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’m a big fan of sitting down, and always using a plate. Eating straight out of the bag never leads anywhere good (except to the bottom of the bag)…
I often will sit down and read a magazine or book. This way my attention is on something other than just what I’m eating.
I know if I finish eating dinner first, I’ll inevitably end up doing the dishes all by myself while my boyfriend just watches. Pretty big incentive to slow down 🙂 Plus, when I eat slower I can actually tell when I’m full, as opposed to scarfing down more than I need.
If I am eating with someone, I try to eat a little, enjoy it, and then focus on who I am with before taking the next bite! My favorite snack is unsalted cashews- a little energy and protein to fight my hunger!
I like having a big glass of water with my snack to help slow me down.
I try not to eat in front of the TV. Eating while watching always leads to me wolfing my food 🙂
My favorite snack has been a sliced apple and handful of nuts with lots of water.
My favorite snack is fresh popped popcorn or trail mix with chocolate bits. I tend to snack more when I am bored or procrastinating so I try to make sure it is real hunger first!
Honey crisp apples with PB2 peanut butter is what I am loving right now!
I LOVE Laughing Cow wedges! I just got done eating one with those new Wheat Thin air crisps…so good! When sitting down to eat an actual meal…I think I eat relatively slow…..but it’s those times when I’m “starving” that I shovel food in my mouth so quick, I almost forget what I’m even doing or what I’m eating! I’m trying to be better prepared so I don’t get to the point where I’m super hungry…..bringing more healthy snacks to work, or always having a granola bar in my purse. I think when people get to the ‘starving’ point, that’s when we tend to made bad choices regarding what we eat and how we eat it.
I have found that putting my fork down in between bites really helps me to slow down! Also, not eating in front of a tv/computer.
Sit down while eating and engage in a conversation, if I’m eating with someone else!
I try to only cut one piece of my steak/chicken at a time and then put my knife down while I’m chewing. It really does slow me down!
I love to eat dinner outside! It extends dinner because I just sit outside and chat after we’ve eaten 🙂
I totally agree on the electronics thing. I try to sit down at least for breakfast and lunch at the kitchen table (dinner’s always on the couch in front of the tv, oops). I definitely eat slower and enjoy my meal more when that’s all there is to focus on!
PS what an awesome giveaway!!! Thanks, Julie! 🙂
I am also infamous for my fast eating. My mom used to get upset with me when I was little because I would scarf my food down so quickly. Fast forward to present day and weeknight dinners at home with my husband as an adult I’m still guilty of fast eating…I’ve even seriously thought about investing in the Hapifork to help train myself to eat slower. Some tactics I use (when I remember, which is usually with about 3 bites left of my meal) are: counting my chews (15-20 – REALLY hard to do), putting my fork down, and sipping water between bites.
This is an awesome giveaway, thanks for putting this together!
My favorite snack would either be pistachios, an apple, or a larabar!
I was always a really slow eater until I started eating in front of the TV. I noticed I would just inhale my food because I wasn’t paying attention. Now whenever I make a nice meal I always eat at the dining room table, away from the TV, so I can actually enjoy my food.
My favorite snack is definitely hummus. I don’t care if it is on carrots or pita chips. I’ll take it any way I can get it!
I put my fork down between bites for sure. I wind up eating much slower and MUCH less!
What a great giveaway!!
I always try to put my fork down in between bites. It really helps!
I love to eat a greek yogurt cup with sliced bananas, raw oats, and drizzled honey on top! It’s my after-school snack (I’m a teacher). 🙂
My favorite snack is chocolate and cashews. Sweet and salty!
I honestly always eat rushed because I always have something to do or somewhere to be. However, when I’m on vacation I always try to talk when I eat like with my family or so to savor my food rather than shovel everything in my mouth! It always helps to talk with others while eating.
Sitting down and eating a meal with friends and family where I have a chance to be social helps me to slow down and really enjoy my meal and good company!
