How to chew your food slowly in 5 easy steps

Chewing is an integral part of the digestion process and it's not as easy as it looks. Active! shows you how you can avoid choking and enjoy your food 1 Take smaller bites or cut your food into small pieces. Half-inch squares are about right for meats, fish and other larger pieces of food. It's easier to completely chew your food if you take smaller bites, so stop shoveling mouthfuls in.u00a02 Finish first. Don't put another bite in your mouth until you have chewed the one already in your mouth. Incidentally, this is also a great way to prevent mindless overeating.u00a0u00a0 3 Don't count your chews. Making dinner conversation could be difficult if you do. Just remember that if you can still determine what kind of food is in your mouth by texture alone (not taste), you haven't chewed it enough. For example, if you are eating a paneer roti, and you can still tell the difference between the roti, the paneer and the onions, keep on chewing.4 Sip in between bites, not during. If you need to use water to wash your food down, chances are high you didn't chew your food thoroughly. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption just prior to eating. It impairs judgement and dries out your mouth, increasing your chances of choking.5 Put your fork down between stabfuls. This simple action helps you slow down, focus on the food that is in your mouth and to even ponder over what a great meal you're in the midst of.