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02
February
2011
The "Must Read" Benefits of CHEWING!!!!
Understanding the huge impact of such a simple process.
Have you ever been out to dinner with someone who was done eating their food before you even took out your napkin? Have you ever noticed that you tend to eat faster when the people around you are inhaling their food? Have you ever noticed that you spend 2 hours cooking or preparing a meal and it disappears in FIVE seconds?
(At first you probably thought they loved your meal so much that they had to inhale it before it was gone. Then...you were reminded that 5 seconds is not enough time to savor the taste of anything!)
What's the most important thing you can do for your health? CHEW CHEW CHEW! That's right...the #1 thing you can do is chew your food. In this fast-paced society of quicky meals, t.v dinners, processed foods, and fast food, we scarf down our food on the go, drink our calories, and inhale our breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I never knew how important chewing was until I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. I was told not to eat fiber, vegetables, or raw foods - the simpler the better! Unfortunately, that statement is a HUGE misconception. True, there are certain foods that flare us up, but the big reason we can't eat those foods is because we don't chew them well enough - which leaves little fibrous pieces that disrupt our stomach's acid balance and scrap the lining of the intestine.
Regardless of whether you have digestive issues or not, chewing is extremely important. Digestion begins in the MOUTH! The teeth break down food and saliva secretes enzymes that start the digestion process. If we don't chew, we skip that important step. Then it's left to the stomach to break down food. Acid is not meant to do the job of our teeth, if it were...we wouldn't have any! When you chew your food, you are turning it into a form that the body can quickly utilize for vitamins and minerals. Have you ever noticed what happens when you swallow seeds or chunks of vegetables whole? They come out like they went in...literally. This should signify to you that your body just wasted energy transporting undigested food and did not reap the nutritional benefits!
We have 32 teeth and they aren't just there for looks! Here is a list of just SOME of the benefits obtained from properly chewing your food:
Improves Digestion
Produces more Energy and Endurance
Develops Patience and Self-control
Reduces Quantity of Food Desired & Promotes Weight-loss - (Most of us don't get the "we're full" message until 20 minutes into a meal. So if you're eating faster, you'll end up eating more food than your body requires - which is one of the main causes of unnecessary weight gain!)
Creates Clearer Thinking and Better Mental Health Stability
Reduces Cravings for Sweets
Improves Tastes for Food
Reduces Flatulence
Relaxes Body, Mind, and Spirit
Produces Better T-Cell Production
Develops Stronger Teeth and Gums
Enhances Marriages and Relationships - (Think about it. You have to chew longer, eat slower, which means you'll be at the table longer and will start embarking on the long-lost art of conversation).
Promotes Rejuvenation
Creates Greater Sexual Stamina and Vitality
Increases Efficiency
Deepens Breath Ability
Improves the Quality of Sleep
Great Mineral Absorption
Reduces Indigestion and Acid Reflux
Strengthens Organ Function and Releases Pain
Increases Digestive Enzyme
Decreases GAS
Anti-bloating
* If you have ANY type of health issue, do yourself a favor...next time you're eating, slow down and take time to chew your food. Enjoy your food. Enjoy your company. And help increase your body's digestive abilities.
If you were one of my clients, regardless of your medical issue, the first thing I would recommend is that you chew your food!
NOTE: People always ask me how I can eat 10 vegetables a day. It's SOLELY because I chew my food. Even in the midst of my worse flare-up I still eat vegetables and fiber. Mush is mush whether it's processed sugar or hardy, rich, nutrient dense food - it should all go into your stomach the same way!
(At first you probably thought they loved your meal so much that they had to inhale it before it was gone. Then...you were reminded that 5 seconds is not enough time to savor the taste of anything!)
What's the most important thing you can do for your health? CHEW CHEW CHEW! That's right...the #1 thing you can do is chew your food. In this fast-paced society of quicky meals, t.v dinners, processed foods, and fast food, we scarf down our food on the go, drink our calories, and inhale our breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I never knew how important chewing was until I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. I was told not to eat fiber, vegetables, or raw foods - the simpler the better! Unfortunately, that statement is a HUGE misconception. True, there are certain foods that flare us up, but the big reason we can't eat those foods is because we don't chew them well enough - which leaves little fibrous pieces that disrupt our stomach's acid balance and scrap the lining of the intestine.
Regardless of whether you have digestive issues or not, chewing is extremely important. Digestion begins in the MOUTH! The teeth break down food and saliva secretes enzymes that start the digestion process. If we don't chew, we skip that important step. Then it's left to the stomach to break down food. Acid is not meant to do the job of our teeth, if it were...we wouldn't have any! When you chew your food, you are turning it into a form that the body can quickly utilize for vitamins and minerals. Have you ever noticed what happens when you swallow seeds or chunks of vegetables whole? They come out like they went in...literally. This should signify to you that your body just wasted energy transporting undigested food and did not reap the nutritional benefits!
We have 32 teeth and they aren't just there for looks! Here is a list of just SOME of the benefits obtained from properly chewing your food:
Improves Digestion
Produces more Energy and Endurance
Develops Patience and Self-control
Reduces Quantity of Food Desired & Promotes Weight-loss - (Most of us don't get the "we're full" message until 20 minutes into a meal. So if you're eating faster, you'll end up eating more food than your body requires - which is one of the main causes of unnecessary weight gain!)
Creates Clearer Thinking and Better Mental Health Stability
Reduces Cravings for Sweets
Improves Tastes for Food
Reduces Flatulence
Relaxes Body, Mind, and Spirit
Produces Better T-Cell Production
Develops Stronger Teeth and Gums
Enhances Marriages and Relationships - (Think about it. You have to chew longer, eat slower, which means you'll be at the table longer and will start embarking on the long-lost art of conversation).
Promotes Rejuvenation
Creates Greater Sexual Stamina and Vitality
Increases Efficiency
Deepens Breath Ability
Improves the Quality of Sleep
Great Mineral Absorption
Reduces Indigestion and Acid Reflux
Strengthens Organ Function and Releases Pain
Increases Digestive Enzyme
Decreases GAS
Anti-bloating
* If you have ANY type of health issue, do yourself a favor...next time you're eating, slow down and take time to chew your food. Enjoy your food. Enjoy your company. And help increase your body's digestive abilities.
If you were one of my clients, regardless of your medical issue, the first thing I would recommend is that you chew your food!
NOTE: People always ask me how I can eat 10 vegetables a day. It's SOLELY because I chew my food. Even in the midst of my worse flare-up I still eat vegetables and fiber. Mush is mush whether it's processed sugar or hardy, rich, nutrient dense food - it should all go into your stomach the same way!
About the Author
Megan Heimer, NHT, JD
Megan is a lawyer, natural health therapist, registered yoga teacher, has a Bachelors degree in political science, and will soon complete her naturopathic doctorate. She has extensive knowledge in holistic nutrition, natural health, and alternative medicine. Megan is currently conducting research on various natural health topics, writing a book, and counsels clients all over the world. Her personal experience with many of today’s health issues allows her to relate easily to her clients and provide the healing protocol that best fits their needs.
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