Why Chewing Your Food Could Be Wasting Your Time.

"Have you been chewing your food properly?" she asked, her eyes intently fixed on mine.

That question took me by surprise. Noticing my puzzled expression, she shifted her approach, "How long do you usually take to finish your meal?"

I knew the answer to this one. (Thank goodness!)

"10 minutes at most," I replied, "That is, unless I'm caught up in a conversation or engrossed in a show. Then, I might pause more often between bites."

"You really need to start chewing your food properly," she stated as a matter of fact, her expression unchanged.

I was perplexed. "What do you mean by that?"

She explained calmly, "Take the time to taste, bite and break down your food in your mouth at least 7-8 times before swallowing."

That's all she said, my Ayurvedic doctor who is guiding me towards better health and a more mindful lifestyle.

But how does this relate to the clickbaity title of my article?

Well, I'll tell you.

"Mindful Eating" is Going to be a Fad Soon!

Mindful eating will be "the thing" in the coming years. There will soon be everything, from ebooks to courses and software teaching you to eat mindfully. It's somewhat ironic that something as fundamental and instinctive as eating would require such resources.

But then, here's the rest of my story.

I sat down at the dinner table after the call with my doctor that day. I was fully prepared to "eat more mindfully" or so I thought.

I placed the first bite in my mouth, chewed twice and then...

Before I even knew it, my tongue had already pushed the food down my throat! (I'm not kidding!)

That's when I realized: Eating mindfully? Easier said than done.

I am now retraining myself. I close my eyes to concentrate fully on each bite and meals now take me over 20 minutes. I also end up eating less, giving my body the chance to tell me when it's full.

That said, I do slip back into my old habits more than I’d like but I’m hopeful that with time, eating slowly and mindfully while savoring each bite will become second nature.

But this article isn’t just about the mechanics of eating, though that’s incredibly important (seriously, take a moment to notice if you’re actually chewing your food). It’s also about examining our broader behaviors.

When Exactly Did We Stop Chewing Our Food?

When did something so fundamental to our health and survival become a secondary thought, something we rush through or neglect entirely?

I recall my early career days, skipping meals to keep up with work demands. When I did make it to the cafeteria, I was back at my desk in under ten minutes, super proud of my 'efficiency.'

Food could wait, right? But work and ambition? Never.

Skipping meals, working late, sleeping fewer hours, missing family functions and being on call during vacations were all badges of honor that I happily sported.

Neglecting the basic, human needs that seemed to "waste" my precious time didn’t feel like a steep price to pay for the professional goals I was chasing. I had bigger ambitions, bigger dreams than chewing my food well or getting enough sleep, right?

Maybe not.

Some Things Are Just NOT Worthy Badges of Honor.

There’s no shame in taking time to enjoy a healthy meal or getting a good night’s sleep. Yet, we live in a world where anything that doesn’t contribute directly to "measurable productivity" is often dismissed as slacking or wasting time.

But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Taking 20 minutes to chew and enjoy a healthy meal? Not a waste of time.

Getting a full night of restorative sleep? Not a waste of time.

Going on vacation with your family and truly unplugging? Definitely not a waste of time.

Sure, I could list how these things can boost your productivity, but here’s the thing: they aren’t just about making you more efficient.

They’re about you.

These moments are not means to an end. They are the foundation of who you are. They are life itself.

Chewing your food is just one of those many practices.

It's an apt metaphor for how we should be living our lives.

Are we truly present in the moments that make up our days or are we just rushing through, barely tasting our experiences?

Maybe, it’s time to slow down (at least as much as we can), not just at our dining tables, but in all aspects of our everyday (what we often dismiss as "mundane" parts of our lives) lives.

For some of us, slowing down is a luxury. But for those of us who can afford to do it and are only held back by the guilt of being less productive, let's make it happen?

Let's cherish each moment, each bite, each conversation with the attention it deserves. Mindful eating might just be the first step in cultivating a more attentive, fulfilling life.

After all, if we can transform how we eat, who knows what else we can change for the better?