30 Drawbacks Of Eating Food Too Fast

Eating fast causes overeating

Image Source/ Reddit

You might’ve guessed this one, but overeating is linked to eating in a hurry! When you eat too fast, your body doesn't have time to send the signal that it's full, so you end up eating more than you need. And with that being said, eating fast also causes…

Weight gain

Image Source/ Reddit

Yep, you guessed it. Leading on from the previous point, consistently eating at a fast pace is very likely to lead to bad habits. Keeping it up at this pace can lead to all sorts of issues further down the line, including obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

An uncomfortable tummy

Image Source/ Reddit

This is similarly linked to the above two, but eating quickly can really cause all sorts of issues. Some of the issues you might experience are uncomfortable gas, bloating, and indigestion. These problems can have an impact on both your physical and mental health.

A poor digestive system

Image Source/ Reddit

Did you know that your saliva contains helpful enzymes that start the digestive process straight from the mouth? That’s why chewing meals properly is recommended (not just because of the choking hazard, which we’ll get into later). Eating rapidly might prevent you from properly chewing your meal, which can slow your digestion.

It can affect your nutrition

Image Source/ Reddit

The digestive system is so important in order to get the most out of the food you eat. Eating too quickly might impact the amount of time your body has to absorb nutrients from food, which can lead to shortages in vitamins, minerals and other kinds of nutrients.

Choking hazard

Image Source/ Outlook India

Yep, you guessed it (well, I kinda gave it away earlier). If you eat too quickly, which usually means you’re not chewing your food very well, you run the danger of choking. Choking can be especially dangerous if there’s no one around to help you unblock it.

Acid reflux and heartburn

Image Source/ Reddit

This one has more to do with overeating, which we discussed earlier, and happens often when people eat too quickly. This can commonly cause acid reflux, which is when stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus, causing heartburn. If you’re a quick eater, stock up on Gaviscon.

Gastric problems

Image Source/ AMBOSS

Eating too fast on a regular basis has been linked to the development of gastric problems including gastritis and stomach ulcers. More often than not, these conditions can be especially painful and it may be that you need to seek medical attention to get rid of them.

Problems with your teeth

Image Source/ Northern Dental Design

Did you know that good chewing habits are super important for both your digestive and dental health. When you eat too quickly, your saliva doesn't have enough time to neutralize acids and protect your teeth, which may lead to cavities and gum disease.

Imbalances in blood sugar

Image Source/ Reddit

Rapid increases in blood sugar after eating a lot of simple carbs can be a dramatic consequence of eating far too quickly! People with diabetes or at risk for developing diabetes may struggle with these fluctuations, so definitely should be wary when it comes to their eating.

An increase in insulin

Image Source/ Reddit

Following the above where blood sugars can spike unnecessarily, the reaction to a sharp increase in blood sugar is the body pumping out more insulin than you really need. This may eventually result in insulin resistance, which is a step towards developing type 2 diabetes.

A lack of enjoyment of your meal

Image Source/ Reddit

We’ve all done it before when we’ve cooked a delicious meal and ate it FAR too quickly to enjoy it. When you shovel your food down way too quickly, you miss out on the food's tastes and sensations, leading to a subpar eating experience (which we all look forward to!).

A lack of awareness when it comes to what you’re eating

Image Source/ Reddit

When you eat quickly, you don't pay as much attention to what you're taking in, that’s a fact. A big part of the eating experience is the appreciation of the ingredients, preparation, and nutritional value. Also, we won’t stop to consider whether we’re doing the right thing by eating something a little bit naughty.

Poor portion control

Image Source/ Reddit

When you eat quickly, it’s often hard to know how much food to serve yourself, so you end up eating more than you need and adding to your calorie intake. It’s a slippery slope, and we all can find it hard at times to portion our food properly, so we should really be aware of how quickly we’re eating.

A slower metabolism

Image Source/ Reddit

Shovelling your food down like it’s your last meal on Earth may have less-than-favorable effects on your metabolic rate, making it more challenging to maintain or lose weight healthily. Bear this in mind the next time you’re trying to diet, as it may really impact how much weight you lose!

