Heres why thats a good thing.
Design elements: Getty Images.
Key Takeaways
If you tend to be a speed-eater, its not your fault.
Photo:Design elements: Getty Images. EatingWell design.
From the time were schoolkids, were given only so much time to eatand usually not enough.
But could eating quickly affect our health?
There is evidence that what scientists refer to as abnormal eating behavior is associated with obesity.
They published their findings in March 2025 inNutrients.Lets break down their findings.
How Was This Study Conducted?
Their ages ranged from 20 to 65, with the average age being 37.
Participants had no underlying medical conditions.
BMI was also calculated.
Meal duration was measured with a stopwatch.
Participants wore headphones to reduce distractions throughout the experiment, which was done in stages.
What Did This Study Show?
Like all studies, this one has some limitations worth keeping in mind.
Randomized controlled trials are known as the gold standard in research, and they tend to be more accurate.
How Does This Apply to Real Life?
Previous studies have also shown a connection between speed of eating, meal duration and amount of food eaten.
If music with lyrics is distracting for you, choose spa-like music with just instrumentals.
Tempo and music arent the only strategies for slowing down your eating speed, though.
Want to have dinner ready for when everyone gets home?
Then you might want to try one of ourhigh-protein slow-cooker dinners.
These factors have been linked with eating less.
When you might, take a stab at make dinnertime relaxing.
Turn off your devices, put on some tunes and take your time.
Martinez-Lopez M, Lopez-Gil J.Meal duration and obesity-related indicators among adolescents: insights from the EHDLA study.Nutrients.
2025;17(6):962.doi:10.3390/nu17060962
Migliavada R, Luceri F, Torri L.Chew that beat!
How music tempo influences eating behaviors and emotions.Food Qual.
2024;132(4):535546. doi:10.1017/S0007114524001478
