Eating Healthily Can Mean Eating Slower

The British Medical Journal recently published interesting results regarding use of a mandometer with overweight kids.

A mandometer is a device used to gauge one’s rate of eating. Kids ages 9-17 that used the device were compared to children who didn’t. After 6 months, the mandometer-users had lower fat mass and an overall lower body mass index (BMI), and ate smaller portions and at a slower rate than their non-mandometer using counterparts.

Better yet, six months later the effects were still in place- the children continued to eat smaller portions at a slower eating pace. In other words, having spent time with the mandometer for six months really influenced a behavior change in users.

So what does this mean? It’s just nice when something we believe based on anecdotal evidence is proven through research—especially with results this significant. As a reminder, it takes our bodies anywhere from 15-20 minutes to recognise we’re eating.

The brain and stomach don’t connect the second we put food in our mouths. When you eat fast you may ingest an entire meal before your body recognises you’ve eaten. Then you reach for seconds, thinking you’re still hungry, and you don’t feel the discomforts of overeating until it’s too late. Eating too fast can also result in oesophagial reflux, gassiness, and bloating.

Past research has suggested eating too fast may also double a person’s risk of being overweight.

You can download and read the full report in PDF format. Click Here....

NB: This blog is for information only and is not in any way endorsing the Mandometer product.