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 right now is a honey crisp apple with a little peanut butter for dipping.
I always eat way too fast. I have been working on setting my fork down in between bites, but I still wind up being the first one done. 🙂
What a great giveaway! I like all your giveaways but this one is especially sweet 🙂 I don’t savor snack time like I should. I always have plans to, and then out of nowhere I’m done eating and I think, “hey that’s weird my food’s gone. I want chocolate.” I like the putting the fork down idea! To stretch out meals I’ll eat while doing house chores so I can only eat a few bites at a time. That way I don’t eat so fast and can more easily recognize when I’m full. if I’m being totally honest, my favorite snack is chocolate or some sort of pastry bread but that only happens once in a blue moon. So favorite healthy snack is carrots and hummus 🙂
I use the fork/spoon in my non-dominant hand. This usually slows me down!
I love snacking on an avacado with cheese and ketchup. Sounds weird but so good!
I try to put my fork/spoon/utensil down at each bite so I focus on the food & not shoveling it all in my mouth as fast as possible!
My favorite snack is hummus with veggies and crackers, I always try to take it outside (if it’s nice out) and enjoy it while not doing anything else. It’s like a mini meditation session!
my favorite snack is a pear with sunbutter. so good and very filling!
I always drink a glass of water before any snack or meal which fills me up and slows me down! I also try to finish a glass of additional water with the snack or meal!
Stepping away from electronics really does help to enjoy all meals and snacks!
My favorite snack is carrots, crackers and hummus. Easy, healthy and delicious 🙂
My favorite snacks always involve cheese. Can’t wait to try some of your ideas and thanks for the tips and reminder to slow down when eating! 🙂
I love some greek yogurt with peanut butter swirled in!
This may sound like a weird snack, but at night I like to eat a quarter cup of gluten free granola with some whipped cream on it. It is really good! I tend to rush my eating as well. My trick? Watch my husband while I am eating. He is a slower eater so when I look over and notice that he still has most of his meal left and I am more than halfway through mine, I will put the utensil down and really start slowing my pace! He’s a good influence when it comes to that!
I could not agree with you more about getting away from the computer!! When possible, I try to get outside to savor snack time, or at least sit by a window and look out the window as I eat. It instantly makes me feel more peaceful!
I try to get into a conversation with whomever I am with. I am really good about not talking with my mouth full and I love to talk, so it really works to slow me down! 🙂
My favorite snack is banana ice cream (frozen banana + pb + milk, blended)
I like to treat my lunch as an “event.” Usually, the kids are at school and the hubby is at work, so I sit at the table and read a good book while eating my lunch – it slows me down and helps me to enjoy and savor my food!
This is such a great giveaway! My favorite snack of the moment is definitely fresh apples– but I’m a notoriously quick eater and should work on that!
My favorite snack is a tie between greek yogurt with lots of toppings and a banana with peanut butter!
I eat so fast! My husband tends to savor and I find myself sitting with an empty plate watching him. I find it helps if I sit at the dinner table rather than the sofa and if we keep conversation going. By myself – well I’m still working on it. I currently love the Chobani Key Lime yogurt with graham crackers crumbs – so delish.
I love the Anthro mugs! I have one and use it all the time. The tip I have is to take one bite at a time and not to shove your mouth full. You take more time chewing, tasting and enjoying what you are eating which in turn helps you slow down.
I either try and multitask while snacking to slow myself down, or pour myself a big glass of water and tell myself I must have a sip of water after every bite! Helps a lot!
Great giveaway and a great topic! I also love Laughing Cow cheese – but on an English Muffin. One of my other favorite snacks is spicy hummus on baby carrots. Yum! Thankfully, I eat pretty slow, but I don’t know that I necessary “enjoy” my snacks and meals. I should make a more conscience effort to do that.
Some of the stores in Portland carry 100 calorie packs of guacamole. They are so good! Spread it on a cucumber, dip some tomatoes in it or just eat it plain! Perfect pick-me-up!
I too am a super fast eater. To help myself slow down, I tend to eat things I have to assemble (as opposed to something out of the box/bag) – apple slices with peanut butter, crackers with deli meat, and fruit and cheese. The act of having to build it slows me down and lets me savor the flavor!
Favorite snack is definitely a piece of whole wheat toast w/ avocado and salt and pepper. So simple and so delicious! My grandma used to tell me to chew at least 15 times before swallowing to savor my food…. It’s hard to remember sometimes though!
