Slow Down

With busy lives working and taking care of a family it can be difficult to sit down and enjoy a meal.

Not many people have time for a long leisurely lunch and unfortunately, family meals are becoming a rarity. It’s easy to get in the habit of quickly shoveling food down the throat without realising.

Eating slowly and mindfully can actually be beneficial for weight loss. Studies have found that fast eaters can consume more calories than slow eaters. This is due to the hormone that signal fullness and satiation. It takes around 20 minutes for this process to occur, so eating slower gives the body time to recognise these signals.

Eating slower also gives time for savouring food and feelings of satisfaction. Eating slower can also help to feel fuller for longer and improve hunger awareness.

Tips to slow down eating:

·         Chew food properly and eat foods that take longer to chew. This will also help digestion.

·         Take a breath between bites

·         Put utensils down between mouthfuls

·         Avoid distractions such as the TV and phone

·         Use a timer or use an app such as the 20-minute eating-eat slower

Try it and see if it helps 😀