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I was just explaining to him my theory on weight gain – slow eaters vs. fast eaters. And the little crazy experiment I had set out to prove my point.
Sometime in November, I had lunch with an old high school buddy of mine. Let’s call him Dave.
Now, Dave is probably the slowest eater you will ever find on the face of this planet. When we have dinner parties at a restaurant, there’s always that contemplation whether to invite Dave or not because if he was invited, dinner could pretty much last about 2 hours longer. It’s not that he plays with his food, it’s just he talks more during the dinner than he chews or eats.
During lunch I told him that old age “is catching up on me” and my body “doesn’t metabolize that quickly anymore”. Dave looks at me and tells me that he will never have that problem because he’s read somewhere that slow eaters rarely gain weight. I thought that was a very interesting theory so I set out to do some internet research on it on the subject.
Popular fitness trainer Denise Austin discussed a new study on her website that finds “women who eat slowly consume significantly lower calories per meal (70 calories average) than their quick-chewing peers”.
The Diet Channel encourages dieters to “Slow Down – Did you ever notice that thin people take an awfully long time to eat their food? Eating slowly is one method that can help take off pounds. That’s because from the time you begin eating it takes the brain 20 minutes to start signalling feelings of fullness. Fast eaters often eat beyond their true level of fullness before the 20-minute signal has had a chance to set in. The amount of calories consumed before you begin to feel full can vary significantly depending on how quickly you eat. So slow down, take smaller bites and enjoy and savor every tasty morsel.”
Just to put this theory to test, I devised a list of friends that I have not seen for at least one year. I divided them into two groups – slow eaters and fast eaters. For the next two months, I had lunch with every single one of them.
The first group – slow eaters – did not show any weight gain since I last saw them. I also noticed that they chewed their food at least twice longer before swallowing it. At the same time, I followed their chewing pace and discovered that the food inside my mouth has turned to complete mush before I swallowed it. I felt full and satisfied halfway through my meal.
Trying to keep pace with the chewing methods of the fast eaters was kind of interesting. It was so hard not to “give up the game” because I thought I was going to choke on my food. In one instance, I have come to a conclusion that a friend, let’s call her Jaz, does not chew her food, and just completely swallows it whole. And at the same time whining that she’s gained so much weight. I didn’t even know it was possible to swallow and talk at the same time. With this group, I did see signs of the yo-yo weight gain pattern.
Tonight my husband asks me when did I become such a slow eater. And I replied, “Well, honey, I have to chew my food.”
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That makes sense! Thanks for sharing your scientific studies. I am a fast eater. I will work towards slowing down. Something else i need to do is stop eating in front of the television. I often find I have eaten and don’t even remember what it tasted like.
[...] The Diva Network wrote an interesting post today on Weight Gain – Slow Eaters Vs. Fast EatersHere’s a quick excerpt [IMG iTrip Auto] My husband thinks that I have gone off the rocker. I was just explaining to him my theory on weight gain – slow eaters vs. fast eaters. And the little crazy experiment I had set out to prove my point. Sometime in November, I had lunch with an old high school buddy of mine. Let’s call him Dave. Now, Dave is probably the slowest eater you will ever find on the face of this planet. When we have dinner parties at a restaurant, there’s always that contemplation whether to inv [...]
[...] The Diva Network wrote an interesting post today on Weight Gain – Slow Eaters Vs. Fast EatersHere’s a quick excerpt [IMG iTrip Auto] My husband thinks that I have gone off the rocker. I was just explaining to him my theory on weight gain – slow eaters vs. fast eaters. And the little crazy experiment I had set out to prove my point. Sometime in November, I had lunch with an old high school buddy of mine. Let’s call him Dave. Now, Dave is probably the slowest eater you will ever find on the face of this planet. When we have dinner parties at a restaurant, there’s always that contemplation whether to inv [...]
[...] The Diva Network wrote an interesting post today on Weight Gain – Slow Eaters Vs. Fast EatersHere’s a quick excerpt [IMG iTrip Auto] My husband thinks that I have gone off the rocker. I was just explaining to him my theory on weight gain – slow eaters vs. fast eaters. And the little crazy experiment I had set out to prove my point. Sometime in November, I had lunch with an old high school buddy of mine. Let’s call him Dave. Now, Dave is probably the slowest eater you will ever find on the face of this planet. When we have dinner parties at a restaurant, there’s always that contemplation whether to inv [...]
Interesting idea! I am a very slow eater, not that I talk more than eat, but I’m just a slow chewer and take smaller bites. My boyfriend on the other hand, could eat just about everything on both our plates in half the the time it takes me.
That makes sense, I will have to start to eat slower. I need to lose about 20 more pounds.
well, that’s because you’re supposed to chew your food like a million times before you swallow. that’s how you trick yourself into getting full quicker… then you eat less… too bad i don’t want to do that lol
Jay
DatMoney.com
I have noticed that eating slowly leads to weight loss too, so I try to actually “prepare” for a meal, instead of just grabbing and munching on the run. I think that engaging all of the senses during the meal also leads to feeling full sooner.
