Are you chewing your food properly?

Mastication, otherwise known as chewing,  does not merely break your food into smaller pieces so that you can swallow, it is the first stage of digestion.

Healthy digestion and nutrient absorption begins with the simple act of chewing your food. When you chew your food properly, your body undergoes several processes that trigger digestion.

Digestive enzymes are released which help to break down our food. If food isn’t digested properly, you could suffer from digestive issues such as indigestion, heartburn, burping, wind, bloating, constipation, headache and fatigue.

Digestion is one of the most energy-consuming processes of the body, so it’s essential that you help your body along by doing your part.

Research shows that you can aid your digestion by chewing softer foods 5-10 times and more dense foods such as meat and vegetable up to 30 times.

Important tips to assist chewing and enhance digestion:

Eat Mindfully. It is very easy to rush your food down when stressed. When stressed your stomach doesn’t produce proper levels of acid and you are unable to digest properly. Take some deep breaths and relax before eating.

Make a point of chewing your food adequately. The food should be well broken down when it is swallowed.

Don’t have drinks when you are eating. Drinking during eating can dilute your digestive juices and reduce efficient digestion.

Put down your eating utensils between mouthfuls. So often we have the next huge mouthful on our knife and fork before we have finished chewing the previous mouthful. By putting down your eating utensils, you allow space to chew and swallow without rushing. Slower entry into the digestion allows your stomach to work better. It also gives time for the messages of satiety to get to your brain to prevent you from overeating.

Put smaller serves on your knife and fork. To ensure you chew and digest well, have smaller serves on your fork. This will allow you to eat more slowly and chew more efficiently, allowing for better digestion.