Last Updated:
Eating at a leisurely pace allows you to appreciate your food and feel full before overeating.
Eating too quickly can make it harder to enjoy your food. (Photo: Shutterstock)
When you are in a hurry, eating quickly might seem practical, but it could have unanticipated consequences for your health. A lot of people eat in less than ten minutes, often without realising the impact this behaviour might have on metabolism, digestion, and general health.
Although eating quickly may save time, there may be long-term health risks that should be considered.
Eating A Meal In 10 Minutes Or Less: Here’s How It Impacts Your Body
Health experts warn that having a meal within 10 minutes can seriously interfere with the digestive process and reduce the absorption of nutrients. The process of digestion starts in the mouth, where food is broken down into smaller pieces by chewing and combined with saliva, which contains enzymes like amylase to begin the digestion of carbohydrates.
Eating quickly often leads to poor chewing, which allows larger food particles to pass into the stomach. It causes indigestion, bloating, and imprecise nutritional extraction by placing more pressure on the stomach and intestines to break down food.
Furthermore, eating quickly may cause the stomach to produce more acid to make up for not chewing enough, which could lead to discomfort and heartburn. Additionally, eating too quickly throws off the gut-brain axis; hormones that indicate fullness, such as leptin, take 20 to 30 minutes to activate, which eventually causes overeating and poor food absorption.
Long-term health problems like obesity and metabolic syndrome may be exacerbated by this trend.
Eating Quickly: Are There Any Health Risks?
- Poor digestion
- Indigestion and heartburn
- Poor nutrient absorption
- Increased risk of metabolic syndrome
- Unwanted weight gain
How To Make Sure You Are Not Eating Too Fast
Here are some ideas for developing mindful eating that incorporate several tactics:
- Get rid of distractions: Switch off all your electronics and concentrate just on your food.
- Give it a good chew: This facilitates better digestion and increases flavour appreciation.
- Take a moment between bites: Consider the signs of hunger and fullness for a moment.
- Be thankful: Consider where the food came from and enjoy it.
- Begin modestly: Concentrate on just one meal daily to progressively increase attentiveness.