Making unhealthy food choices

Image Source/ Reddit

We all love a convenient meal when we know we’re going to be in a rush, despite the fact that they tend to be higher in calories, sugar, and bad fats. If we continue to make these decisions, we might succumb to some issues later down the line, including obesity.

Emotional eating

Image Source/ Business Insider

Emotional causes for overeating can't be dealt with effectively when you’re eating your meal too fast. Fast eating might make it more likely that someone will use food to deal with their feelings of stress or sadness, and won’t give them time to reflect on their actions.

A number of health conditions

Image Source/ Reddit

Heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes are just a few of the many diseases and disorders that can be caused by obesity. Eating too quickly doesn’t leave you time to decide whether the foods you are eating are good choices and may raise your risk of getting these conditions since it leads to chronic overeating.

Struggle to identify allergies

Image Source/ Reddit

When people eat their food too quick, it may make it more difficult to identify foods that trigger allergic responses. Allergies can actually develop at any point in your life, and if you believe that you’re having allergic reactions to some foods, you’ll never be able to identify it.

Hormonal imbalances

Image Source/ Buzzfeed

It’s hard not to eat too quickly, especially when you’re starving and you’ve been waiting for your dinner all day! Yet, I bet you didn’t know that eating too quickly might influence hunger and fullness hormones, making it more difficult to control food consumption.

Decrease in satisfaction

Image Source/ Reddit

If you eat too fast, the likelihood is that you might not feel completely full afterwards. Because you don’t feel necessarily full, it increases the chances of additional snacking in between meals, which can then lead to a higher calorie intake and weight gain.

An increase in stress levels

Image Source/ Reddit

Did you know that eating in a hurry is detrimental to your stress levels? Not many people realize that meal times should be opportunities for relaxation and nourishment, which is why regular mealtimes are suggested. When eating fast, it can contribute to your stress levels.

Feeling nauseous

Image Source/ Reddit

When people get super hungry (I know we’ve all been there), they tend to eat as much as they can in as quick a time as possible. This doesn’t even have to be a meal, but a multitude of snacks that really don’t go together. Well, the combinations of these foods are often what make people feel sick.

Reduced taste

Image Source/ Reddit

Listen, whoever said they got to fully enjoy the tastes and textures of their meal when eating rapidly is lying. It’s a basic fact that eating too quickly prevents you from savoring the taste of the food you eat. I’m pretty sure the chef won’t like that!

Poor digestion of fats

Image Source/ Reddit

Listen, if you don’t wanna start storing them unhealthy fats in your food, then take note. Eating speedily can prevent the breakdown of lipids in food, which causes gastrointestinal distress and prevents the body from absorbing fat-soluble vitamins including A, D, E, and K.

Food waste

Image Source/ Reddit

If we’ve learned anything from Greta Thunberg, it’s that we need to start looking after our planet and the people in it. The bad thing is, when you’re eating your food too quickly, it’s easy to overeat. Along with this, overeating means you’re eating more than you technically need to, which is wasting food.

Poor social etiquette

Image Source/ Reddit

It’s nice to sit down to have dinner with someone and hold a conversation. Although it’s also hard to have meaningful conversations with others around when you’re scoffing your face. The simple act of sitting down to a meal with those you care about is important when it comes to strengthening your bonds with them.

Decreased energy

Image Source/ Reddit

Do you ever wonder why you’re feeling so tired after a big meal that you’ve just inhaled in 0.5 seconds? Well, when you eat too quickly, your body may have trouble converting the food you eat into usable energy, which can cause you to crash and feel tired.

Increases the costs of food

Image Source/ Reddit

As mentioned previously, eating fast leads to overeating, and we (for sure) by now understand the consequences of eating more than we actually need to. Well, the last consequence of this is: your bank balance. Overeating means that you technically don’t need as much food, and eating slower just might save you some money.

So take your time!

Image Source/ Reddit

Last but not least, if you care about your health, you need to practice mindful eating, which is taking your time and enjoying every meal. If you take your time eating, you might just avoid the health problems that come with wolfing down your food! Take note.