Eat More Slowly to Lose Weight

Hunger happens in your brain, not your stomach. When it is full, your stomach sends a signal to your brain to stop eating. However, it takes time for that signal to get to your brain. Meanwhile, you are continuing to plow food into your body, before that signal reaches your brain.

The Chinese have a saying “eat until you are two thirds full.” This is good advice because even after you stop eating, you will continue to feel fuller as the brain processes the food you have eaten. In fact, studies have shown that people routinely eat 100 to 200 more calories than they need each sitting just because they don’t stop when they ought to. So, slowing down your food consumption will actually allow your brain to process the signals that you are getting full.

In addition to losing weight, when you eat food slowly, you will enjoy it more. You can eat a small amount of an indulgent food rather than a big hunk of cake. But, you will experience a higher level of satisfaction with the smaller amount.

You will also be better able to digest your food. Digestion starts in the mouth. The more work you do there, the less work you will have to do in the stomach. Paying attention to your eating can also reduce the amount of stress in your life. Meal time will become a time of relaxation and rejuvenation rather than one more harried activity in the day.