Here in the UK last week there has been a series of programs about various aspects of food and eating (Channel 4 – The Big Food Fight). On Thursday evening there was a program about how modern diets affect your body. The whole thing was quite moving for me, especially as the program culminated with the dissection of a guy only 16kg heavier than me, being compared with the innards of a ‘healthy’ guy.

The program was good motivation for me, but the bit I want to blog about was a little thing they just mentioned in passing about how chewing your food more can make you feel fuller (more satiated). I’ve done a quick wonder around the internet trying to find the details of the actual study without luck, but will press on. There are many many references to this “fact” with various contradictory explanations for it, but I’d like to find some proper research material before I spout about it.

The lack of research information doesn’t stop me trying it for myself though. That’s exactly what I’ve done for the past few days, and I’m not sure of the results. It has however lead me to form the next Habit I’d like to establish and commit to…

Habit 3 – Pause before eating. Take your time and enjoy.

As part of chewing my food more I’ve found myself being more aware about the process of eating. This has turned out to be a very positive thing. No longer am I in shovel mode. I’ve always said that I love the act of eating as much as the food. But in hindsight I have rarely taken the trouble to savour the act.

Since doing this I have found my hunger sated by smaller portions than I would have expected just a few days ago. Maybe this can be attributed to chewing more. Or maybe simply being more concious of eating. Or possibly just that I’m eating more slowly. To be honest I don’t really care why. The fact that it works (at least for me) is good enough for me to build it into my habit system.

I have to say I think it has a deeper affect than simply making me feel less hungry. I believe it might be able to change what eating means to me. Sounds heavy, but really 99% of the time eating for me has been about stopping feeling hungry (or sad or ill or some other bad feeling). That’s pretty sad really.

I’m beginning to realise that eating can be about savouring flavours, smells and textures. Enjoying the fruits of somebody’s labour. Sharing the experience with family and friends. Talking about the food and helping the children learn about it. That’s infinitely more ‘right minded’ than packing stuff in my gob^* so that my gut feels better!

^{* Gob is British ’slang’ for mouth.}