How many times do you chew each bite of food? What’s your guess? Not sure? Tune in during your next meal and report back. I dare say, for the majority of us, it’s far less than 40!!
“So? What’s the big deal?” you might ask.
I had heard of the 40 chew concept, but it wasn’t until I took my boys to New Hampshire this summer to visit my parents that it really made an impact. Meal after meal the boys were first to gobble up their food, followed by me, then my parents (by a long shot).
“Slow down! Taste your food! If you like it so much, stop and enjoy it.”
These were the words my parents were telling the boys over and over again. It was apparent that my folks had made a conscious effort to change the way they approached each meal full of wonderful whole foods. There was no rush, but rather a moment for enjoying each other’s company, telling stories, and sharing a delicious, nourishing meal. When I slowed down to my the pace my mom and dad had set, the experience was truly different. Granted, we were spoiled with seafood feasts of lobster and scollops freshly caught by my uncle, lots of shrimp, and fresh flounder hooked by the boys, but regardless, the challenge of chewing each bite 40 times allowed me to be even more appreciative.
I knew I had my work cut out for me at home. My husband is quite possibly one of the fastest eaters out there. He’s a big guy with lots of space to fill and he gets excited about food. He eats great quality food and 99% of the time makes the comment, “this is the best meal I’ve ever had.” I’m not sure how he even has time to make such an evaluation when it goes down so fast. Needless to say, the speed at which I was eating had increased over the last several years of being married to him. It was time to change that.
When the boys and I got back from New Hampshire, my husband had planned a weekend get-a-away for the two of us to celebrate our 10th anniversary. It was the perfect time to introduce the idea to him – relaxing meals, sans kids and without the hustle of everyday life.
“I have a challenge for you! I bet you can’t chew each bite of food 40 times before swallowing.” Part of me thought, he may not take the challenge because he can be set in his ways and it might annoy him to slow down this much. I gave him a brief recap of my experience in NH and said “just try it.” So he did during our first dinner out.
We sat outside at a fancy burger joint with our bun-less burgers toped with bacon and a side of skillet veggies (he had some gourmet fry sampler too), enjoying the mountain scape backdrop and the rarity of having no other commitments than being together. With each bite my husband set down his fork (not sure that has EVER happened), looked around, and sat back.
“THIS IS A WHOLE NEW EXPERIENCE!” were the words that came out of his mouth. Success! I had done it – the impossible.
The flavors, the textures, the satisfaction were all amplified in the simple act of slowing down and chewing! And rather than ordering another round of food, my hubby was more than satisfied with his one meal – his system had time to register his fullness.
The next challenge: our kids! We are still working on this one. But, the success so far has come when our littlest reminds Dad to take his 40 chews.
Can you take the 40 chew challenge? Give it a try when you aren’t pressed for time and when you have a great meal in front of you. We recently went to an incredible farm to table dinner and it was another good opportunity to practice our meal-time presence.
Beautiful scenery…
and the freshest of foods prepared by top chefs!
It would have been easy to overlook these unique “balsamic pearls” if we had inhaled this caprese salad dish. But, the taste and texture they added to the salad was incredible while executing the 40 chew concept.
Take the challenge, change the way you experience food, and share your experience in the comments below. Do you notice any of these possible benefits?
1. Feeling satisfied sooner (eating less overall)
2. Experiencing mindful eating
3. Putting down your fork between bites
4. Better digestion
5. Noticing tastes and textures that often overlooked
6. Enjoying the people and environment around you
7. Gratitude!
