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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My favorite snack is, appropriately, cheese and crackers! I also love cold, crisp grapes and a banana with peanut butter. Nom! 🙂
Apple slices with almond butter is definitely at the top of my list!
Count the number of times you chew each bite. Funny enough, I got this from an old episode of Full House!
My favorite snack is anything with peanut/nut butter…apples, berries, banana, or even carrots! I try to take a break from whatever I’m doing and snack so that I actually enjoy what I’m eating!
I love snacks but some of my favorites are a cheese stick with a piece of fruit, chocolate chip protein balls, pretzel crisps just to name a few.
I read!!!!
My current favorite snack is an apple with cashew or almond butter and cinnamon
I personally enjoy eating slow, but I like to try and guess what kinds of flavors are present in my food, especially at a restaurant, and this always helps! My favorite snack is also carrots and hummus! 🙂
Oh my gosh this might be the cutest giveaway ever! My favourite trick to slow down snack time is to plan out my snacks in advance! I’m way more likely to stop and savour what I’m eating when I’ve been looking forward to it!
Popcorn is one of my favorite snacks! Filling and takes awhile to eat. Plenty of fiber also, so double the benefit 🙂
I try to put my fork down and also take a sip of water. I also concentrate on who I’m with, and try to match their pace if they are a slower eater!
I am a kindergarten/preschool teacher, so my afternoon snack when school is over is my “me time.” I like to drink lots of water and eat some veggies or a small serving of fruit. This is the time I get to read my favorite blogs like PBF before I have to get back and work on lesson plans, etc. 🙂
My favorite snack are Larabars with a piece of fruit!
I try to plate my snacks and sit at the table to really savor them, otherwise I will definitely just grab and eat straight from the fridge! My current fave snack is plantain slices tossed in coconut oil and s&p and roasted in the oven paired with a smashed avocado. So, so good!
I try to spend time making something, so that I don’t rush through eating it. Instead of eating pretzels straight from the bag, I might cut up cheese or put some Nutella or PB on the side. It’s the same thing with meals – we might do steak tacos, but we make the tortillas from scratch and savor them. If they were store bought tortillas, we would just inhale them and not care (and also, not enjoy them as much because homemade tortillas are amazing!)
I’m the opposite! I’m the slowest eater! haha I always stop eating when I’m having conversations during dinner so that’s my tip for all of the fast eaters, stop eating and converse!! 🙂
I like to snack on greek yogurt!
I’ve gotten better at portioning out snacks into a bowl or plate but need to start sitting down more and relaxing while I eat them.
I’m loving pita chips and hummus as a snack lately.
I am a ridiculously fast eater myself! My favorite snack of all time is peanut butter and apple slices (notice the peanut butter is listed first…the mound of PB is sometimes bigger than the apple) I try to take a bite and put the rest of the slice down while I enjoy chewing the bite I took…seems to help (goes along with the ‘putting the fork down in between bites’ I guess but in this case my apple slice is my shovel ;o)
~T
Put food on a plate! Set up a portion then go with it. Eating out of the box/bag is a recipe for disaster.
My favorite snack is aged sharp cheese with sundried tomatoes! I especially love having it with Once Upon a Vine red blend 🙂
I am particularly bad at keeping myself hydrated, so I always try to drink water or a cup of tea with my snacks! As far as my favorite snacks go – trail mix varieties are my greatest weakness!
I try to chew my food longer to help me eat slower. And my favorite snack/lunch right now is laughing cow garlic/herb slice on two rice cakes with cucumber and salt and pepper. Delicious!
My husband and I make it a point atleast a few times a week to pack up our meal and enjoy it at our local park. This encourages us to slow down, enjoy our food and our surroundings!!
I’m naturally a slower eater, and tend to take my time to really savor meals, since it often makes me sad when it’s done. My favorite snacks are a good trail mix, fruit with raw almonds, or a nice baked or roasted sweet potato. Yum!!
Julie what an awesome give away! I am also the queen of the grab and go snack. I usually am standing at the back door wolfing food while waiting for Lilly to go potty so I can head out the door. I would love to spend more time savoring and less time wolfing! My current favorite snack is some home made popcorn with a little butter and salt.
