Table manners are taught to us at an early age. By the time we reach kindergarten, we know not to put our elbows on the table, not to get up before being excused, not to talk with our mouths full. While making the proper fork selection isn’t going to make much of a difference in your life in the long run, how you chew your food might.
Dieticians point out that chewing your food properly is important for good health. Doing so can help you maintain a healthy weight and promote good digestion.
First, sit down while you’re eating. Walking around, watching television or chasing after the kids are distractions that increase your chances of overeating. Focus on your meal as much as possible to avoid putting too much into your mouth.
Next, take small bites and chew them well. Chewing food thoroughly allows saliva to begin breaking food down before it reaches your stomach. And the smaller the food particles are when they’re swallowed, the more efficient the digestion process will be.
Put your silverware down between bites, and pace yourself. Eating slowly is better for digestion, and it will cause most people to feel full sooner. Scarf down your dinner and chances are you’re still going to be hungry a few minutes later.
Finally, avoid drinking liquids while you’re eating. Consuming liquids is filling, which lessens your chances of obtaining the maximum amount of nutrients from the meal. It causes air to be swallowed, which leads to gas, bloating and burping. And it affects digestive enzymes, which are important for the proper breakdown of food.