Chewing is an important part of proper nutrition.
If we don't chew our food thoroughly we can not digest our food properly; if we don't completely digest our food it creates many issues for the body.
The digestion process starts in the mouth.
Chewing breaks down food and also initiates the release of digestive enzymes.
If we are swallowing our food whole or barely chewed the digestion system has to work so much harder.
Proper chewing can aid in reducing incidences of indigestion.
And, it can assist in resolving elimination issues.
Chewing thoroughly also allows us to eat more slowly - this creates space in the meal to enjoy it, actually taste the food and even savor it.
By slowing down this process it will also help us eat less.
This is true because it takes longer, giving us more time to realize we are full AND we can garner more nutrients from the food we eat.
If we can more fully utilize the nutrients in the food we eat we can be nourished with fewer calories.
To check your current chewing skills do an experiment - try chewing a piece of food as you normally would.
Count the number of times you chew it before swallowing it.
Then take the same amount of the same food and attempt to double the number of chews before swallowing.
For most people, with a little focus, it is not too difficult.
This is a SURE sign you are not chewing your food thoroughly enough.
Your food should be liquefied before swallowing it.
Moral of the story - a making a simple change like being more conscious of chewing habits can make a big difference in the digestion, assimilation and elimination of the food you eat.
Every little bit helps.