I love lighting a candle for meals and snacks. It automatically makes the atmosphere more relaxing, so I’m less likely to feel pressure to shovel my food, and more likely to linger.
I try it plate it really nicely and/or use special dishes or a special mug so that I remind myself to take a deep breath, relax….then dig in. A favorite shack is sweet mini peppers or rice cakes with almond butter (even better…cookie almond butter!!)
I try to make myself drink water between bites to slow myself down. That way, I’m slower at eating and am also getting the right amount of hydration everyday!
I like eating a snack where I spread something! I love having an apple and almond butter, and I slow down by only spreading the almond butter on the piece that I’m about to eat. Really slows me down!
I have to ‘un plug’. No TV, no phone! Sometimes I flip through the paper and pace myself through the snack so that I’m not finished eating before I finish reading 🙂
I used to inhale my food and be done with my meal in less than 5 minutes but recently, i’ve switched over to a tiny spoon and it’s helping a lot!
Love, love, love the giveaway items you chose!! 🙂
My favorite snack is an apple with almond or peanut butter….yum!
I try to put my fork down between bites, especially when I’m eating alone–if I don’t, I’ll suddenly realize that I’ve inhaled whatever I’m eating!
I also am guilty of mindlessly eating! My trick/ tip is to always eat with a fork and knife, even if it is a finger food. I think having to mentally focus on both hands controlling the fork and knife helps me be more aware of what I’m putting into my mouth, and it also forces me to be more present! This may sound silly when you’re eating popcorn or chips.. but have you ever tried to eat popcorn or chips with a fork? It’s hard! 🙂
I have tried the trick of putting down my fork between bites and this has worked. Especially when I am out at a nice dinner. I really want to savor every bite and this seems to help!
I eat with the opposite hand to slow down a bit! Also, when there are no electronic devices around, that helps as well!
I call my mom or a good friend! When I am chatting with someone I have to put the food down to talk. It helps slow my down and catch up with someone I care about.
I remind myself right before I eat to SLOW DOWN. It also really helps to put down the electronics!
Hi Julie!
I’m a fast eater too! One way I enjoy meals for longer is to simply eat more voluminous foods! Haha. Healthy options, of course. But snacking on a bowl of popcorn or a plate of veggies inevitably takes me longer to finish than a granola bar.
Love the Laughing Cow! I’m a pretty slow eater naturally, but I do try and drink a large glass of water right before meals and snacks so that I’m sure to hit my water intake for the day. I also feels that it fills my stomach just a bit so I’m not so hungry I shovel everything into my mouth!
I go through phases with my snacks too! My favorite right now is rice cakes (either caramel or apple cinnamon) topped w/ pb! They are amazing! Sometimes I’ll sprinkle on some mini chocolate chips for an extra treat 😉
When able, I try and eat a meal or snack with another person or during a phone call w a friend. The conversation keeps me from inhaling my food!
I’m a fast eater as well. I’ll just shovel popcorn or cereal, really anything, into my mouth! I try to drink water between handfuls to slow myself down
The best way for me to not snack is to go do something…anything! This usually means take my French Bulldog for a walk, lock myself in my room and read a good book, or call a friend and spend some time catching up (can’t talk and chew at the same time!) BUT when I do snack, I love to take those massive bags of frozen broccoli from Costco that you can throw into the microwave and I can eat a huge bowl of broccoli with salt and pepper with no guilt!
What helps me slow down when eating is eating with friends! I tend to eat a lot slower because of all the talking that is going on!
Edamame in the pod with sea salt and crushed red pepper.
I help slow myself down and savor my snack by reading a book! I know that sounds a little weird. But I will read a little and then eat a little bit of my snack and chew it up, then go back to reading a little more. I have an hour lunch break and my office is a little far from restaurants and different places, so I’m usually sitting at my desk. My snack today was apples slices with peanut butter, my fav!
My go to snack was always pretzels or veggies with hummus. Now that I am expecting our first baby, I have been craving cheese and crackers! Definitely will be stocking up on some Laughing Cow 🙂
My favorite snack is popcorn with a few choco chips tossed in, love the sweet and salty combo! To slow down, I will take sips of water or tea in between bites.