Wolfing down lunch in ten minutes between errands or before your toddler wakes up seems unavoidable sometimes. But as busy as you are, it's better to take your time when eating. Speeding through meals can lead to overeating, since it takes 20 minutes for your brain to recognize you're full. You're also at greater risk for heartburn and indigestion.

To eat more slowly, put down your fork or sip some water in between bites, says Ann Yelmokas McDermott, Ph.D., a nutritionist at Tufts University Human Nutrition Research Center, in Boston. Take the time to savor the flaor. And when possible, eat at a table, rather than in front of a TV or on the go, so you're not distracted.

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