Can eating slow(er) help weight loss?

I found this article on eating slower and was wondering if anyone could tell me if it really works?

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I grew up in a military family and we always had to eat quickly (like my dad) and I have continued to do it over the years. Lately, however, I have tried taking my time as I eat and have noticed that I don't feel as hungry for as long as I normally would. Just wondering if this is valid or if I am just trying grasping at straws here...

Hi, I really don't know how it works for the rest of the world, but I have always been a very, very slow eater and it hasn't helped me at all. Although I have many other problems that I consider the reason for my being overweight. So I guess what I'm saying is that if it makes you feel more satisfied, thats good but don't count on it as a big weight loss tool. Good Luck

Eating slowly can certainly help you lose weight, because it means that you are not eating as fast, so it gives your body enough time to send out the hormone that gives you that 'full' feeling. When you eat carbohydrates, your body actually sends out the 'hungry' feeling hormone, even if your body does not actually need more food. Giving enough time for this to wear off helps you eat only until you are full.

To eat more slowly, try to appreciate the flavors and textures that are alreay in your mouth--which means that you will savor each bite.

I hope you found that helpful.

Yes, I did thank you!

Here's a clipping from Men's Health "Weight-Loss Coach":

"Yes, wolfing down food can sabotage your weight-loss efforts. A recent study at the University of Rhode Island found that slow eaters consume about 67 fewer calories per meal, potentially cutting 201 calories out of your day. Start with a salad or a light side dish before moving to the main course. This will give your appetite time to catch up."

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I find it does help...if I wolf it down I eat more because I still feel hungry.

The other trick is to wait at least 20 minutes before having seconds or dessert...this gives your brain time to realize you are full. Today I thought I needed more after eating my lunch but I was writing my journal on here and waited and when I was finished I realized I wasn't actually hungry any longer. It took that time for my brain and body to catch up.

If I had just eaten my food quickly and moved right on to dessert or a snack I would have had too much.

So eat slowly and, if you know you have had a decent serving, take a break, drink some water or tea and see if you are still hungry. If so go to it, but if you are not than save your snack for later!

That sounds totally valid to me. If you eat slowly you notice when you first feel full, if that makes sense. If you eat all the food in front of you very quickly, you don't pause to see if you are actually still hungry before eating more.

I hope that makes some sense...I couldn't exactly find the right way to express it.

yup - and studies show that each bite of food you take should be chewed 10-15 times.

I always "hoover" my food: always have, probably always will. I eat faster than anyone I know—you should see the shock and awe on the faces of people I eat with who are new to that phenomenon—and I've never been overweight. But I generally eat smallish meals throughout the day, and I always wait 20 or 30 minutes after eating if I'm still hungry to see if the hunger goes away. It usually does. It's very rare for me to get seconds, and rarer still for me to eat dessert.

I do believe eating slowly is a good idea; I'm just not likely to adopt it given I've eaten at lightning speed my whole life. And there is no way I'd ever chew my food as many times as they tell you to before swallowing. I can't even stand to eat cereal that's been sitting in milk for more than a few seconds. I prefer my food to have—and retain—texture as I eat it.

digestion begins in the mouth, if you eat quickly you probably won't realize how full you are until you've already eaten too much. I have stomach issues, and i started paying attention to how quick i was eating, i start chewing more and slower and i ate about half of what i usually do and was full..plus my stomach wasn't upset. i believe it.

i've always been a reaaaally slow eater (but a really fast drinker... i can go through a liter of water in about 3 minutes) and one way it's caused me to eat less is that at restaurants, everyone is already long done by the time i'm 1/3 of the way through my meal. haha, and at that point, no one wants to wait for me to finish so i'm forced to eat less!

It's totally valid - if you eat slower your body can tell you as soon as it is full when it is full.  If you eat fast, you can overfill before your body has a chance to notice it's full.

Actually it does work!! You know what your mom used to say, chew each bite 20 -25 times each (bite)??? It is true.  It takes your brain 20 minutes to even register you have eaten.  So the slower the better.  I do chew slowly and i notice i do get fuller faster.  Try it!!


Clarice