Fat Slow and Mindful Eating

Obesity is a risk factor for heart disease, and for diabetes, which is itself a risk factor for heart disease. It’s caused by eating too much. The problem is how to eat less.

Slow eating was the topic of an article in The New York Times late last month. The article cited three studies showing that eating ice cream in 30 minutes instead of 5 released more hormones that make people feel full; that people consume about 10 percent less calories when they eat slowly; and that fast eaters have triple the risk of obesity. It can’t hurt, the article concluded, to slow down and savor your meals.

Savoring your meals is the essence of “mindful eating” which was discussed in The Washington Post last December. Sit down when you’re eating, use a plate for everything, use all your senses to explore every bite and experience it fully, and leave reminders, like candy wrappers and empty wineglasses, of what you’ve eaten.