As we continue looking at the acronym BLESS as a guide to healthy eating, today we will look at the first “S” which refers to eat SLOWLY. There are several rationales why this is a good idea for you and your care recipient.

First, let’s look at eating slowly for safety. Think about these phrases often associated with today’s fast-paced meals: “he scarfed down his breakfast;” “let’s wolf down a burger before the game;” or “I only have time to eat on the run.”

Choking and other swallowing difficulties are often the result of eating too quickly or neglecting to chew food thoroughly. Consuming food and drink should always occur at a slow pace, especially if your loved one has a disorder such as Parkinson’s disease or dementia. It is not a good idea to admonish anyone to “hurry and eat.” Develop the habit of putting the fork down between bites, whether you are feeding yourself or your loved one. If someone requires a caregiver, he probably also needs someone to observe while he is eating and be available to assist if a swallowing problem does occur.

Second, we should eat slowly to let our brain signals catch up with our stomach contents. As I mentioned in the previous column regarding eating LESS, it takes the brain approximately 20 minutes to alert you that your hunger has been satisfied. Indulging in second helpings before that time will likely result in that uncomfortable, stuffed feeling – which means you have exceeded the feed limit.

A third reason for eating slowly is to make a meal a pleasant dining experience. When was the last time you actually set the table with your good china; or turned off the television and played a little mood music; or placed a vase of fresh flowers and lit candles in the center of the table? Why not?

Randy and I usually celebrate our wedding anniversaries by driving to the mountains, but last year we had several home improvement projects we were itching to complete, so we had a “staycation” instead. We ate a couple of meals out, but the ones I enjoyed most were those composed of simple fare and eaten leisurely on the screen porch where we relished the pleasant spring breezes and admired the rosy pink and azure sunsets suspended above the golden fields. (I continue to be inspired by those memories!)

If your loved one is home-bound, you can make her day by creating a gracious ambiance for dining. If at all possible, sit down and eat together as a family instead of feeding the one you care for separately in her room. It is best to keep the conversation at a minimum while actually eating to prevent swallowing mishaps, but by all means, linger longer and laugh and talk together after the meal. Enjoy this time together.

Next – eat SIMPLY SMART