New research studies confirm that by eating more slowly, you will consume fewer calories and eat less overall. It takes about 20 minutes for the signal from our stomach to our brain to register that we are full. If we eat fast, we can continue eating past the point where we are full and eat much more. If we eat slowly, we have time to realize that we are full, and stop. Take the time to savor the meal.

Also studies show that we can feel less stressed by eating slowly. Have you ever rushed through a meal and not really tasted it or remember what it tasted like? Perhaps you ate a meal and didn’t even remember finishing it but you did. If we pay attention to our eating, it can be a great form of mindfulness. Mindfulness is one of the foundations of Zen Buddhism and it is about being aware of your actions and thoughts, and what your senses bring in, in your every day routine. It is about being in the moment, rather than rushing through our day. When we are mindful, we slow the day down along with our blood pressure, we enjoy more and don’t worry about what we have to do causing less stress.