Some tips are:

Put down your cutlery every now and again to help pace yourself – esp. if eating on your own.

A good conversation over a meal helps pace a fast eater – research has shown than many people eat very quickly when watching TV; and are often not fully aware of what is on their plate.

Think about the time that was spent in preparing the food ( respect the cook!), or if you really need to put your eating rate into context! – the time it took to grow the vegetables or nurture the livestock that have now ended up on the plate before you – or the journey the food has made to reach your plate.

Also for effective digestion, many people recommend not eating past 8pm so that you are not digesting while sleeping; and therefore resting well.

As a reminder there is the old adage; “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper.” – that way the evening and overnight are left to allow your body to digest your food properly and get ready for the next day!

Slowing down your eating (and drinking) rate really helps you to enjoy the taste and texture, think about the food-chain, respect cooks and producers, make better choices about local and fair-trade food – and if some are your favourites come from further afield or are specialist then make the numerous costs in them reaching your plate worthwhile! Don’t’ just gobble them down!

As food on markets, in shops, at cafés and in restaurants goes up in price – what better (and simpler) way to get value for money and treat yourself well than simply slowing down how quickly you eat and drink!

Bon Appétit!