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 always try to put my fork down between bites.
How cute is that tea kettle! Such a cozy giveaway! On the healthy side, i like standard veggies with hummus. For a less healthy snack, I love popcorn + M&M’s!
I try to use snack time as a time to decompress! This way I’m mindful of how I’m feeling and not mindlessly eating. So no electronics or big distractions, usually just a nice comfy chair, a blanket a cup of hot tea and maybe a book!
I try to take a sip of water in between each bite (also so I don’t overeat) and I like eating with friends, so I concentrate on catching up with them and not eating so fast!
In order to enjoy my meals or snacks more, I like to make sure I sit down at the table. It may seem so simple, but I feel like it allows my mind to rest and refocus for the next part of the day. PICK ME!! Haha 😉
I leave my phone in my home office and eat at the kitchen table.
Bring your snack outside or move to a special spot to savor your snack and take in the scenery!!
My current favorite snack is easily avocado toast! I also make sure to step away from electronics because otherwise I get lost in whatever video I’m watching or story I’m reading and don’t have the chance to actually savor my snack and acknowledge the fact that I am eating.
My favorite (daily) snacks are apples and almonds! I also really like fruit snacks. They help satisfy my sweet tooth!
dark chocolate cranberries have easily become a snack time favorite of mine thanks to the bulk bins at my local grocery store.
i’m still working on slowing down, with a 9 month old i feel like even getting a snack in is a success.
I try to only eat meals and snacks that required some effort by me to put together. I find that when I eat a pre-made meal or some sort of “bar” as a snack, I’m not as aware of what I’m eating because it didn’t take any effort to put together. When I’ve had to put work into it, I am much more likely to appreciate and savor my snack.
Thanks for the great giveaway!
My favorite snack to savor lately has been pistachios, one shell at a time!
I always eat sitting down at a table, if I bring it to my couch, car or anywhere else I eat to quickly and don’t enjoy my meal
I love everything about this giveaway! From the slowing down in life to enjoying working out and our workout outfits – to enjoying our food, thank you for hosting! I love to snack on almond butter and apples, larabars or chips and salsa (when in need of salt!). I always forget about laughing cow – thanks for the reminder!
I put my utensils down in between bites.
A cup of hot tea if my favorite way to slow down and relax a little also! I bring a big mug and my favorite tea to work to have with my afternoon snack to take a few minutes to relax and pretend I’m not at work..
Great giveaway! My favorite snack is veggies with guacamole, hummus, or veggie dip. And I try to make sure I have a full glass of water when I’m snacking so I can slow down by sipping on that.
I also try to put my fork down between bites in order to slow myself down while eating.
For breakfast, I try to wake up a bit earlier so that I can make myself a breakfast I’ll enjoy along with a cup of coffee. I love having my coffee at home instead of on the go, and my day starts off much more relaxed when I have the time to sit down (even if it’s only for 10 minutes) instead of shoving food in my mouth as I run out the door.
Oh boy – when I first started dating my boyfriend – literally on our first date – I realized that he is perhaps the fastest eater I have ever met, and for someone who is fit and strong, he can pack in an incredible amount of food in one sitting. ALL the food. So, after 3 years, I find myself picking up some of his habits, especially if I’m very hungry. I try to sip water between bites or put my utensil down, too, so that my body has a bit of time to register what’s coming in!
My top 2 tricks are to chew and savor the taste instead of just gobbling down my food, as well as putting my fork down in between bites!
I love string cheese and wheat thins. I have been enjoying savory snacks over my sweet snacks. Sometimes I like to read a book while eating. I’ll try to read a few pages in between each bite.
What a fantastic giveaway! I love flavored almonds as a snack.
I’m actually a really slow eater. I think that’s because I’m perpetually thirsty, so I tend to fill up on liquids before I have time to fill up on the foods I eat. However, one of my favorite snacks is Caprese. I slice a tomato, put slices of fresh mozzarella on top with basil leaves, and then drizzle balsamic vinaigrette on top of it all. SO GOOD!