I love letting a dinner/meal drag out over great food, great conversation and wine! That combo has created some of my favorite meal memories 🙂
If I eat with my family, I am able to slow down. If I eat alone, I eat much faster. My favorite snack is popcorn or banana and peanut butter!
Right now I’ve been lovin’ a handful of nuts (walnuts right now, I’m out of almonds) and chocolate chips! Although I do “hide” the chocolate chips behind some things in the cabinet so they’re not as accessible.
I am also an incredibly fast eater and have to remind myself to slow down! I’ve tried eating with my left hand rather than my right hand at times and that definitely helps me slow down – although it also takes a fair amount of concentration as well! What a great give away 🙂
My favorite snack lately is plain greek yogurt with a spoonful of honey almond butter in it. I’ve found that taking a few sips of water between bites, really allows me to savor the food I’m eating.
I love crackers and cheese with a side of fruits (such as apples or grapes) to get the perfect combination of salty and sweet. I have also started to try to put away electronic devices in order to take the time to enjoy the food.
The BEST way for me to slow down is actually to write about my food. I blog about different restaurants and the food I eat there. When I want to describe food to someone else, I HAVE to take the time to enjoy it.
Favorite snack I’m loving right now are all the awesome apples from this fall! Yum!
Some of my favorite snacks are 1/2 baked sweet potato with 1 tbsp nut butter, protein bar, piece of fresh fruit with tbsp nut butter, and a small serving of whatever leftovers I have in the fridge.
I absolutely love this giveaway! My husband and I used to eat in front of the TV, and the way we figured out how to savor our meals/snacks is something I like to call “don’t eat on your feet”…meaning we never eat while running out the door or standing at the counters. 🙂
I like to eat with other people to engage in the conversation and slow down. If eating alone I try to take a sip of water after every bite or two.
greek yogurt with just a little honey – delicious and awesome source of protein!
Such a great giveaway! I am all about enjoying what I eat so I don’t answer the phone to limit distractions during my snack time!
my favorite snack lately is greek yogurt with a tablespoon of crunch peanut butter — sometimes I add berries or banana or even a chunk of dark chocolate
Such a cute giveaway! I enjoy apple and PB at snack time.
I love laughing cow cheese! Just had one today on a sandwich thin with ham and jelly…weird combo but so tasty! I always eat my food fast, so I try to sit down and eat with no distractions, aka no sitting in front of my computer or Netflix during my meals!
I try to prepare snacks that I look forward to eating. If I took time to make an extra yummy snack, I tend to slow down a bit more and enjoy each bite. Rather than grabbing a granola bar that I will ultimately finish in two seconds.
One piece of string cheese makes for a great morning or afternoon snack!
My favorite snack is a golden delicious apple with almond butter. I love this giveaway!
I like to try to slow down in the evenings with dinner time specifically, so we try to eat together at the table as a family and discuss our day. My husband, my 11 year old daughter, and myself – we are also mindful not to talk with food in our mouths, so this definitely slows down the eating process, and it’s a nice way to catch up after being apart from each other all day.
Love this giveaway! Remembering to put my fork down and sip water.
The biggest thing for me is to keep away from my phone or laptop while eating!
My favourite snack right now is banana and peanut butter, or else a rice cake topped with a little cheese and tomato 🙂
This is an amazing giveaway !!! Thank you for putting it together :). To tell you the truth i can’t tell you any tips to slow down because i am extremely bad at it. I have been trying to change that so i have been trying to chew my food more.
I really try to slow down and block out all distractions – enjoy the snack/meal to the fullest!
My top three snacks right now are strawberries with a little dab of nutella, apple slices with almond butter, and cucumber with laughing cow cheese. I will sometimes chew for longer periods of time in order to really taste the food.
My current favorite snack is the truffle from Pinch of Yum. No refined sugar, but you would never be able to tell. SO GOOD. http://pinchofyum.com/inner-goddess-chocolate-truffles