Modern life pushes many of us to eat like we’re in a speed contest – quick bites between calls, finishing lunch in ten minutes, or eating dinner in front of a screen. The problem is that your body’s fullness signals don’t work well at that speed.
When you eat slowly, your gut hormones and stretch receptors send messages to the brain saying, “Okay, that’s enough.” This takes a bit of time. Eating too fast means you often cross that comfortable level before the message arrives, leading to overfullness, bloating, and sometimes heartburn.
Rapid eating also encourages poor chewing. Large chunks of food reach the stomach, making digestion harder and more uncomfortable. People who eat quickly may notice more gas, heaviness, or the need to lie down after meals.
Simple habits help: put your fork or spoon down between bites, take small sips of water, chew more thoroughly, and avoid scrolling or working while you eat. Even adding five extra minutes to a meal makes a difference.
You don’t need to count chews or become obsessive. Just shifting from “shovel mode” to a more relaxed pace can improve digestion and help you naturally eat the right amount without strict calorie counting.