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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What a nice giveaway Julie! My favorite snack is an apple and some pecans and dried cherries on the side!
I am a compulsive fast eater, so I have to force myself to do the “put down your fork between bites”. It really works!
My favorite snack is deli meat rolled up with lettuce, cheese, hummus or mustard with a side of tomatoes, carrots, apples, or grapes.
It’s hard to pick one favorite. I have a set of top three fave snacks: 1) Apples with almond butter, 2) Llaughing Cow light swiss wedge with carrots and 3) string cheese stick with almonds.
Carrots & Peanut Butter are my go-to snack right now. I always have a bag of carrots and a jar of peanut butter in my fridge at work or home just in case my stomach starts grumbling. In order to savor my snack I try to take a mini break between each carrot stick.
I’m not very good about slowing down and savoring snacks, but lately I’ve been trying to actually sit down at the table and concentrate on the taste of the food rather than my phone or book!
I try gratefulness practice when I eat a snack, I slowly savor it to enjoy each bite, the taste and texture. Today I had baby tomatoes with my homemade hummus and a green apple with homemade almond butter, totally delicious. I feel very decadant with homemade snacks rather than store bought, helps me also to enjoy the moment knowing that I made the snack!
Great Blog!
I like to go for a walk before I have a snack. It helps me get away from my desk and helps get some steps in!
I am guilty of mindless snacking, especially on the days I haven’t gone to the gym; to battle this, I try not to watch tv or play on my phone while snacking. One of my favorite snacks when I’m craving something salty is pretzels or pretzel chips dipped in mustard. I also love Laughing Cow wedges with almond crackers!
I try to take sips of water between every bite. It helps me slow down and also helps me increase my water intake!
this is a great giveaway, Julie. Thank you. I make sure I have eaten everything before I go for my next forkfull. My favorite snack is an apple.
I relax by lighting a candle, grabbing a cozy blanket and slippers and sipping on a cup of hot tea from Aveda. I also assemble a snack plate of veggies, pickles, cheese, pretzel thins and sweet potato chips.
I always try to incorporate something to drink into a snack, like tea or decaf coffee. Sipping on something between bites makes me feel like my snack is lasting longer!
Putting down the electronics definitely makes a difference – I am also a speed eater!
My favorite snack is trail mix! Especially fruit and nut mix…Sweet and and Salty! Great giveaway!
Favorite snack – trail mix and yogurt. Trying to slow down and savor food is always challenging…… For my family, we try to sit at the dining room table, no tv and talk about our days. Doing this engages us and we don’t have the disturbance of the tv trying to steal our attention.
I try to take a break from chores, errands, emails, etc. in the afternoon and sit down, relax, and enjoy an afternoon snack before the kids hit the door! It helps me to recharge for the rest of the day!
Me and my husband have the same problem at restaurants. I’m definitely going to take your advice and go somewhere else for dessert and coffee (or tea) to prolong the date 🙂
I find that I can enjoy and savour my meal more when I can sit at the kitchen table with my husband and talk about our day. Sometimes I find it hard (especially if I’m really hungry haha) but it’s nice to get caught up in talking with each other. It takes my mind off how hungry I am and then I’m able to eat slower.
And my favorite snack is hummus and veggies 🙂
Putting down the electronics device is key!!!! I need to do it more.
I usually try to sit down like you said and then also read a book and take a bite after I’ve read a few pages 😛 I also love as a snack a sweet potato protein shake! frozen sweet potato, chocolate whey, ice, almond milk, cocoa. whip it up and it tastes like a frosty from dairy queen. not even joking!
Old trick I know but it has helped me.. Chew and then chew some more. I inhale way to fast and have had food go down the wrong way.
I have been on a pretzel crisp kick lately and I love to eat them with hummus and almond butter most of the time. I will definitely have to try some laughing cow cheese!
I read while I’m eating alone. That helps to keep me at a good pace (and entertained!)
I’m also a fast eater so putting my fork down between bites helps. I also took your advice from a post awhile ago and worked on the presentation of my weeknight meals for two so that we could enjoy them more (especially since we’re short a dining room table right now!)
