The praise of slowness
In Italy, eating is never something you do between two appointments. It is a sacred time, a particular 'tempo' which requires us to really stop. We sit, we talk, we share a glass of wine, we look others in the eyes. Italian slowness is not a mark of laziness or weakness; it is an ancient wisdom that recognizes that the body needs time to receive nourishment. Eating slowly gives life the space it needs to express itself fully.
This slow pace radically changes our relationship with the plate. We no longer 'consume' calories, we 'live' a sensory experience. Every bite is tasted, every texture is explored, every aroma is welcomed. This attention to the act of eating is the first step towards conscious health. By slowing down the tempo, we exit automatic mode and enter presence mode. The table then becomes a place of regeneration, both for the body and for the mind.
Shadow work
From a purely biological point of view, slowness is our digestion's best ally. By taking the time to chew well and savor, we initiate the digestive process in the mouth. Gastric juices are prepared, satiety hormones begin to circulate, and the nervous system switches to 'rest and digest' mode. Everything then works smoothly and harmoniously. Slowness helps avoid bloating, heaviness and discomfort that often follow hastily eaten meals.
It is shadow work, silent but essential. When we eat quickly, we force the body to process a mass of information and nutrients abruptly, which creates metabolic stress. By slowing down, we give our metabolism the opportunity to do its job with precision and elegance. Digestion is no longer an exhausting chore, but a natural and effective process. Slowness is the courtesy we owe to our internal organs.
Regulation by time
One of the most surprising benefits of slowing down is that it leads us to eat less, quite naturally. It takes about twenty minutes for the satiety signal to reach the brain. If you eat your meal in ten minutes, you'll be finished before your body can tell you it's satisfied. By eating slowly, you give this signal time to manifest. You stop eating not out of voluntary restriction, but because your body tells you: 'That's enough, I'm satisfied'.
This natural regulation is the key to stable weight and constant energy. We no longer fight against our desires, we listen to them. We rediscover the sensation of fullness, the one that leaves us light and satisfied. Slowness gives us back power over our instincts, freeing us from food compulsion. It is a form of freedom that only patience can offer. Eating right means, above all, eating at the right pace.
The embodied presence
An Italian table often means little food on the plate, but a whole table of presence. We prioritize the quality of the exchange over the quantity of food. This social dimension reinforces the metabolic benefits of the meal. Laughter, conversation and affection stimulate the production of oxytocin, which promotes proper assimilation of nutrients. Tempo Italiano is therefore a global approach to health, where pleasure and biology become one.
At 42, I savor these slow moments like treasures. I refuse to sacrifice my meal on the altar of productivity. I know that these thirty or forty minutes spent at the table are my best investment for the rest of the day. Slowness makes me stronger, clearer and more serene. It is wisdom embodied in the flesh, an inheritance that I fervently protect. Life is too beautiful to be devoured without being tasted.
The rhythm of life
Adopting the Italian tempo means choosing to respect your body and enhance your pleasure with each meal.
I invite you to slow down. Put down your cutlery between each bite, breathe, talk, savor. No longer see the time spent at the table as wasted time, but as time saved from fatigue and illness. Let your digestion take place in peace and clarity. You will see that slowness is the highest form of efficiency. The table is set, take your time. ¡Buon appetito e viva la lentzza!
