Food and Digestion Myths

Myth 10 : There is no harm in eating hurriedly. 

Reality : In a world in which the success achieved is related to the speed with which one moves, many people eat food unconsciously in a speedy manner. This would work well if digestion were a process which happened only in the stomach and small intestine and required no chewing. However, the fact is that digestion begins in the mouth. If the food is gulped down hurriedly, the first stage of digestion is missed. Moreover, if the food is not properly chewed it does not get proper exposure to digestive enzymes in the stomach. When you eat hurriedly, you eat more than you really need and put additional burden on the digestive tract, as well as add inches to the waistline. Therefore, follow your mother's advice - chew 32 times before swallowing.

Myth 11 : It is good to drink liberal amounts of fluid with your meal. 

Reality : The only purpose served by fluid with meals is lubrication for swallowing. The need for fluid for this purpose may indicate that you are eating too fast. Fluid dilutes all digestive enzymes. Hydrochloric acid is responsible for beginning the breakdown of protein in the stomach, so hat enzymes can complete that job in the small intestine. Drinking large quantities of fluid with a meal dilutes these digestive juices, making it difficult to digest the food properly. However, a cup of buttermilk can be consumed with meals. Therefore, along with meals, drink minimum amount of water. 

Myth 12 : It is natural to eat more as you grow older and to weigh more as well. 

Reality : Many people accept increased weight with age as the price of aging. What really happens with age is that the digestive system is less able to extract the needed nutrition from the foods presented to it. The result is a compromised, inefficient digestive system with an increased appetite as the body asks vainly for more nutrition through the mechanism of increased hunger, leading to overweight and obesity. Therefore, eat consciously as you grow and settle for nothing less or more than the ideal weight. 

Myth 13 : One should live to eat

Reality : People want to eat pleasant foods only. However pleasant foods tend to be laden with fat, salt and refined starches/sugar. These foods provide a pleasurable experience. Examples are ice cream, candy, chips, cheese, fried foods, etc., If a food tastes and feels good, t is consumed without any consideration because it is providing pleasure and fits into the idea that one should live to eat. However, these foods slice off years from the life and reduce vitality and alertness. Therefore, do not live to eat food but eat food to live.