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 a chocolate protein shake with a little bit of PB2 added. It satifies my sweet tooth and keeps me feeling full!
Those snacks look yummy! Thanks for the tips for slowing down to enjoy your food. I tend to snack/eat lunch at the computer too so your reminder is a good one for me.
My favorite snacks are bananas with almond butter or pecans and some dried fruit
I am usually eating with a 2 year old so she is pretty good at helping me slow down. She steals all of my food! 🙂
Right now my favorite snack is Greek yogurt with granola and fresh fruit like a banana or some pineapple mixed in.
What a fun and creative giveaway, Julie! I am a notorious fast eater. Having a 2 month old also makes long meals tough 🙂 I’ve had to try and work on this because my husband is a VERY slow eater. When we are eating together, I try a feet my fork down every bite or two. I don’t keep my phone nearby, and we try to talk about interesting parts of our day or activities we want to try. If I’m by myself, I’ll turn on Pandora to a chill music station and just have some quiet ‘me’ time. Somehow the music helps me to take my time. Oh, and my favorite snack right now is Greek yogurt+chia seeds, almonds, pumpkin seeds, local honey, and blueberries.
Annnd that should say, “I try and put my fork down”… Autocorrect.
My favorite snack right now is a mix of almonds, raisins and maybe a few chocolate chips thrown in some days. 🙂
Eek! What an awesome giveaway 🙂 All of those would be PERFECT on a rainy day like today to curl up with a nice book.
My best trick before I snack is to drink 8oz of water beforehand. This way, your stomach is kind of full-feeling and it forces you to slow down between each bite, rather than inhale it all at once. As a bonus: it also helps to prevent over-eating AND you get your daily water intake without even noticing!
I know that every single chance I get to eat is a blessing from God that shouldn’t be taken for granted so when I eat I like to taste each flavor in the food and enjoy every bite.
My favorite snack is truly anything that includes my favorite PB (old home natural honey pb). A prime honey crisp apple is at the top of the list.
My go-to snack is usually piece of fruit paired with nuts; usually an apple and some almonds. To avoid mindlessly scarfing my snack at work, i turn my computer screen off while I eat.
I always eat slower when we have family dinners at the table. We will typically put on some “dinner music” but no TV or phones! Not only do I eat slower this way, it’s sometimes the only time we really sit down and connect without technology distractions!
I love cookies. Any kind. Best snack ever, but not really slimming, so I definitely savor them when I do have them!
My favorite way to slow down is to drink plenty of water with my snack, or to use a knife and fork (when possible).
One of my favorite snacks is hummus and pita chips! But I do LOVE, LOVE, LOVE me some laughing cow cheese. I use to eat it all of the time on EVERYTHING and actually had forgotten about it. This post just reminded me how much I love it and I plan on buying some after work today!!! 🙂
I try to cut up all my food before I take the first bite because then I eat it in the small bites I cut, otherwise I start eating huge chunks of food mid-cutting! Smaller bites = longer meal time!
I always forget to slow down, and often eat breakfast and lunch in front of the computer. Walking away from electronic devices is such a good idea.
I am with you! Usually by the time snack time rolls around I am hungry and end up just scarfing something down. I try to take time and eat my snack at the table also…A couple other things I do are really focusing on chewing to actually TASTE and enjoy what I eat. I also try to make my snack into lots of little bites–even if its just an apple I have I cut it rather than eating it right of the core, that way I can enjoy each little slice instead of one big apple!
My favorite snack is popcorn, but I inhale it!
I also use the tea tip – if I have a steaming mug in front of me I tend to savour the time a little more. And secondly, I used to get together with a friend for snacks and chats – we’d have a snack and a hot beverage and catch up!
I love laughing cow! It reminds me of hiking dates with my boyfriend. He introduced them to me with meat and crackers, and I was hooked.
Lately I’ve been WAY into Greek yogurt, especially Tillamook Coffeehouse Blend. It’s like dessert with protein and less sugar! I toss in some shelled hemp seeds (nutty flavor) and chia seeds, then top it off with some cinnamon. For an even less sugary snack, I’ll get the plain Greek yogurt and add berries and cinnamon.
I also need to be mindful of not multi-tasking while eating. It’s tough! There have been several times at work when I’m looking for the treat or snack I prepared, and I realize I’ve already eaten it. 🙁
Love this giveaway! I definitely slow down and enjoy my meals more when I unplug from the electronics. 🙂
My favourite snack is peanut butter with banana! I find if I cut the banana up it makes my snack time last a liiitttle bit longer! Mmmmm
Air-popped popcorn is my all-time favorite snack, and it’s one that takes a little longer to eat so it’s a win win!
My favorite snack is a banana and a handful of peanuts. This is delicious and great for pre-workout snack.
