These days, there are many things that we can soundproof, including our homes and appliances.
However, sometimes we need to look at ourselves and see how we can chime down the audible sounds that we cause.
Here we’ve come up with a few techniques to help you eat quietly, especially when in the company of others.Â
If you or others around you are sensitive to the noise caused when you eat, you need to learn how to chew quietly then here are nine methods to help you and others around you enjoy a quiet meal:
1. Keep Your Mouth Closed
While this is an important table manner you were no doubt taught as a child, it can sometimes be difficult to keep your mouth fully closed as you munch down on a delicious meal.
But if you’re serious about learning how to chew quietly, this is the first step and the most critical one.
Whenever you take a bite, this is your cue to keep the gate shut. Don’t talk, take a sip of water, or talk while you’re chewing.
Ensure your mouth stays shut, and your lips stay sealed whenever there’s food in there and let your jaw do the work.
2. Chew Slowly
You’ve likely observed that most loud eaters will eat really fast.
This is fine if you’re on your own at home and feeling ravenous after a long day at work. But in the company of others, chewing your food slowly has many benefits.
Eating slowly will greatly reduce the amount of noise you make as you chew, plus it will help with digestion and lower the chances of overeating as your brain signals that you are full before you can scoff the entire meal.
It also gives you more of a chance to experience the food and to taste every bite.Â
Chew each bite around 30 times to get the most benefits and aid your digestion.
Focus on the number of bites you take, as this will make you more aware of the speed you chew at and any noises you make while chewing.Â
3. Eat Smaller Bites
With eating slowly comes eating smaller bites.
Giving yourself bite-sized portions makes keeping your mouth closed and chewing more manageable, and allows you to take your time when eating.Â
Cut your portions up into small pieces and eat each one slowly.
This prevents your mouth from needing to open wide to chew, and you can move it around your mouth to experience each bite to savor the flavors and textures.
You may find that you feel full quicker than when you eat large bites quickly, which is another great benefit if you tend to overeat.
If you’re looking to lose weight, this technique is key.
4. Be Mindful
A lot of the time, being mindful when you eat is the main way how to chew quietly.
When you’ve had a long day, and you’re really hungry, it’s easy to forget and stuff your face with food at the first chance you get—no matter who’s around.Â
Make mealtime a mindful experience and focus on the food as you eat it.
Try not to think about anything else apart from eating because if you start watching TV, scrolling through your phone, or chatting to your friends, you may start stuffing the food in and eating loudly without even thinking about it.
5. Remove Noise
On the same note as being mindful, noise is a big distraction during mealtime.
Whether it’s music, background noise in a busy restaurant, or conversation at the table, noise can take your focus off your food and your mind away from chewing quietly.
Although it’s hard to eat in silence on some occasions, try your best to avoid loud sounds around you or shut it out as you eat.Â
6. Swallow Before You Bite Again
We get it, your meal is delicious, and you can’t wait to take the next bite.
Even if you’re trying to eat slowly and in small portions, if you take another bite before you’ve swallowed the first one, it can cause all sorts of sounds.
Make sure to finish everything that’s in your mouth before you go to take another bite to ensure you chew quietly.Â
7. Eat Less Crunchy Food
Crispy foods and snacks happen to be crunchier than softer items and make more noise when you chew them.
While you won’t want to stop crunchy food altogether, you may want to avoid them as much as possible when in the company of others.
Alternatively, you could try cutting them into tiny bite-size pieces.
Crunchy foods include things like raw carrots, celery, chips, nuts, crackers, chips and apples.
8. Close Your Eyes
While you can’t sit for an entire meal with your eyes closed, give it a try when you take a bite and chew.
As you cut out one sense, you make the others stronger.
Your sense of taste will give you more to experience, so you can focus on the food and your chewing without any other distractions.
9. Avoid Alcohol
Whether at home or at a social event, try as much as possible to avoid food before and during your meal.
As you may well know, alcohol can allow us to let loose and be unaware of how we’re acting, which can lead to loud eating.
Try to only drink alcohol after you’ve eaten your meal, or at least take small sips throughout the meal to avoid it taking over your senses and allow you to focus on the food as you eat it.
Don’t Bite Off More Than You Can Chew
None of us intentionally eat loudly.
We may think it’s natural to chew the way we do, and people may be too polite to tell you you’re a noisy eater.
But in most cultures, there’s nothing more grotesque than someone who chews their food loudly—many people experience misophonia when it comes to this.
Whether you’re aware of being a noisy eater or not, it’s always a good idea to be aware of how you eat.
Take on board our tips above on how to chew quietly and you’ll no doubt see a big difference in how you approach mealtimes.
Not only does keeping your mouth closed, eating slower and smaller portions, and being mindful when you eat help you eat without sounds, it also helps you to enjoy your food more and savor every bite.Â
We can all train ourselves to eat quietly so nobody has to ruin the next meal.Â
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