The Buyt Desk
Eating in a hurry has become a new normal in the time of multitasking. Catching up with your favourite series on Netflix while eating food, constantly checking social media accounts for new feeds, answering calls are a few activities that have become quite normal for us when we sit at the table for lunch. Eating food in a quiet place with a relaxed mind has become a kind of luxury that only a few could enjoy.
If you are this kind of eater then beware you are inviting a lot of health issues. Researches have revealed that the habit of not eating with a relaxed mind takes a toll on health, and it might contribute to obesity or being overweight.
Eating In Hurry Could Impact Your Health
Our body has many receptors placed at different positions for damage control. It also has receptors present at various points in our body to control eating. When we eat or drink, the activity activates receptors present in our stomach. This receptor sends a message to the brain when your stomach has enough food. After that, the food gets in the intestine, then the receptors present there again send a message of fullness to the brain. After this, the brain instructs the body to stop eating.
The process begins from the time you see the food. Though it is gradual, it takes some time to complete. It takes about 20 or more minutes.
When you eat too fast, it confuses the system. The sensory system does not get enough time to complete the process that makes you eat more without realizing that you are overeating.
And if you think eating in a hurry is the only problem, then here is another catch for you. When you eat with distractions, it robs your attention, due to which you do not feel satisfied after completing your meal. It also leads to overeating.
What is Mindful Eating?
It is an act of eating with all consciousness. It means you are paying close attention to what you are eating and how much. It lets you taste, smell, feel the texture of food while you eat, which fulfills your body’s satiety cues giving you the feeling of fullness.
Here are what you can do to enjoy mindful eating
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Eat at a clean and well-arranged place. A cluttered place can not give you the tranquility required to enjoy a meal.
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Place a timer of 20 minutes, and try to finish your meal by that time.
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These 20 minutes you are taking for your health. Turn off your mobile phone and other communication media.
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Turn off any other source of distraction if there is any near your eating area.
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Enjoy every bite of food you are taking with a relaxed mind.
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Chew each mouthful of food 30 times.
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Put your spoon or fork down until you finish the food in your mouth.
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Before heading to the next item on the table, like dessert, ask yourself if you want to have it.
Researchers have found that people who practiced mindful eating for three months lost a decent amount of weight without any workout. It also made them healthier than before.