My favorite snack is a laughing cow packet and half of a whole wheat pita from trader joes. YUM. Hard to savor!
What an outstanding giveaway! Thanks so much Julie! I am also a fast eater and have NO tips for slowing down haha, but my favorite snack is currently a HUGE bowl of Yonanas + PB2 on top. Delicious.
Sharp cheddar cheese plate with crackers and fruit!
I am a 911 dispatcher and spent 17 years on afternoons which equates to, if you want hot food, you don’t chew, you don’t think and you just shovel it in. When I am at home it is huge fight for me to slow down and chew. I seriously have to stop and think about it to get myself to do it. I also try to put my fork down between bites and take sips of water before I put something else in my mouth. Right now my favorite snack is either a Honeycrisp apple and Naturally More Peanut Butter or a piece of jalapeno string cheese.
I need to be better about minimizing electronic distractions while I snack! My go-tos right now are Lara Bars and Quest Bars 🙂
I have also tried the no electronics during a meal and putting your fork down in between bites. The no electronics thing is kind of hard, as I do tend to keep the TV or music on as background noise when I am home. I also make an effort not to sit on the couch and actually use my dining room table – make it feel like a proper meal!
Great tips! My favorite snack in the fall are honeycrisp apples!
Reading a magazine or chatting with my roommate helps me slow down between bites!
My favorite snack lately is a half cup of low fat cottage cheese, mixed in wih a half cup of dannon light & fit strawberry yogurt. Its delicious, filling, and helps pull me through the afternoon until dinner time! 🙂 also to savor my meals I midfully put my fork down and take sips of water in between every few bites.
baby carrots and hummus !
If I actually sit down at the table (and not the couch) eating becomes a lot slower. Plus, it’s hard to eat soup on the couch!
My favourite snack is an apple with old white cheddar cheese slices and maybe some Jalapeño jelly to go with it. I also always have a cup of tea on the side! My favourites are Mighty Leaf’s Vanilla Bean and Davids Tea’s Vanilla Orchid.
I always struggle with inhaling my food too! One of my favorite tricks at snack time is to choose foods that require some assembly, for example crackers with jam and cheese. If I have to assemble each cracker one at a time in between bites it helps me slow down and be more aware of what I’m eating!
It’s hard to pick a favorite snack! But, right now it is garlic Parmesan pretzel chips 🙂 They just hit my salt craving so good!
I have to detach from the electronics in order to eat more mindfully. Easier said than done though!
put down my phone while I eat and step away from the computer.
I too try and avoid watching T.V. or staring at my computer while I eat, I always feel more satisfied when I slow down and enjoy my food!
I love Laughing Cow cheese! I like to mix the Chipotle Laughing Cow Cheese with salsa as a dip with tortilla chips. Mindful eating is a great way to slow down…notice the smell, taste, and texture of the food one bite at a time.
My favourite snacks are apples with peanut butter or carrots and dip!!
I like to drink hot tea with my snacks. It helps to slow me down a little.
My favorite snack is an apple with peanut butter or some microwave nachos! I find that stepping away from technology, and especially eating outdoors, is a good way to slow down and enjoy food.
I’ve made a point to always sit down as I eat, because I know it helps me to focus more on enjoying the food. After going to Europe, I fell in love with afternoon tea like in England or Germany’s coffee and cake. An awesome way to spend time with people and enjoy a lovely snack!
I take small breaks in between when I eat to make sure I don’t just gobble it all down. I lay my fork down as well. That helps out a lot.
I am crossing my fingers! 🙂
Seeing as I read this post while scarfing my snack I may not have too many great tips but I like to parcel my snack out so that I don’t eat it all in one inhalation. I always snack at work so I will unpack half of the snack, eat that, and then go back for the other half. It may sound crazy but it gives me a little break!
I try to talk with my kids, ask them questions and enjoy our time as we snack after school. I like to engage them which in turn engages me!
My current favorite snack is a butter cracker (ritz, entertaining, whatever) with mascarpone cheese and fig butter on it. YUM. You have to savor it, because it’s so rich and delicious.