Stop and Chew Your Dinner

I'm definitely guilty of eating way too quickly. I've started to put my fork down and take a small drink of water after each bite. It's new though.. I'm still getting used to not being done in 5 minutes. - 2/7/2013 10:54:11 AM

Considering I have almost choked on food numerous times lately... taking a few extra seconds to chew a few more times is really a matter of life and death!!! - 8/20/2012 6:46:44 PM

This is really easier said than done. :s - 8/20/2012 4:12:03 PM

I totally agree with eating slower at meals! I do have a problem at work though. We have only 30 minutes to eat lunch so unless you bring your own lunch that doesn't require microwaving AND you stay in the closest breakroom, you don't have much time to eat. It is rather frustrating! I know my race to finish carries over to dinnertime. Anyone else have the same problem and if so, is there anything you've done to help stop the frustration? - 8/20/2012 12:58:01 PM

Love this article. Chewing is my new goal!!! - 8/20/2012 12:38:01 PM

I would add this tip: Develop the gift of gab :)

I talk a lot, including during meals with friends. I was taught to never talk with my mouth full, so I'll usually take a bite, chew, swallow, then talk for a while, then take another bite, etc. I'm ALWAYS the last one to finish my meal, and usually don't actually finish it, as I realize I'm full about halfway through the meal.

When I was a kid, talking a lot during family meals was a detriment - my family would get up and leave the table after a while, and I usually still had a full plate, to be eaten while sitting by myself. But now, it's an advantage! I savor my meals, and enjoy the whole experience, not just the wolfing down of food...

Now, if only I could convince my husband to put the brakes on while he eats - he consumes meals as though the room is on fire. - 8/20/2012 11:33:24 AM

I'm already the last to finish eating, and it hasn't kept me from gaining weight... but maybe I'd be even heavier if I was a food-guzzler. - 8/20/2012 10:45:50 AM

I'm a shoveler too, bad habits are hard to break. Light bulb moment over lunch with friends the other day, half way through found myself full - think about it, when out chatting etc do you fill up quicker? I do. So guess this week, slow down take time to enjoy I will TRY! - 8/20/2012 9:58:01 AM

I found the suggestion to "notice the smell, temperature, texture, color, and subtle flavor differences of each food you consume" very important to go through as time filler when I put my fork down.

I tend to still shovel my food sometimes and when I have some mental work to do, I don't feel as awkward putting my fork down. - 6/6/2012 3:54:41 PM

When I was growing up my Grandpa always said he chewed ever bite 100 times. A bit much perhaps but looks like he had the right idea!!! - 2/2/2012 5:39:16 PM

thanks for all the info in this article. A lot of what was said applies to me and I am trying to slow down and enjoy my food. I read this quote somewhere else regarding this same issue of not chewing your food enough - "your stomach doesn't have teeth". How true! - 1/6/2012 6:41:27 PM

Really good article and a good reminder. I'm somewhat of a slow eater, and this reminds me its ok to eat slower and enjoy my food. - 9/25/2011 4:51:53 PM

Very helpful article. A great reminder of why I was much skinnier when I was younger and was always the last one at the table to finish my meal. - 8/24/2011 5:14:15 AM

Nice article. - 8/23/2011 11:55:24 AM

thanx for the reminder. a while back when I would eat rice I thought I was getting allergic to rice because i would get pains in my throat and it would hurt until I drank some water and the rice would go down my throat. I thought it was just messed up indigestion for some reason. I was so SURE i was chewing it. yeah . . . .I wasn't. another good reason to slow down and eat your food. - 8/22/2011 1:21:13 PM