We’ve all been there; on a peaceful first date, sitting in a quiet library, or trying to eat covertly during a meeting. Suddenly, your crunchy snack sounds like a marching band. That’s why we produced this article on how to chew more quietly.
Loud chewing actually has a name when it triggers strong reactions in others – misophonia. Whether or not you are causing misophonia, chewing loudly can still feel socially awkward and personally embarrassing.
The good news is that learning to chew more quietly is entirely achievable with the right techniques and practice. That’s what we’ll teach you here. We’ll keep things short but sweet, keeping it to bullet points and easy takeaways.
Whether you’re naturally a loud chewer or simply want to be more considerate in quiet environments, read on.
Skip to:
- Why we chew loudly
- How to chew more quietly: The basics
- Manage your bites
- What you eat = how you chew?
- Quiet chewing final tips
Why we chew loudly
What determines chewing loudness? Consider these factors –
😬 Mouth positioning – is the primary culprit.
When we chew with our mouths open, even slightly, air gets trapped and released, creating those unmistakable smacking sounds. The tongue and jaw movements become audible, and food particles can create additional noise as they move around.
😬 Food texture – plays a significant role.
Crunchy foods like chips, crackers, and raw vegetables naturally produce more sound than soft foods. The cellular structure of these foods literally breaks apart, creating acoustic vibrations that travel through both air and bone conduction.
😬 Eating speed – affects noise levels too.
When we eat quickly, we’re more likely to chew with our mouths open, take larger bites, and use more aggressive jaw movements. Fast eating also prevents us from being mindful of the sounds we’re creating.
😬 Jaw muscle tension – can amplify chewing sounds.
When our facial muscles are tense, every movement becomes more pronounced and forceful, leading to louder eating.
How to chew more quietly: The basics
The most crucial element in how to chew more quietly is mastering proper mouth mechanics. Think of your mouth as a closed system where all the action happens internally:
👉 Keep your lips sealed throughout the entire chewing process.
This might feel unnatural at first. Especially if you’re used to slightly parted lips while eating. Practice by placing a small piece of soft food in your mouth and consciously keeping your lips together as you chew. The seal doesn’t need to be tight – just closed enough to prevent air from escaping.
👉 Use your back teeth for the majority of your chewing.
Your molars are designed for grinding and are much more efficient than your front teeth. They’re also positioned deeper in your mouth, which naturally muffles sound. When you use your front teeth to bite through tough foods, quickly move the food to your molars for the actual chewing process.
👉 Develop a gentle jaw motion rather than aggressive chomping.
Think of your jaw movement as more of a grinding or rolling motion rather than a hard up-and-down bite. This technique is not only quieter but also better for your jaw joints and more effective at breaking down food.
👉 Control your tongue placement by keeping it relaxed.
Allow your tongue to naturally help move food around your mouth. An overly active tongue can create additional noise and interfere with efficient chewing.
Manage your bites
It’s not only chewing. It’s biting. Here is how you can help yourself to chew quietly before you even begin…
👉 Take smaller bites than you normally would.
Smaller portions of food are easier to manage quietly and require less jaw movement. They also allow you to keep better control over your mouth position throughout the chewing process. If you’re eating something particularly crunchy, consider breaking it into even smaller pieces with your hands before putting it in your mouth.
👉 Chew slowly and deliberately because rushed eating almost always equals noisy eating.
When you slow down, you naturally become more aware of your mouth position and the sounds you’re making. Aim to chew each bite 20-30 times before swallowing, which also aids digestion. Research has even found chewing food properly to be beneficial for the immune system.
👉 Pre-soften when possible for foods like crackers or chips
Let them sit in your mouth for a moment before chewing. Your saliva will begin to soften them, making them easier to break down quietly. This technique works particularly well with crispy snacks that might otherwise sound like firecrackers in your mouth.
What you eat = how you chew?
While you can’t always control what you’re eating, being strategic about food choices and preparation can make a significant difference.
🍴 Choose quieter alternatives when possible.
Soft breads instead of crusty rolls, cooked vegetables instead of raw ones, or smooth nut butters instead of chunky varieties. This doesn’t mean avoiding crunchy foods entirely, but being mindful of when and where you consume them.
🍴 Modify your preparation methods to make chewing easier.
Cut apples into thin slices rather than biting into whole pieces. Break crackers into smaller pieces before eating them. Steam vegetables until they’re tender rather than eating them completely raw. These small adjustments can dramatically reduce eating noise.
🍴Consider temperature, because temperature matters.
Room temperature or slightly warm foods are often easier to chew quietly than very cold or very hot items. Cold foods can cause involuntary mouth movements, while hot foods might cause you to eat with your mouth slightly open to cool them down.
Quiet chewing final tips
Here is some final food for thought (sorry, awful pun):
✅ Read the room and adjust your food choices based on the setting.
A quiet office meeting calls for different snack choices than a casual outdoor gathering. Keep quiet snacks like soft granola bars or bananas at your desk, and save the crunchy apple for your lunch break.
✅ Time your eating strategically
If you must eat crunchy foods in quiet environments, time them with natural noise cover – perhaps when there’s background conversation, air conditioning cycling, or other ambient sounds.
✅ Create your own sound buffer when possible.
In very quiet environments, having a drink nearby can help. Taking small sips between bites naturally provides breaks and can help mask any remaining chewing sounds.
✅ Breathing coordination plays a role in quiet eating.
Practice breathing through your nose while chewing, which helps maintain the closed-mouth position and prevents the gasping sounds that can occur when trying to breathe through a mouth full of food.
✅ Saliva management is often overlooked but important.
Adequate saliva helps break down food more efficiently and quietly. If you have a dry mouth, take small sips of water between bites or chew sugar-free gum before meals to stimulate saliva production.
