Many studies have investigated the impact of different eating speeds while carefully controlling variables like water intake. Consistently, these studies reveal that individuals who eat slowly tend to consume fewer calories during a meal. Furthermore, when they consume the same amount of food in a meal, extended meal durations often lead to a reduction in subsequent meal consumption.
In this particular study, participants who adopted a slower eating pace consumed approximately 100 fewer calories per meal. Additionally, they reported feeling more satisfied and experiencing reduced hunger following their leisurely-paced meals. Research also indicates that eating slowly has a positive impact on two important hormones responsible for regulating appetite. These hormones play a pivotal role in signaling fullness and satiety to the brain. Therefore, slowing down one’s eating not only assists in consuming fewer calories in each meal but also has the potential to keep individuals feeling full for a more extended period, mitigate cravings, and prevent overeating later in the day.