The benefits of lengthier mealtimes don’t end there; your body will reap more nutritional benefits from steadier eating habits.

“Taking longer over meals allows a moderate pace of eating,” says dietitian Ro Huntress. “This means food can be chewed thoroughly and allows time for your body to properly digest the food, helping with nutrient absorption.”

Eating too fast can also cause stomach issues. “Eating quickly can be a contributing factor to digestive complaints such as bloating,” says nutrition specialist Jessica Shand. “Eating at a slower pace allows us to be mindful of what we are eating and how it makes us feel, and improves digestion by not overburdening our digestive system with too much food in one go.”

And science agrees, with studies showing that eating a meal in less than five minutes can cause acid reflux, compared to taking half an hour.

Are you eating too fast? This is how long nutritionists recommend your meals should take