Savor the Flavor

by Leslie Aronson — May 21, 2008

Eating healthy can often get boring, especially if you're like me and tend to eat the same things over and over again (one more spinach salad and I swear to god I'll scream!). But, as a study from the University of Pennsylvania suggests, focusing on the details of what you're eating increases your satisfaction level. Rather than eating quickly and ignoring the details of what you're tasting, take the time to savor what you're putting in your body. Not only is this good for your digestion (your body really doesn't like it when you inhale your food) but it delays feeling bored with your food. Taking the time to enjoy your food and taste all the nuances of what's on your plate can also defray that diet-killing habit of mindless eating. If you're paying attention to what you're eating, logic follows that you a) won't overeat and b) you won't eat junk that your body doesn't really want. Sometimes, of course, logic fails and we eat whatever's in front of us without really noticing that it's a bag of Cheetos...oh wait...half a bag of Cheetos. But getting in the habit of paying attention to your food (and whether or not it's actually good for you) will decrease those pesky lapses of judgment and keep you from getting bored with your healthy choices.