I asked my gf last night: "So if you can experience the flavors, why bother eating at all?" She said that the real thing is more intense, and also leaves an aftertaste (is that an English word?).
My sensations don't go beyond strong cravings, alas (ETA: meaning: a void that needs to be filled up). But when I do eat, I do enjoy it intensely, no wolfing away for me. In fact, it is since this gf that I notice I 'silently' enjoy food and drink, because I constantly go like "hmmmm" and "yummmmm" all the time, which amuses her to no end.