This post is sponsored by The Laughing Cow® and features a fun giveaway that I assembled myself that I hope you guys will love! I am an official brand advocate for The Laughing Cow® in 2014 and while I receive compensation for participation, opinions are my own. I hope you enjoy this post and thanks so much for your support!
If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you likely already know that I consider myself a very fast eater. (Remember this blog post when I talked about some of the methods Ryan and I use to try to prolong our dinner dates!?) Slowing down and savoring my food takes effort on my part. I’ve always been a really fast eater and for as long as I can remember, I’ve been one of the first people to clear my plate in almost any social setting.
When The Laughing Cow® reached out to me about their new initiative that centers around savoring snack time, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. I know I personally could stand to slow down and enjoy my food a little more and this seemed like a good push to brainstorm ways to make myself take a moment and enjoy what I’m eating.
Below you will find some tips and tricks I’ve been trying to practice during snack and meal times to help me appreciate what I’m eating and actually experience food rather than just inhaling it all the time. I’ve also featured some food pairings with The Laughing Cow Cheeses to give you some snack time inspiration!
Simple Tips for Savoring Snack Time
- Step Away from Electronic Distractions
All too often I’ll eat when I’m working at the computer and look up and think to myself, “I don’t even remember tasting that meal!” What a shame! I never watch TV during the day, but I am on the computer all the time. I also check my phone a lot since I use it to respond to emails, blog comments and other work-related tasks. By stepping away from electronic distractions, I feel much more in the moment and this makes me concentrate on tasting and savoring my snacks and meals.
Crisp Apple Slices + Roasted Almonds + The Laughing Cow Light Swiss Cheese Wedges
- Place My Fork Down In Between Bites
This is a tip I read in a magazine years ago that really does work. I tend to shovel food in my mouth a little too quickly, and taking the time to put down my fork or spoon in between bites extends mealtime a little bit and allows me to think more about what I’m eating and enjoy it.
Cucumber Slices + The Laughing Cow Creamy Swiss Garlic & Herb Cheese Wedges + Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- Enjoy A Snack with a Mug of Hot Tea
This is something I tend to do at breakfast time that makes my morning meal last a little longer, so I tried extending it to snack time and it really does help! If I fix myself an afternoon snack and a hot cup of tea, I’m much more likely to sit down and enjoy my snack rather than grabbing it and stuffing it into my mouth while I’m on the go. Which leads me to my next bullet point…
Gluten-Free Almond Crackers + Ham Pinwheels + The Laughing Cow Creamy White Cheddar Cheese Wedges + Cracked Pepper
- Sit Down
I am the queen of eating at the kitchen counter. When I make myself grab a plate or a bowl and take my snack to the table, it seems to send a message to my brain that this is a time I need to chill out and enjoy what I’m eating rather than eat something as fast as possible before it’s onto the next thing.
Fresh Strawberries + Pretzel Crisps + The Laughing Cow Creamy Light Swiss Cheese Wedges
- Break the Routine
I tend to eat the same snacks over and over again until I get sick of them and discover something new. When I take the time to get a little creative in the kitchen and try something new, I find that I’m a lot more likely to notice and enjoy what I am eating.
And now it’s giveaway time!
I have personally assembled a giveaway worth $300 for one PBF reader to win! I tried to select items to help you kick back and relax a bit so you can thoroughly savor your meals and snacks!
This giveaway includes:
- $100 lululemon gift card – For you to pick up some super cute, comfy lounge-worthy apparel that you can also wear in public
- Cable knit throw from Pottery Barn – To curl up with while you enjoy a delicious snack this winter
- Le Creuset tea kettle (color of your choice) – To brew a hot beverage to sip while you eat
- Anthropologie mug with your initial – So you can sip your tea in style
- Snack Time Kit from The Laughing Cow
To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment below telling me about one of the tricks you use to encourage yourself to slow down and savor your food or tell me about your favorite snack!
I will randomly select a winner on Friday.
Good luck!
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I am so guilty of eating in front of electronics. I am eating my lunch while reading this post! One technique I do use, especially when eating dessert, is to close my eyes while I eat. It forces me to focus on the taste of the delicious chocolate, and why wouldn’t I want to do that?!?
My favorite snack is apple slices with peanut butter and cinnamon!
One of my favorite snacks is dried fruit. I can’t eat too much or it gives me an over the top sugar rush which I regret later. Dried pineapple is easily the best!
When I snack, I definitely try to take my time and enjoy the experience. I’ve found flipping my fork upside down to eat helps. When you’re not able to scoop food onto a fork, you definitely eat at a slower pace!
I love rice cakes tipped with guacamole – yum!
I love to sit down with a snack and browse the Athleta catalog…and dream of what I would love to buy. 🙂
Awesome giveaway!! I do the tea trick all the time. I also try to eat meals with someone and talk while we eat because I can’t be stuffing food in my mouth while talking 🙂 doesn’t work for snacks most of the time though so the tea is a great option… Healthy as well 🙂
My favorite healthy snack is pretzels and laughing cow cheese actually…not sucking up I promise 🙂
My husband loves those cheeses we always have them in our fridge! As for me (and my toddler) the go to snack is apples and peanut butter. So simple yet so delicious!
I love rice cakes with hummus or peanut butter! Yummy and healthy!
I usually eat so fast that I tire myself out! Lately I’ve been on a Carrots and Hot Sauce kick, don’t ask, just try.
Get the kind of hot sauce that makes your eyes water, it’ll slow your snacking down for sure!
My favorite snack is a smoothie with frozen fruit, Greek yogurt and spinach.
I’m so guilty of eating too fast! My husband and I try to focus on having a conversation and catch up on our day to help us slow down our quick eating! (No one wants to talk with their mouth full!). It helps a lot when we put the focus on that.
