Tips to eat slower

because it’s important

Eating slow is healthy. Fact. That means you should really be chewing each bite 27 times. If you take big bites, hardly chew and eat quickly you might end up feeling bloated and that can cause quite a lot of burping. The slower you eat (the more you consciously enjoy your food) the more satisfied (fuller) you get while making it easier for you body to digest your food. People, this seriously makes you slimmer. It’s also very important you enjoy you food moments so eating off a plate on your lap (I love that sometimes) is really not a good example. Eat at the table, sit up straight and mindfully taste your food, you know that sort of thing. I’ll give you some pointers on how to make a habit out of this. Handy for you and for me as there are some lessons in here for me as well.

• So always eat at the table. No walking around the house, slouching on the sofa or eating in bed (unless it’s breakfast in bed of course). You need to really sit down for your food. Set up an eating space in you house, like at the table.

• Eat ‘mindfully’. Use all your senses when eating: smell first, take a small bite and taste it then look at your food. Giving it more attention automatically slows down the process and provides more satisfaction.

• Add a little atmosphere and make it easy for yourself. Dress up your plate for example, put on some music and clear the table.

• Eat with someone more often. It’s much more fun and it requires being social meaning you’ll slow down when eating.

• Eat with a knife and fork and take small bites. Take a new bite every time you empty your mouth.

•  Here’s a little trick. Eat with your left hand if you’re right-handed (and with your right hand if you’re left-handed). It’s more challenging and will therefore help you to start eating slower.

• Eat sufficiently throughout the day, about every 2 to 3 hours. If you’re hungry you eat faster. This one works a charm for me.

So, mother has spoken. I’m very strict, aren’t I?