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 absolutely LOVE whole wheat toast with peanut butter topped with banana slices! Sooo good!!
I totally agree with the tip about staying away from electronics when eating! I often work through lunch (and eat while I work at my computer), and at home I almost always eat at my coffee table in front of the TV. When I force myself to leave the TV off or actually take a break from work to eat, I find that I feel so much more fulfilled after the meal!
Side note — I went to Florida last week and went to Publix for the first time. It is a great store! Being from Illinois, I was totally gawking over the produce section, which caused me to get a few funny looks from people. 🙂
I have always been a fast eater too! I have to put my fork down in between bites. I also use a trick when I’m eating with my fiancé and just try to eat at the pace he is eating at! It works every time.
The biggest thing I do is put my fork down in between bites. If I don’t it becomes like a shovel from plate to face. I also make an effort to drink more water. I used to be able to have entire meals without drinking anything. Now I can’t imagine a meal without consuming a glass or two of water.
Drinking water with my meals helps slow me down a ton. An always favorite snack is apple and peanut butter. Can’t go wrong with that!
A favorite snack of mine is vanilla greek yogurt with a tbs of nutella. So yummy!
I am big on putting my fork down while I eat! This also helps engage in conversation more if you’re eating with someone else. Also by taking frequent sips of my beverage.
Ugh — I am soooo guilty of this! When I’m out for dinner I try to consciously “break” for long periods of time to entirely ignore my plate and have conversation, rather than inhaling my food.
My favorite snack is raw, unsalted almonds and I have a sweet tooth for dark chocolate covered almonds too.
My favorite snack is an apple with cheddar cheese slices. Yum!
My favorite snack at the moment is topping rice cakes with peanut butter!
Talk to my family while I eat! Definitely a good way to slow down eating and enjoy mealtimes too.
To slow down I try to have water with my meals. I never thought about slowing down during snacks–I think I’m actually pretty slow naturally with snacks. I try to prolong the time between bites so that I have something do as a mini “brain-break” from computer work!
I try to completely chew every bite before swallowing!
Cheese and crackers, so simple yet so good!!
Ny favorite snack is apples with fresh ground cinnamon peanut butter, delish!
Eating at a table (instead of in front of the TV) and/or eating with friends. It’s much better to laugh/talk/catch up than to gobble through a meal.
I am also a ridiculously fast eater, and usually end up with a stomach ache. I have found that not letting myself get super hungry is key. One of my favorite pre-dinner snacks (while I cook) is veggies and hummus. Sitting down at the kitchen table and having a conversation with my family while I eat also helps slow me down.
My favorite snack is carrots and hummus!!! Yum!
Agree with turning off electronics! Having a conversation while eating helps too!
Favorite snack in the world is almond butter between two slices of banana. Always hits the spot!
Julie – Absolutely love all your “slow down” ideas! I personally enjoy sitting down and savoring food with hot tea – especially nowadays that the beautiful fall weather has finally come. 🙂 I enjoy Laughing Cow cheese on WASA crackers with turkey and tomato slices. Would love to win!
First thing’s first! I am so excited to try the cheesy broccoli quinoa recipe you shared with us recently! growing up I was always a big fan of the (instant) cheesy broccoli rice my mom would make as a side for dinner! I’m so looking forward to the ‘adult’ edition sometime soon!
I have also always been a very fast eater! I’m the put more in my mouth before I finish chewing my last bite kind of fast eater, so recently I’ve been attempting to slow my meals down by making a point to have swallowed my last bite before continuing with my meal. I know, I’m just as surprised I haven’t choked on my food yet, too!
ohhh i need help slowing down eating too. i’ve tried to put my fork down between bites and that probably works best … but i also zone out in front of the TV or at my desk at work when i eat, so the “no distractions” route would probably be good for me too.
I love apply slices with a pb yogurt dip! (mixing greek yogurt and peanut butter!)
