In our fast-forward culture, we have lost the art of eating well. Food is often little more than fuel to pour down the hatch while doing other stuff - surfing the Web, driving, walking along the street. Dining al desko is now the norm in many workplaces. All of this speed takes a toll. Obesity, eating disorders and poor nutrition are rife.

The quote "In our fast-forward culture, we have lost the art of eating well. Food is often little more than fuel to pour down the hatch while doing other stuff – surfing the Web, driving, walking along the street. Dining al desko is now the norm in many workplaces. All of this speed takes a toll. Obesity, eating disorders and poor nutrition are rife." by Carl Honoré is a critique of modern society’s speed-obsessed lifestyle and its impact on eating habits and health. Honoré, a Canadian journalist and the author of In Praise of Slow, is known for advocating the Slow Movement, which encourages people to embrace mindfulness, quality, and balance in daily life.

By calling ours a "fast-forward culture," Honoré refers to a world that prioritizes efficiency, multitasking, and constant activity over presence and deliberation. He laments how food, once a cornerstone of community, ritual, and pleasure, has been reduced to mere fuel—something we consume mindlessly while distracted by screens or on the move. The phrase "dining al desko" (eating meals at one’s desk) encapsulates this trend, showing how even workplace meals have lost their traditional social and restorative value.

Honoré argues that this high-speed approach to eating is not without consequences. He links it to rising rates of obesity, eating disorders, and poor nutrition, conditions that stem not only from what we eat, but from how we eat. By eating too quickly or while distracted, people often ignore natural hunger cues, overeat, or choose convenience over nourishment. This contributes to a disconnect between our bodies, food, and health.

In essence, this quote is a call to slow down and reclaim the art of eating well. Honoré encourages a return to intentional dining, where meals are enjoyed thoughtfully, preferably with others, and with attention to both flavor and nutrition. His message aligns with the broader goals of the Slow Food movement, reminding us that how we eat is just as important as what we eat—and that speed can come at the cost of well-being.