How long should it take me to eat?

You might have heard about the importance of setting technology aside during meal times so that you can focus on the food in front of you.

Doing so can prevent you from overeating and allows you to eat more mindfully. It slows down your rate of eating and enables you to enjoy every bite of your food, which has positive effects on your physical and mental health.

The question is, how long should it take you to eat your meals?

There is no one-size-fits-all for this question because it really depends on how much you’re eating, although 20-30 is sometimes given as a guideline. The important thing is that you set aside enough time to comfortably eat your meal without feeling rushed and are able to fully chew every bite of food that you put in your mouth. As well, factor in time to relax for a short period after you’ve eaten.