The majority of people I work with make the same common mistake. Most of the people in my family make it, too. I even make this mistake from time to time, especially when I am overly stressed or not paying enough attention to how I am feeling. 

So, what is it? What is one of the most common eating mistakes I see people make? 

Eating too fast!

Digestion begins in the mouth. The act of chewing plus the enzymes in our saliva is the first step to breaking down food. The initial prepping phase is an essential part of digestion and a symptom-free, healthy gut. Without it, our body has a much harder time breaking down food. 

Eating slower also helps you relax, which is an added bonus for gut health. Digestion becomes impaired when the body is stressed and anxious while eating. Our bodies need to rest in order to digest. So, if we slow down and eat in a more relaxed state, our bodies can absorb all of the benefits from the food we are eating. Additionally, this leads to less indigestion, bloating, and gas. 

So, the next time you eat…. slow down. Take the time to thoroughly chew your food. For optimal digestion (and a healthier, symptom-free gut), make sure you properly chew your food before swallowing. Ideally, you want your food to be pureed completely (like an applesauce consistency) by the time you swallow it. 

Ready, set… slow down!