The Lost Art of Eating Slowly

In today’s busy world, we rarely have the opportunity to relax and reflect on our lives. Meditation is an art practised by the rich, and the lowly office worker cannot afford it. And as for food, it is a rushed affair, a minor inconvenience of the flesh that it must be fed each day in order to continue its work in bringing in the money to pay for the very food that is necessitated by such work.

And how many of us think to nourish our mind and spirit whilst we eat?
Trust me when I say that mindful and careful eating of food can bring a relaxed state of mind, just as powerful as any yoga class.

Take a minute to think about the origins of your meal. Somewhere along the line, crops have been grown, or animals reared, or boxes packed, trucks driven, shelves stocked, all in order to bring you the food you see before you. Your meal has taken a great amount of time to come to fruition, and many people were involved in its preparation, not just you. What a waste then, for it to be consumed in only a few minutes feverish munching.

Eat your food slowly, then. Sample each part in turn and combine their flavours. Do you always eat around the plate in a certain direction (you may not even be aware of this)? Try a different route, and marvel at the change it brings about in the experience of your palate.

Consider the unique experience each ingredient brings to your food, think what it adds to the dish and what it obscures; careful eating inspires careful cooking, and your skills will improve if you follow this doctrine.

Chew! How much of the flavour of a dish is wasted when it is poured straight down your throat? Chewing will also ease your digestion, and of course it minimises any risk of choking on your food.

Slow eating offers the opportunity to practice relaxation without departing from your daily routine. It will improve your digestive transit, your palate, and possibly even your cooking.