Mama Chick Monday – Slow Down

Hey Chicks!

Sorry I was MIA last week. It was the first day in 2 months that both me and my boyfriend were completely off from work, so we took a little day trip with the girls.

fit chicks on a boat

Enjoying some fun in the sun with the fam

This week I wanted to talk to you about something I am working on – slowing down while eating. I have always vacuumed up my food at lightening speed, so this is challenging for me!

So why eat more slowly?

It can help you lose weight – it takes about 15-20 minutes for your brain to register a full signal. If you eat too fast, you often end up eating more than you need. Slowing down helps you eat less and feel just as satisfied.

It can improve digestion – chewing your food properly is the first step in the digestive process. It’s much easier for your bod to process well chewed food than the big chunks you swallowed.

It reduces stress – sitting down to eat and savour your food allows you time to relax and be present.

You’ll choose better foods – whole, natural foods taste delicious if you eat them slowly. Processed foods, on the other hand, tend to taste gross if you savour them.  Do you really want to let that cheezie slowly turn to mush in your mouth? Processed foods are designed to be eaten quickly and without thought.

6 Tips to Slow Down Your Meals

Eat at the same pace as your children – kids are pretty slow eaters. They take their time and listen to their bodies cues, so follow their lead!

Use small utensils – It’s hard to savour your food if you are eating off of forks that look like spears! I like to use dessert forks for my main meal, and tiny baby spoons for things like yogurt and protein pudding. Or use chopsticks!

Chew 20 times – make it a priority to chew each bite 20 times. You won’t have to do this forever. Just to make you more aware, or if you feel yourself speeding up.

Put the utensils down – if you ever watch people eat, most peeps are chewing one bite while loading their forks up for the next one. You’d think people were starving to death! Take a bite, and put the fork down.

Serve food piping hot – this makes it very hard to shovel it down.

Focus on your food – don’t eat while on the computer, working, on the phone, watching tv or reading. Take the time to focus on your food and enjoying it.

Do you have any tips or tricks to slow down your eating?

 

Have a great week!

Sarah