Foods should not just be cooked well; they should also be eaten with delight. We all know that eating healthy is vital, but having a joyful dining experience is also essential.
After you prepare your meals, what are the things you do to ensure that you enjoy eating them? According to research, it’s crucial to take your time to chew and eat for a longer time as it helps your body digest food properly. Besides, taking your time also results in a more satisfying dining experience.
But how can you fully enjoy your food till the last scoop? Check out these tips below:
Mindful Eating
Mindful eating involves thinking about the taste and flavors of the food you’re eating. You put your heart and effort to cook a delicious meal for yourself, so slow down and take your time. Enjoy all the flavors of the food on your plate.
Pay attention to the taste of the vinegar, the zest of the lemon, and the bitterness of the cabbage as you chew your meal. Doing this will ensure that you eat slowly and enjoy your dinner.
Don’t Use Your Devices
Sadly, using mobile phones while eating has become quite the norm. Using devices while eating doesn’t just take away your attention to the food but also forces you to eat quickly. Essentially, you would want to finish your meals so you can finish the Netflix fill you’re watching, or so you can chat with your best friend without interruptions. These things take away the joy of eating.
Scrolling through Facebook while eating leaves you distracted. As a result, you chow down faster and finish your food too early. Make it a habit to put down your phone before eating so you can fully enjoy your meals.
Take Small Bites
To ensure that you enjoy your food, take smaller bites. Indeed, finishing that tasty burger in 5 minutes is exceptionally fulfilling, making the dining experience less delightful. Take a small bite and enjoy all the flavors of the burger. That way, you get to taste every single ingredient of it.
Besides, smaller bites ensure that you don’t bite your tongue or the inside of your cheek, which can be a total bummer. People with dental problems are also encouraged to take smaller bites, so their dental prostheses don’t get damaged. If you have newly placed dental implants, it would be wiser to chew smaller pieces to ensure a safe recovery.
Drop the Utensils as You Chew
After taking a bite, drop your utensils. Holding your spoon and fork while you’re chewing will only force you to get another bite of steak even though you’re not done chewing. As a result, you fill your mouth with food, leaving you no choice but to chew them fast so you can swallow. Give yourself a few seconds to pause before getting another bite.
Make Sure to Have a Drink
Having a cup of water or any unsweetened beverage to match your meal is essential for joyful dining. Make sure to take a sip between bites to digest your meals fully and lengthen the meal. In addition, sipping a drink while eating will encourage you to swallow the first bite before getting another one.
Eat at a Dining Table
Get out of your work area and eat your food at your dining table. It will make the dining experience more enjoyable as you are not facing your monitor. Eating at your work desk will make you feel pressured to finish your meals right away, so don’t ever think about it.
It’s essential to pay attention to your food. So stay away from your work desk so you can ignore email notifications without feeling guilty.
Don’t Bite if You’re Going to Talk
Whether you’re eating dinner with your spouse or your family, make sure to stop biting when you intend to talk. If the conversation is getting interesting, avoid the urge to speak when your mouth is full. Take your time, chew your food, and swallow it first before speaking- this is a common dining etiquette.
On the contrary, avoid asking questions to your companion if they have a mouthful of food. It will pressure them to eat rapidly and not enjoy their meals. Make sure that both of you are interested in talking while eating before starting a lengthy conversation.
Lastly, Rest After You Finish Your Meal
If you’re not in a hurry, stay in your seat and think about how delightful it is to finish such a tasty meal. Aside from enjoying the flavors, taking the time to appreciate the food you eat can help you have an enjoyable dining experience.
Make sure to follow these tips every time you eat. Remember, food is meant to be enjoyed.
