space out the bites of food you take. Perhaps try to take a sip of water between each bite to slow yourself down, which can help you stay hydrated and help you to feel fuller and satisfied at the end of your meal.
Tip No. 3: Eat Whole Foods
Have you ever noticed that it takes a whole lot longer to eat a salad than it does to eat a hamburger? It's better for you too!
The more processed a food, the easier it is to eat fast because it simply doesn't require as much cutting or chewing. If you can shift the foods you eat to include more whole foods such as lean protein, vegetables, fruits, and nuts, then you'll be forced to slow down simply to make sure you chew it all up!
Tip No. 4: Talk It Out
If you're having a meal with other people, then a great way to slow your pace is to have a conversation. This is one more reason to have your meals at the table with your family rather than in front of the television. Simply talking helps you to slow down how fast you eat and it helps you to feel more connected to your loved ones too.
If you can slow down your eating, then you may be surprised how much better you feel and how much less you eat. It's a simple way to help yourself be healthier!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Englewood, Colo.