Tricks and tips to eat slowly for better digestion
August 16, 2023
Eating too quickly can cause you to feel nausea, vomit, or discomfort. However, learning how to eat slowly is hard! Try some of the following tips to help train your brain to eat slowly.
SIT DOWN for all meals and snacks
Keep serving bowls and platters off the kitchen table
USE UTENSILS (don’t choose foods that you can easily eat with your fingers)
Put utensils (fork/spoon) down between bites
Use small plates (<10 inches in diameter) and small baby utensils or cocktail forks to keep you taking small bites
Cut dense foods into small pieces – fingernail or dime-sized
Count your chews per bite – aim for 25 chews per bite of dense food items
Try the ‘half-plate strategy’ – divide the food on your plate into two halves.Eat the first half then think about if you are satisfied before finishing the other half
Use your non-dominant hand to eat (if you are right handed, use your left hand!)
Try using chopsticks to eat (clumsy/awkward eating slows you down)
Strive to be the last one at the table to finish eating
Avoid eating while driving
Control your eating environment by removing distractions like the TV and computer
Set the mood by playing mellow music, create a dinnertime playlist (make your meal last 3 songs), dimming the lights, & lighting candles
Remember to focus on enjoying the taste and flavor of the food
