Food for thought: Am I chewing properly?

When a friend returned from Lancerhof, one of Europe’s most popular health resorts, I forced her to tell me all about a delicious vegan meal at abcV. He spoke of magnificent walks in ancient cities and meditative sauna sessions, and of one surprising habit he brought home as a souvenir: chewing each bite of food more than 30 times. He did this throughout our meal, chewing, chewing, chewing every bite of the cup of lettuce, turmeric cauliflower, and market beets. Prepared for a long dinner.

If you think Lancerhofs chewing rule sounds extreme, look at the science. There are studies behind the law of super chewing: Over-processing food orally, or chewing too much, breaks down food both physically and chemically (your saliva has enzymes that break it down before it reaches the stomach you start this process) and lead to better digestion. A stronger oral immune system, reduced food intake and greater satisfaction with your meal in the long run. In Ayurveda, complete chewing is the complete digestion of food from the mouth to the stomach.

Out of curiosity, I immediately started counting my chews in each bite. A kosher pickle: two. Springbone’s Mediterranean Chicken Bowl: Three to five. Spinach salad: two again. Annie’s Gluten-Free Mac & Cheese: Zero. (Wait, did I just swallow that pasta whole? Yes, I did). Instead, I ate like a snake, devouring everything on my plate in as few bites as possible.

During our weekly staff meeting, I brought up this observation and mentioned that I was considering a major overhaul in my eating style. Mark Guiducci, VogueThe creative editorial director and genius behind Vogue World noted that he too had visited Lancerhof and learned something about himself while counting his chews.

She told me that the practice made me more aware of what I was consuming, perhaps even more grateful for it. I’m certainly more aware that a meal is actually more than just having a conversation or reading news about eating.

Michael J. He, a Manhattan dentist, DDS, not only agrees with Lanserhofs advice, but even integrates it. He says the recommended amount of chewing for optimal digestion and oral health is 30 to 50 times per bite, depending on the type and texture of the food. The thicker or firmer the food (for example, a steak or something more fibrous), the more time you should spend in your mouth. Although, he adds, proper technique is key to protecting your teeth. Doing it incorrectly can cause teeth wear, pain and tension in the jaw, affect the facial muscles and even lead to digestive problems.