Is Eating Slowly Actually Good For You?

Eating slowly
Photo by Pablo Merchán Montes on Unsplash

At one point or another in your life, you’ve probably had somebody tell you that you should eat your food slowly. They usually claim that this is better for your health. But is this true? Can the speed at which you eat actually affect your health? After all, it’s the same food either way.

What Studies Show

Well, there are actually studies that confirm that eating slowly can help you lose weight. Not everybody actually needs to lose weight to be healthier, but for the nearly two billion adults around the world who are categorized as overweight, this can make a positive difference. Some possible reasons why this is the case are that eating slowly is thought to improve digestion, help you feel full faster, and help you make more considered, smarter choices about your food.

Another Angle

Another point to consider that you may not think of is that eating slowly can help you avoid choking and heartburn. While that’s not something most people worry about regularly, it certainly is something most of us would like to avoid.

And finally, eating slowly can help you enjoy your food more. Being mindful of the flavors and aromas of your food can significantly improve the eating experience, even helping you to avoid overeating.