I usually always eat in front of the TV so I try to make some rules about only snacking away during commercial breaks or certain scenes. It is definitely a start at least!!
I will get up out of my chair and away from my desk when i’m at work, and sit in the brake room for a few minutes so I don’t mindlessly eat something without really tasting it!
Woweeee! Awesome giveaway. 🙂
I try to make an effort to put down my silverware in between bites to help me slow down and savor what I’m eating.
My favorite snack is a banana with almond butter or pretzels with hummus. I try to eat at the table to enjoy my snacks.
I think stepping away from technology is a really good idea when it comes to savoring a good snack. I like to curl up with a good book with my pup in my lap while enjoying a snack. It keeps me calm and relaxed and allows me to savor each little moment and bite.
I have a hard time savoring any meal but snacking certainly goes faster than others. Snacking is one of my favorite parts of the day too so it really is a shame! I love snacking on any kind of trail mix (preferably a kind with lots of chocolate)!
I almost always drink tea with my snack. Sipping the tea makes me slow down. My favorite snack right now is cinnamon sugar toast.
My fiancé and I always try and make it a point to sit at the dinner table, no tv, no cell phones. Not only does disconnecting help like you mentioned above, but for us it’s just about good conversation. The more we chat about how our days went and the things we like/aspire to, the more we savor our meal! Also, a go-to snack of ours is black beans mixed with hard boiled eggs and hot sauce…strange, but delicious!
drink a sip of water in between every sip!
I am also a fast eater and have been that way since I was a child, I blame my hungry brothers! If I am eating with someone, I take intentional pauses to make sure I am participating in conversation and not talking with a full mouth. If I am eating alone, I try to take a sip of water (beverage) in between each bite to help slow me down and not eat more than I really need to.
I am actually a known slow eater. I always try drink my beverage before I eat my meal and I try to chew my food for as long as possible. I got these habits from my Grandfather. I wish I could ask him why he did them because I must admit they are strange but, I am great at savoring my meals so whatever works I guess!
Tea or coffee with a snack definitely helps slow things down! I don’t like super hot drinks so it can take a little while to cool down, so to try to slow myself down and not eat mindlessly I usually try to make the snack last as long as the drink!
One of my favorite snacks is “ants on a log” — it’s sticks of celery with almond butter or peanut butter smeared on top and then you place a few raisins or dried cranberries on top (the ants!). It’s so good!
I am also a super fast eater. Along with some of the things you mentioned above, I drink a LOT of water during meals. I remind myself to take a sip every few bites, slowing down and allowing my stomach a hot second to tell my brain “Full!”
My all-time favorite snack is plain greek yogurt with cinnamon and crushed almonds. It fills me up and gives me lots of energy!
My favourite snack is the heathy muffins from Pioneer Woman! Delish!! 🙂
I know that it’s healthy to have 3 small meals a day with 2-3 hours between each meal so I have an eating schedule posted to my computer to remind me when to eat every day. I also heard on The Doctors that it’s really important to take your time and really chew your food so I try to chew each bite about 10 times before I swallow (which takes more concentration than it should which in turn allows me to slow down a little bit). I just read someones comment about taking sips of water between each bite and I like that. I will have to try it! 🙂
I also really want to try that cucumber and laughing cow snack you posted above. Looks so good!
I also have a hard time slowing down while eating snacks – all my snacks are eaten at my desk at work, so I’m always trying to shovel them in so I can get back to work, lol. Current favorite snack is fresh mango!! Healthy and delicious 🙂
I love a banana and peanut butter as a snack. Not only is it tastey and has some protein, but I get to share it with my pup too
I have been trying to make myself slow down by learning to meditate and Deepak Chopra has free meditation methods on his website that are really soothing and make me feel refreshed and happier!
I am always on the go (aka eating breakfast in the car or dinner while I walk to class or teaching) so I try to make time to eat at least one meal that is not so portable as silly as it sounds. My favorite snack is a green apple with either peanut butter or laughing cow light.
Definitely a way to slow down is to not turn on the TV!
Popcorn has always been a great snack to have. Growing up, every Saturday & Sunday my Dad would take out the air-popper and we’d help him make popcorn. (As much help as it takes to make popcorn! hahaha!)
I usually snack on grapes or have a cup of yogurt. Those are some great ideas for mixing up snack time!
When I eat breakfast at the computer in the morning, I take one bit per page of text that I read online. It’s so silly, but totally works to slow me down so I really enjoy my meal. 🙂 I want to win!