This One Simple Thing Can Help Control Your Waistline

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How often do you find yourself scarfing down a meal without ever really stopping to think about how the food actually tastes?

Whether it’s a steak dinner at a restaurant with friends, munching a wrap while rushing to a meeting, snacking on nuts between meals, or even eating a sandwich during your lunch hour, many of us don’t take the time to slow down and enjoy our food. And unfortunately, rushing through meals that way means it is unlikely we are giving our brains enough time to register that we’re full — which may lead to overeating and subsequent weight gain.

It also means we’re likely not thoroughly chewing our food. And chewing slowly, deliberately and completely is actually one simple thing that can go a long way towards helping you lose weight or stay slim. That’s according to a new study from researchers at Waseda University, which found that chewing helps with digestion and prevents obesity.

The study found that chewing slowly and thoroughly increased the energy expenditure of food (meaning how well the body absorbs its nutrients), which in turn led to better digestion. The findings align with previous research from other studies revolving around mindful eating practices. Mindful eating means paying full attention to your meals; noticing the taste, texture, smell, and colors of everything on your plate.

Finally, chewing slowly goes hand-in-hand with using portion control (rather than depriving yourself) to control your weight and meet your goals. At Diet-to-Go, we believe that you can still enjoy the foods you love — the key is to manage how much you’re eating. That’s why our No. 1-rated Balance Menu comes with everything from pancakes to chicken to pasta and more. It’s not about taking away what you want, it’s about eating less of it.

So take your time chewing. Actually enjoy your food, and think about it while you're eating. Tune into your physical cues, whether they are signaling that you’re enjoying the food, you dislike something, and most importantly, when you are full and satisfied. Chewing slowly and deliberately streamlines the mindful eating process because it makes it easier to identify those physical cues. And noticing when you’re full is a critical way to avoid overeating and potentially expanding your waistline.

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Author: Caitlin H
Diet-to-Go Community Manager

Caitlin is the Diet-to-Go community manager and an avid runner. She is passionate about engaging with others online and maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle. She believes moderation is key, and people will have the most weight loss success if they engage in common-sense healthy eating and fitness.

 

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