IU’s Strange Eating Trick That Helps Her Stay Slim

Why is chewing slowly and thoroughly considered effective for weight loss?

IU, the singer often praised for her slim figure, reportedly doesn't follow any extreme diets. Instead, she’s known for one thing: she chews her food thoroughly—so much so that it almost turns into liquid before she swallows.

But this habit goes beyond just mindful eating—it directly affects how our metabolism works.

Fullness Takes Time

Let’s look at how chewing slowly impacts feelings of fullness. Two key hormones are involved in hunger and satiety: ghrelin (which stimulates appetite) and leptin (which signals fullness). It takes about 20 minutes for leptin to reach the brain after eating begins. If you eat too quickly, your brain doesn’t get the message in time and you end up overeating. On the other hand, eating slowly gives leptin enough time to do its job—leading you to feel full with less food.

It Actually Burns Calories

Believe it or not, chewing longer also burns more calories. A study from Japan found that even when people consumed the same amount of food, those who chewed more burned more energy. The act of chewing activates the jaw muscles and promotes better digestion, reducing the load on your digestive organs and improving overall metabolic efficiency—contributing positively to weight management.

Better Digestion Starts in the Mouth

Digestion begins in the mouth. Chewing breaks down food and mixes it with saliva, preparing it for smooth processing in the stomach and intestines. Swallowing food without properly chewing it puts extra stress on your digestive system and can lead to indigestion, bloating, or even weight gain. Research shows that slow eaters generally enjoy better digestion and gut health.

Enhanced Taste, Less Snacking

Chewing slowly also enhances your sense of taste. Eating quickly dulls your ability to savor textures and flavors, often pushing you to seek out more stimulating (and often less healthy) foods. In contrast, eating slowly increases satisfaction with smaller portions and helps curb the urge to snack between meals—ultimately reducing your overall calorie intake.

Blood Sugar Control Matters Too

Fast eating can cause rapid blood sugar spikes, triggering a surge of insulin—the hormone that encourages fat storage. Over time, this pattern can lead to increased body fat and impaired glucose metabolism. Eating slowly, however, helps keep blood sugar levels steady and insulin release more balanced, lowering the risk of weight gain and metabolic issues.

Simple Habits, Big Impact

The best part? Eating slowly is an easy habit to build. You don’t need to drastically change your diet or carve out extra time like you would for exercise. Just chew each bite a few more times and set your spoon or chopsticks down between bites. That’s enough to kickstart real change.

Gaining weight isn’t only about how much you eat—it’s also about how you eat. Chewing slowly and thoroughly may be the simplest path not just to weight loss, but to a healthier relationship with food overall. Changing your approach to just one meal can shift your body’s balance and, over time, lead to lasting results.

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