Raise your hand if you feel me on this one: Constantly checking your email, Facebook page, or whatever the latest update is on your phone while you’re eating. I notice when I do this, I don’t entirely enjoy my meal.
Come on, should we really be texting and enjoying a forkful of food at the same time? When I keep getting pulled back to my phone, my meal suffers.
Focusing on your food helps to relax your mind. You’re less prone to anxiety because you’ve ignored (at least for a few minutes) the latest tweet, post, or like.
According to experts at Ohio State University, you should chew softer foods 5-10 times and more dense foods (meats/veg) up to 30 times before swallowing.
Chewing your food slowly reduces indigestion, constipation, bloating, and bacterial growth. It can also help you to lose weight.
So, here is what I’ve started doing: I set my phone or laptop aside. I take all my devices off the table so I can’t touch them.
For those who eat while sitting on the couch or in the bed, it won’t hurt to move your phone a few feet away, so you can’t reach it.
I also try to wait a few minutes after I eat before checking my phone. This is a tough one, and I admit it’s a work in progress.
Concentrating on your meal and avoiding mindless distractions can help you to feel calmer and really taste your food. And isn’t that what healthy eating is all about?
Are you staying off your smartphone during mealtime? Let me know by leaving a comment below.
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