Improve Your Marriage and Life by Eating Slower
One of the problems in our daily lives is that many of us rush through the day, with no time for anything … and when we have time to get a bite to eat, we gobble it down.
That leads to stressful, unhealthy living.
And with the simple but powerful act of eating slower, we can begin to reverse that lifestyle immediately. How hard is it? You take smaller bites, you chew each bite slower and longer, and you enjoy your meal longer.
It takes a few minutes extra each meal, and yet it can have profound effects.
As we head into the Holiday season, where food is often prevalent, if you slow down when you eat, you could find the Holidays more enjoyable.
You may have already heard of the Slow Food Movement, started in Italy almost two decades ago to counter the fast food movement. Everything that fast food is, Slow Food isn’t.
If you read the Slow Food Manifesto, you’ll see that it’s not just about health — it’s about a lifestyle. And whether you want to adopt that lifestyle or not, there are some reasons you should consider the simple act of eating slower:
- Lose weight. A growing number of studies confirm that just by eating slower, you’ll consume fewer calories — in fact, enough to lose 20 pounds a year without doing anything different or eating anything different. The reason is that it takes about 20 minutes for our brains to register that we’re full. If we eat fast, we can continue eating past the point where we’re full. If we eat slowly, we have time to realize we’re full, and stop on time. Now, I would still recommend that you eat healthier foods, but if you’re looking to lose weight, eating slowly should be a part of your new lifestyle.
- Enjoy your food. This reason is just as powerful, in my opinion. It’s hard to enjoy your food if it goes by too quickly. In fact, I think it’s fine to eat sinful foods, if you eat a small amount slowly. Think about it: you want to eat sinful foods (desserts, fried foods, pizza, etc.) because they taste good. But if you eat them fast, what’s the point? If you eat them slowly, you can get the same amount of great taste, but with less going into your stomach. That’s math that works for me. And that argument aside, I think you are just happier by tasting great food and enjoying it fully, by eating slowly. Make your meals a gastronomic pleasure, not a thing you do rushed, between stressful events.
- Better digestion. If you eat slower, you’ll chew your food better, which leads to better digestion. Digestion actually starts in the mouth, so the more work you do up there, the less you’ll have to do in your stomach. This can help lead to fewer digestive problems.
- Less stress. Eating slowly, and paying attention to your eating, can be a great way to be in the moment, rather than rushing through a meal thinking about what you need to do next. When you eat – just eat. Give it a try.
- Rebel against fast food and fast life. Our hectic, fast-paced, stressful, chaotic lives — the Fast Life — leads to eating Fast Food, and eating it quickly. This is a lifestyle that is dehumanizing us, making us unhealthy, stressed out, and unhappy. We rush through our day, doing one mindless task after another, without taking the time to live life, to enjoy life, to relate to each other, to be human. That’s not a good thing in my book. Instead, rebel against that entire lifestyle and philosophy … with the small act of eating slower. Don’t eat Fast Food. Eat at a good restaurant, or better yet, cook your own food and enjoy it fully. Taste life itself.
- Improve your relationships. It’s amazing how a simple thing like eating slower can improve your relationships. When you eat with your spouse, or family, or friends – slow down, enjoy your food and the company. Talk. Laugh. Tell stories. In other words, share your life with others. A good meal with people you love can work wonders for your life … and theirs.
Photo courtesy ginnerobot
Adapted from Leo of Zen Habits
Corey is the editor of Simple Marriage as well as a licensed marriage & family therapist. While he has a Ph.D. in Family Therapy, he only occasionally likes to be called doctor. If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe so you don't miss any future posts.9 Responses to “Improve Your Marriage and Life by Eating Slower”
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My wife and I have been trying to slow down our dinners, trying to make each one special, especially since it’s the only meal we get to eat together during the week. However, we have a 5 month old that sometimes tries to rush us through the meal.
If there is one thing that can rush a meal … it’s kids. Some of our favorite times is the last part of our meals at home. The kids have finished and are off playing, we get moments to talk (although we are constantly interrupted).
Still better than not connecting at all in my book.
I have been trying to adopt a no-fast food lifestyle and the meal that’s messing me up is breakfast. Each morning I get up very early (4:40) to get to gym and then straight to work. I usually end up with a breakfast sandwich from some fast food place. Eh! I’m a picky eater who doesn’t like cereal or breakfast bars. I need something I can eat on the way to work or at my desk. Unfortunately, fast is what my morning requires!
I really like this idea. I’m the queen of fast food, and I miss those family dinners that just seemed to linger forever because we were having such a good time talking and laughing.
Usually I would completely agree with you on this except that right now we are staying with his family until the end of the year. (Assuming, of course, the next scan is good.) Dinnertime is so massively awkward that I can’t wait to get it over with.
Why is it awkward Hayden?
I am one of the fastest eaters I know. I hate it but find it so difficult to slow down. I have been a teacher for years. By the time I dropped my kids off at the cafeteria, got my lunch out and made enough time in the end to pick up the kids, I have to inhale my food. I find that no matter what meal I am eating, I feel a sense of urgency while I eat it. It spoils the meal and then I sit there forever while I wait on others to finish. I’ve attempted to slow down but so far haven’t been very successful.
I love the holistic approach to marriage you have on this site. I love how slower eating can be thought to indirectly improve marriage in part because it makes you healthier. Healthier, more relaxed people can carry on healthy relationships more easily. And when you eat slower, you are almost forced to talk to the other people around the table. Cool. Thanks for the thought.
Number 6 is key for me. I’m a strong believer in eating meals together. There’s nothing more relaxing and satisfying than a good, home cooked meal and stimulating conversation. Thanks for the tips.