My go-to is some greek yogurt with granola or cereal on top
My favorite snack is Apple Straws (they are a sweet cinnamony version of the popular Veggie Straws) dipped in greek yogurt mixed with cinnamon. Delish 🙂
It’s weird, but I like toast as a snack. Usually with a smear of peanut butter and, maybe if I want something sweet, a sprinkle of dark chocolate chips.
I try to take a sip of water between bites; I’m not very good about my water intake, so this slows me down AND keeps me hydrated!
My favorite snack is a banana with peanut butter. Really anything with peanut butter. 🙂
one of my tricks is to plate everything. i am so bad about just taking handfuls from bags and mindlessly keep going back for more and more until i realize i ate a whole bag! if i plate my snacks i only eat whats on the plate and leave it at that!
This giveaway is amazing!
My favorite snack is a banana with a drizzle of honey and cinnamon.
Crossing my fingers for Friday!!
I just went to Sam’s and bought a 3-package bundle of Laughing Cow Creamy Swiss. I put it on everything: fruit, veggies, toast, eggs, even my Morning Star patties so this giveaway is awesome!
If I’m not on a time crunch, sometimes I’ll take a break during my meal and go do a small “chore” around the house like putting up towels, putting things in the dishwasher or opening mail. If I’m still feeling hungry after than I sit back down and eat until I’m satisfied!
I like to set my snack/meal up on a real plate or bowl instead of a paper towel or something disposable.
My favourite snack is anything with peanut butter as a dip.. apples, bananas, carrots, figs..etc
Love this blog post! As a RD2BE, I am always conscious about eating behaviors and patterns! I like to drink water to keep me hydrated while I am snacking to distinguish when I am satisfied rather than doing mindless snacking!
Focusing on the food instead of electronics is really something I’ve been trying to do. I love all of the things in your giveaway!
I am also a fast eater- I try to have water or tea with meals so I can sip on something between bites.
I’m a naturally slow eater so I usually savor all my meals and snacks! I did read about a fork that starts vibrating when you’re eating too fast though!
I am like you Julie, I can eat anything in about 1 minute. Your post has motivated me to make my mission starting tomorrow to step away from my desk, TV or computer and when I eat food to sit down away from any distractions and ENJOY it.
So, my favourite snack is a little weird to some people…frozen blueberries & crushed raspberries + creamy almond butter drizzled over top + any toppings I desire (ex. coconut shavings, chia seeds, crushed almonds for some extra crunch, etc)….its a healthy alternative to a PB &J 🙂
To Savor my food, I try to chew for at least 10 bites. Not only does this really help me enjoy the flavor and experience of my food, it really helps me slow down my eating (and avoid choking!). I learned this tip a few months back and it really helps! I am a super fast eater too:)
My favorite snack is anything chocolate! I try to savor my meals by enjoying lots of water at the same time!
I inhale my food on a regular basis! When I catch myself doing this, or my husband ever so politely brings it to my attention, I take a deep breath and try to sip on more water between bites. I find when I actually take the time to slow down I really do enjoy my meal/snack so much more!
I try to savor my food, especially when I’m dining out, by setting aside half of my meal and mentally earmarking that as the portion I’m going to take home with me for another meal. Then I have less to eat so I have to eat it slowly so it lasts longer! Plus, the portions are usually huge anyways so this is also a great money (and calorie) saver! My favorite snacks are pretzel chips dipped in red pepper hummus and string cheese and green grapes! I always enjoy reading your blog. You are such an inspiration to eat healthy and exercise on days when I need it the most! I also love seeing pictures of sweet little Sadie 🙂 Keep ’em comin!
The way I slow down and savor my food is to make the majority of my meals at home. The time, creativity, love that goes into it helps me appreciate every bite!
My favourite snack is plain greek yogurt mixed with honey, chocolate chips and a scoop of PB — oh and a sprinkle of sea salt!
This is such a great giveaway! Love it!! I also try to use the put-your-fork-down trick. Also, sitting down while eating is key! I’m not that great at either, though I try whenever I think of it.
i drink lots of water while i eat!
I actually eat pretty slowly but I find if I read the paper I take my time as well as when I eat lots of veggies (the more good food the longer it takes!) and use small spoon for most things when I’m not using my fingers that is (:
What an amazing giveaway. I could put all that stuff to very good use (:
To help me slow down on chowing-down too fast during meal and snack time, I always try to finish an entire glass of lemon water with my meals or snacks. This helps me not only focus on eating, but getting ample amount of H2O hydration in during mealtimes:)
My favorite snack is homemade trail mix. I’m allergic to tree nuts, so I can’t buy most trail mixes available in stores because they always have almonds. I love mixing pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, craisins and miniture pretzels. If a need a touch of something sweet I’ll add Reese’s peanut butter chips. It is great!