I like drinking hot tea with my snacks. If I drink the tea slowly, I notice I eat more slowly as well. My favorite snack as of right now: cinnamon cream cheese (laughing cow!) and cinnamon nut-thins. SO yummy.
My favorite snack is sliced (and peeled) cucumbers with hummus!
My boyfriend and I are both nearing the end of PhD programs and we are so guilty of this sort of thing! When it’s time for dinner we just want to relax and often find ourselves in front of the tv. shoveling food into our mouths. We’ve been trying to fix this by sitting at the table and actually having a conversation during dinner. It makes us eat more slowly, reset and connect after a long day.
I love cheese and crackers. I never allow myself to eat on the go.
current favorite snack, while not too healthy, is pumpkin mochi from trader joe’s! sooo good!
One of my favorite snacks lately has been Angie’s Sweet and Spicy Kettlecorn! A little bit of heat to balance out the sweetnes- it’s delicious!
My favorite snack is currently peanut butter and peach butter atop a piece of buckwheat focaccia! Holy yum! Also, I find sitting down at the table away from technology helps me slow down my eating. This is a great post!
I am a wicked fast eater. I always clean my plate before my friends are halfway through with theirs.
I’ve been really digging apples right now. Sometimes I’ll eat them with a slice or two of cheddar cheese on top. Sounds crazy but it’s SO good.
In order to savor my food, I make sure I chew up each bight really good before swallowing. I love to savor each bight, because I thoroughly enjoy the taste of my food and want it to last as long as possible! Haha and my favorite snack is a banana with peanut butter & chocolate chips. So good!
My current favorite snack is raw sugar snap-peas!
Yogurt and chocolate are my favorite snacks!!
I love eating carrots and hummus. I think conversing over dinner helps me slow down and enjoy the food and company!
i like the putting electronics away suggestion! My favorite snack is banana and peanut butter or ice cream as a cheat!
I always eat wayyy fast too! Although I only really notice when I am having a meal with others?! Halfway through the meal with one of girlfriends, I always notice they have way more food then I do. I put my fork down and take a couple sips of water. I also sit back in my chair and try to really listen to what they are saying instead of shoveling the food in my mouth!
Drinking a hot mug of coffee or tall glass of water is my favorite way to slow down and feel more full after a snack. My favorite snack this time of year is a Honeycrisp apple! So fresh and sweet!
My favorite snack is Luna bars.
My favorite snack is totally home-made hummus with sweet red peppers and cucumbers!
I typically already have a cup of tea with my snack! My fave is having hot cinnamon tea with some kind of baked good. 🙂
I am the absolute opposite — always the LAST one to finish meals in any social setting. It’s almost embarrassing how slow I eat… I can’t keep up with any of my friends or family even if I try. My favorite snack is air popped popcorn with kettle corn seasoning! It’s the best way to end a busy day while watching some form of reality television 🙂
In order to help me slow down and savor my food I try to remove any distractions, that means putting down the phone, turning off the TV or stepping away from the computer.
My husband and I try, whenever possible, to eat dinner together, without any distractions like phones, computers, or the tv. That way we slow down and enjoy our food AND each other!
My trick for slowing down lately has been similar to yours, in that I make sure to have a full cup of water with my meal. When I remind myself to drink the water in between bites, I definitely slow down my eating. I eat lunch at my desk every day, so I know what it feels like to not even realize you just ate an entire meal! My 4 year old niece even commented once on how fast I ate my ice cream…oops! 🙂
Favorite snack lately- cottage cheese sweetened with stevia drops and some sort of mix-in like cereal or berries.
I use the hot tea trick too!
My favorite things to snack on are cheese and crackers or goldfish!
My favorite snack is apples with peanut butter or veggies and humus!
I’m a fast eater too, so I will have to try these tricks! My favorite snack is a green apple in the afternoon. Bonus points that they have been proven to wake you up better than a cup of coffee!