Great giveaway! I’m also a fast eater and find that putting my electronic devices away during meal time/snack time helps me to savor the moment and enjoy the meal. My favorite snack lately has been tortilla chips, veggies, and Trader Joe’s three layer hummus. That stuff is SO good.
It’s been really hard for
Me lately as I just had twins. It is so
Important though. I need to make that a goal.
I like to make a snack plate with lots of small bites of different things. The different tastes and small portions help me slow down and actually taste what I’m eating.
I am a huge proponent of just setting aside at least 5 minutes of meal time at lunch, even if I am busy. It help!
I love hummus! I will literally eat it on anything. Pretty much a perfect food 🙂
I’m really into hummus and veggies or pretzels as a quick snack!
I try to use all of your tricks you listed above! I am also a quick eater, fan of eating at the counter, in front of the computer, tv, etc. and next thing you know I’ve eaten an entire meal and them some, instead of a little ol snack! 🙂
I echo your suggestion to sitting down and also avoiding tv/technology. Sometimes it’s hard! My husband and I like to sit on our back porch with a drink and a snack and enjoy nice weather while chatting about life. It’s one of our favorite evening activities!
I’ve been on a cottage cheese kick lately so my go to snack has been a couple of slices of turkey rolled up with a spoonful of cottage cheese in the middle. Delish.
I have finally stopped eating while standing in front of the open pantry. Although I’d like to believe that calories consumed while staring into the pantry don’t count, I know that they really do…
My fave snack is a Choc. chip cookie dough quest bar that I put in the microwave for 30 seconds. So delish!! I honestly am a slow eater and I REEEEALLY appreciate a good meal so I always take time to take in what I’m eating 🙂
My favorite snack is yogurt. I find that if I pour the yogurt into a bowl rather than eating from the container I will eat it at a much slower pace. Topped with homemade granola is the best way to enjoy it!
I eat ridiculously fast. I try to drink water with my meals to help. To put the utensil down. To take a turn in the conversation.
One of the tricks my mom taught me was to sip water between bites of food. It allows me to slow down and also prevents me from over eating (instead of shoving the whole plate into my mouth at once).
Waffle w pb and sliced apple
My favorite snack is carrots and hummus!
I love to eat in front of the TV, but have realized that I SCARF my meals when I’m distracted by my favorite shows! So I’m making myself (and my husband!) slow down our eating by using our dining room table as a meal place, which doubles as a great way to catch up and unwind from the day.
I always try to slow my snacks down by using real dishes and sitting at the table. Using a fork to eat a brownie or putting crackers in a bowl makes me slow down and enjoy the snack more.
I drink a sip of water with almost every bite. It slows me down and also keeps me hydrated.
So nice of you to do a personal giveaway, Julie! I am also a very fast eater, and I find having a glass of water with any meal or snack helps me slow down, if I sip it between bites. (I also sometimes make a snack to procrastinate on studying, so the longer it takes me to eat the snack, the longer my study break will be 🙂 )
Still struggling!!! I try to drink more water before meals, at least this lessens the likelihood of over-eating.
If I am eating alone, I will usually be eating while reading a book- and that really helps me to slow down! I need two hands to hold the book/turn the page, so it requires that I start eating and focus on the reading.
Such great tips! I find that if I take the time to make myself a special snack such as a bowl of yogurt with granola as opposed to something quick thoughtless like a handful of cereal, I am more mindful of what I’m eating and take the time to savor it. And food, even just a little snack, is definitely something to be savored 🙂
Great post! I definitely remind my boyfriend to put his fork down between bites from time to time – that’s a key rule for slowing down. For myself, I really focus on chewing and foods that require a lot of chewing. I enjoy my food more when I’m actually tasting the flavor rather than gobbling down. Taking a few extra chews really helps!
my favorite snacks are probably feta cheese with celery, or an apple with string cheese. They take me a while to eat, so it naturally slows me down!
Ugh, I’m so bad about slowing down to savor food during the day! Most time I eat lunch at my desk during work (I’m bad I know). I’ve been loving apples and peanut butter as a snack recently, the apple are so good this time of year!
My favorite snack is a rice cake with Justin’s Vanilla Almond Butter!!!!
I would love to win this giveaway!! The snack I’m currently loving is rice cakes and peanut butter!
I always enjoy an afternoon snack with a mug of Hot Tea!! Need to get all h20 for the day!!
What an awesome giveaway! I love the idea of helping yourself slow down….whether it be eating a snack or day to day schedule. Breathe…..slip slowly…..little bites. With snacks, I sip hot water or tea and I use smaller utensils. Seriously, I kept all my kids ‘beginner forks and spoons’ and I’ll use those a lot!
The best trick for me to slow down while eating is to talk to someone. When we are both home, it is best for my boyfriend and I to chat while eating and when I’m at school, I try making lunch plans with my classmates or sometimes call my mom or a friend to chat. This makes the meal last longer and is more enjoyable 🙂 Since it isn’t much fun to hear someone munching on the end of the phone, best to not eating something really crunchy if you are calling someone!
I definitely try to avoid the electronics while I’m eating. I also like the idea of putting down my fork in between bites. Seems like a good trick to slow down!
I love rice cakes with peanut butter!
I’m a very fast eater too. I try to take a sip of water between bites as well as put my fork down to try and pace myself.
One of the tricks I use is to chew every bite, instead of swallowing the food. This way, you can taste all the flavors and enjoy.
I love pomegranates and the time it takes to peel them to eat slows down the snacking!
If I read a book or magazine while snacking, it tends to last a little longer! Especially if the book is good and it’s hard to peel my eyes away to look at food!