The Reasons Why Eating Slowly Can Help You Lose Weight and How to Stop Eating Fast

There is now mounting evidence that eating slowly can help people lose weight. Many people have suspected for years that gulping down food is bad for us, but now science is providing more reasons why we should take our time eating. Lots of us have developed the habit of eating on the go so it may take a bit of effort to retrain ourselves to eat more slowly.

The Reasons Why Eating Slowly can help you Lose Weight

Research is now indicating that eating slowly gives the body more time to produce hormones which are needed to tell the mind to turn off the feelings of hunger; these hormones are produced in the gut. Other research by the American Dietetic Association has found that those who eat fast tend to eat up to 10% more calories. The bottom line seems to be that the more slowly you eat the less food will be needed to make you feel full.

How to Stop Eating Fast

The habit of eating fast can be hard to break; one reason for this is that many of us stuff our faces without even paying the process much attention. We tend to eat and do other things at the same time. TV dinners or business lunches can mean we barely pay any attention to what is going into our mouths. In order for people to be able to stop eating fast the first thing needed is for them to be aware that they are eating. Here are some tips to make this possible;

- Don't allow any distractions when eating; turn off the television and don't eat at the computer. If you want to stop eating fast you need to give eating your full attention.

- Chew your food until it is fully broken down. This will not only slow you down but chewed food is also easier for the body to manage.

- Allow yourself plenty of time to eat leisurely. Eating under a time restriction is the wrong approach when attempting to eat slowly.

- Practice being mindful of every bite you eat. Savor every taste and enjoy the sensation of foot on your palate. It is only when people really concentrate their food that they realize that they never really knew what it tasted like previously.

- Don't expect you habits to change overnight. It will likely take a lot of effort before you eventually begin to automatically eat slowly.

Obesity is a huge problem in western countries and a growing problem elsewhere in the world. Learning to eat more slowly may be a great way to combat obesity; as well as all the negative consequences that come with this.

Sources
New York Times Article