I too am guilty of being a very fast eater! I think it stems from when I was younger – having three brothers and having to eat my food as fast as possible before they started eating it for me! My favorite snack is currently dry roasted edamame and fresh fruit. I tend to rotate things a lot because I get bored easily but that is my snack of the week!
I always “style” my food. It doesn’t mean I make everything look photo-worthy, but moving your lunch or snack to a bowl or plate vs. keeping it in the tupperware or bag I packed it in helps me feel less rushed.
I also started drinking tea with my snacks! My favorite is pistachios with earl grey tea!
I read somewhere once that it helps if you count how many chews you have completed…I think about 15 chews was the number that they gave! It’s an interesting way to slow down when I’m eating too fast!
I love cutting an avocado in half and using Tostito chips to scoop out the avocado…an easier alternative to guacamole!
I always eat too fast. I hate when I’m eating and suddenly realize I haven’t looked up or breathed in like 20 bites! I try to set my fork down between bites and make myself chew a certain number of times before swallowing. I’m definitely better about doing this when out in public… At home it’s always a struggle.
I *almost* bought some Laughing Cow cheese the other day! Now, I’m gonna have to go back to get some to try some of these snacks.
I am a work in progress on trying to slow down and savor my food. I even eat my lunch at my desk at work. One of my favorite snacks lately are a couple of dates with some peanut butter or blue cheese.
This is the best giveaway ever. If I don’t win, I’ll be getting my self a Le Creuset Tea Pot. How did I not know these existed??
I’m naturally a really fast eater, so I really find myself savoring my meals when I’m eating out with friends. All the conversation and lack of electronics really helps.
I try and sit at the kitchen table instead of in front of the TV or computer. I also find that it helps to put my fork down in between bites.
I try and have dinner on the table a couple of nights a week so we are not eatting in front of electronics or the TV. We talk about our days and I feel like the meal i prepared is enjoyed more.
I make sure I talk to people when I am eating or I read. Those two things help me slow down!
I love to snack on pistachios. The shells help slow me down!
I always try to take drinks of water in between bites so I don’t wolf down my food!
We try to have enough time to enjoy our dinner time and not rush through it to get our daughter to bed on time. We can connect and talk about our days and enjoy each other’s company.
Definitely learning to step away from distractions while eating is the best trick I’ve learnt to slow down. That way I pay attention to what Im eating and savour it
I think the best way to savor snack time is to snack with a friend! I try to take breaks around the same time as at least one other person I work with and we sit and chat and snack away! It’s much harder to inhale everything in front of you when you’re engaged in an interesting conversation.
Love this giveaway! One of my favorite snacks are homemade lentil granola bars from Women’s Running: http://womensrunning.competitor.com/2013/08/nutrition/recipes/recipe-lentil-granola-bars_13879
I could really stand to slow down and savor food while eating! I’ve been loving popcorn lately and crackers with hummus!
I try to drink a lot of water in between bites to make the food last longer!
I take sips of water or tea with my snack to make it last longer. Awesome giveaway and I love LC cheese!
Enjoy it with a friend! You can’t talk and chew at the same time!
My favorite snack is greek yogurt with granola. I look forward to eating it every day and I eat it slow to enjoy every last bite 🙂 I love your snacks above they all look so yummy !!
I try to definitely portion out exactly one serving of something, such as crackers, and then portion that number down into smaller groups and just do a small bit at a time before going back for the rest of the snack. Even at work doing this and putting the rest of the snack behind me out of straight eyesight helps a ton
Assemble the snack as you go! I do this for cheese and crackers, apples and almond butter, bread and dipping oil, anything!!
My current favorite snack is a fall snack mix of candy corn, peanut, m&m’s and popcorn! yum! I try to savor my snacks by putting away electronics when eating – easier said than done.
My favorite snack right now is a toasted piece of wheat bread, the Laughing Cow garlic & herb cheese, a sliced hard boiled egg with a little salt and pepper. Soooo good and filling. I read about it on another blog and am so glad I tried it. Thanks!
I try to take a drink of water every couple of bites. Also, I have found chewing my food slower to enjoy the flavor helps as well!