63. EATING–SLOW DOWN TO ENJOY MORE
Dear Grandma Donna:
I learned a negative about myself when I went out to eat with some young people during the holidays—I eat too fast. There were two young men in our group who literally inhaled their food. It disgusted me to watch them take big bites, chew a time or two, swallow, and take another big bite. With disapprovement coursing through my mind, I suddenly thought about myself. I don’t eat as rapidly as these guys, but I down my food much too quickly. I am making resolution to eat slowly so I can be an example of the proper way to eat. Please tell me how. Love, Savana
Dear Savana:
You possibly inherited this fast-eating habit from my family. There was always much to do on the farm, so we went to the table with the idea in mind to finish the meal so we could rush off to the next activity. My dad probably ate faster than any of us. I remember how he finished his meal and left the table in a matter of minutes. I don’t think he or my mother realized that we needed to relax and enjoy our meal.
You became aware of your bad habit after observing the young men who gobbled their food. I learned about this weakness in myself many years ago when I taught school with Beverley. She and I often ate lunch together. I was amazed to see her take small bites, chew each bite for a long time, swallow and leisurely fork another bite of food. She finished eating way after me, but I think she ate less. I almost immediately determined to slow down, relax and enjoy my food. Since I have never fully conquered this practice, I will unite with you in the battle.
Our motivation to slow down can come from three facts:
First, the only time we enjoy the food we eat is when it is in our mouth. Place a small bite of food in the mouth—about 1/3 of a teaspoon. Don’t chew for a few seconds—possibly even a minute. Just hold the food and savor the taste. This is a difficult step when we are hungry, but when we swallow quickly, we miss the pleasure that comes from letting food stay in the mouth where the taste buds can enjoy it. Since digestion begins in the mouth, this will mix the digestive juices with the food in the mouth and help the absorption of the nutrients.
Secondly, we must bear in mind that one-fourth of our world goes to bed hungry every night. These people would savor one small bite of rice. That fact should make us slow down to enjoy every bite of food with a grateful heart for our abundant food supply.
Since most of us eat too much, the third fact is of great benefit. It is that when we eat leisurely, the satiety gland functions to make us feel full with a much smaller quantity of food. Many people have always eaten too much food too fast, which has destroyed their satiety gland. As they slow down and eat less, yet feel full, their health will improve.
Now let’s consider two steps which will encourage eating slowly:
Do not drink with meals. Drinking any beverage slows digestion, plus it often washes food down without it being chewed. Drink plenty of water before and after meals and there will be no thirst at mealtime.
Stop eating every few minutes to breathe deeply. This calming activity is invaluable in gaining the victory. The increased oxygen helps the body relax which aids digestion.
The year—2017! Grandma and granddaughter conquered speed eating! Love, Grandma Donna
VEGGIE CHEESE CHOWDER
1 large onion chunked
4 medium peeled potatoes chunked
4 large peeled carrots chunked
4 c broccoli diced into bite-size pieces
1 c raw cashews or slivered almonds (wash cashews)
2 c water
3 T nutritional yeast flakes
2 T chicken seasoning
1 t salt
Steam the onion, potatoes and carrots until tender. In a separate
pot, steam the broccoli until tender and set aside. Add the nuts
then blend the vegetable/nut mixture 2 cups at a time, adding
water to achieve smooth blending. Pour into the pot with the
broccoli and add the yeast flakes, chicken seasoning and salt.
Stir well and heat. Serve the chowder over rice, as a topping
over baked potatoes or toast, or eat it as a soup. Add a sprinkle
of parsley if desired.