I have heard that people that eat slower do tend to gain less weight. That sounded like and interesting expierment. I can only imagine what it must have been like to try to eat and chew fast? I tend to be one of the slower eaters myself.
My mom’s been preaching this for years, and I do fine with it provided that I’m not absolutely starving! Have to keep my svelte swoon worthiness.
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I can also give you more evidence of this. I have a medical condition called a hiatle hernia (part of my stomach is above my diaphram). This causes extreme pain if I eat too fast or too much. I am also VERY thin… and my weight has only increased by 5% over the past 9 years.
Now, I have not always had this medical condition but I have always been a slow eater. I have also noticed that for fast eaters it is also possible to eat until you’re full… and still have food on it’s way to your stomach. That is to say that your body says you’re done but at the same time, the food is still not quite there yet.
I really do think that this fast paced lifestyle is what causes people to be so overweight. I love food, I eat at every chance I get. I love all sorts of food too. When I eat, I want it to taste good and I want to sit down and enjoy it. I really don’t like eating on the run… especially now that it’s so painful.
I certainly would encourage everyone to eat slowly and savor their meals. You’ll be happier and healthier.
Nathaniel’s last blog post..Fat Bottom Girls
The slowest eater I know (I mean painfully slow!) has always had a problem with his weight. He’s lost it now and is of a “normal” weight for his height, but eating slowly never made a difference for him.
I’ve heard of the “20 minute” thing and I’ve tried to eat more slowly. Sometimes it works for me but often I just want to get a meal over with and move onto something else.
Nathaniel, people a paying high prices to have a surgery to create the sort of banding that your hiatal hernia creates. Do you think you will ever get it repaired?
Unfortunately, the doctors say that they can repair it but as soon as the stitches dissolve it will pop right back… and worse. Not only that but it’s pretty expensive and I’m… not the wealthiest of people. I’ve learned to live with it. I’ve got my routine down to a habit and it really doesn’t bother me. The only time my hernia bothers me is when I try to eat too fast or too much. This usually only happens at work when I’ve got to stuff my face and get back out there. I try to break my lunches up into several breaks throughout the day… but that doesn’t always work.
I’ve actually noticed that the lap band system that I’ve been seeing commercials for seems to be doing the exact same thing as my hernia. the only advantage to that is that the thing can be taken out after a person has gotten into the habit of eating like I do. Since the thing is adjustable they can probably negate the nausea in the mornings as well. My sister in law is going to be getting the lap band… so we’ll see how it compares to my hernia. Wow… that sounds really strange doesn’t it.
Nathaniel’s last blog post..Fat Bottom Girls
I never knew that that condition was like the lap band procedure but now that you mention it does sound quite similiar. At least you have been able to find a way to deal with it in everyday life.
This makes a lot of sense — if you “wolf” your food down, you’re not savouring each bite, so you’re not deriving satisfaction or sating your appetite. Let’s not forget, too, how off putting it is to break bread with those for whom a shovel would be more appropriate than a fork! So we can lose weight and practice good table manners at the same time. LOL
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Melissa, me too! I used to just wolf down my food in record time. I guess that’s also not good for you. Something about slowing down and *smelling the roses*.
Or else it will just give you a hard case of indigestion.
Jewel, I remember you! You are the one that doesn’t gain weight
That’s probably why. Which proves my theory once more time is a getting more and more believable.
3Plus3, LOL!
It really does work you know. Must try it sometime.
SageMother, that is really a terrific suggestion.
We don’t take the time to *prepare* food nowadays when everything is so handy and fast.
It’s back to basics.
Jay, like what, you wolf down your food?
Jon, you definitely have to work on the *swoon worthyness* even if it becomes second nature to you, because you’re gonna have to try to keep up with your gorgeous girl.
Hey, where in the Philippines is she at?
Nathaniel, I do hope your medical condition gets better in time, or is that something that you’ve had for a long time?
You are so right. This fast paced lifestyle and not having a moment to just stop is really what is making us overweight, stressed and sick.
We just need to take the time to stop and enjoy the simpler things in life.
Katharina, there you go. It doesn’t work for everyone. Just figure his brain works a little bit slower than most
Actually, the twenty minute thing works very well. It now takes me less than twenty minutes to get that fullness feeling, but I’ve been at it for almost a couple of months now.
Sometimes, it takes less than 5 minutes and I swear I can’t eat another morsel of my favorite dish.
Which is real bummer, since there’s so many Christmas parties happening just around the corner that I’m not cooking for!
Nathaniel, I also think that it is almost the same procedure that breast cancer patients go through to reconstruct their breasts.
I did have a little hernia when I was younger because of a little diving accident I had. But it was just a small dislocated disk and has not bothered me for a very long time.
well, usually i do lol! but i be hungry! when i’m not, i tend to chew more lol!
Jay
DatMoney.com
DatCurious.com
Jay, I think the point of dieting is not to eat when you are not hungry ???
You’re so cute.