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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When I find myself scarfing food at the speed of light, I find I can slow myself down and enjoy my meal more by trying to guess all of the various ingredients and spices used in whatever I’m scarfing. It helps me really taste my food and focus on what I’m eating. I also try to include whole grains or legumes in my snacks when I can because I’ve found the fiber boost tends to curb sugar cravings. Cheese also helps. (Cheese pretty much always helps. With anything.)
I have a busy 6 month old baby girl so taking time to eat slowly doesn’t happen too often anymore. My favorite snack is Apple slices with shredded coconut, nuts and chocolate chips. As a fellow dog fanatic I love your blog and take time to read it every day 🙂
When I focus on sitting down and savoring my food I am much more able to enjoy it as well as listen to my body and know when to stop eating.
Don’t really have time to savor anything with a toddler in the house, but one of our favorite snacks is pretzels!
My favorite healthy snack is hummus with baby carrots!
My favorite snack is mozzarella cheese with Wheat Thins crackers. Such a good combination! After reading your post I want to try pairing apples and swiss cheese!
My favorite snack is peanut butter + chia seeds + banana slices on whole wheat toast!
My best tips are to put the form down between bites, and also take sips of water between each bite!
My favorite snack is a banana and USUALLY PB added 🙂
Always an apple with peanut butter! Love the cup of tea idea.
My favorite snack is air-popped popcorn!
I am a crazy fast eater too. It was so bad when I was younger that my dad went through a phase of having me eat all my meals with chopsticks instead of a fork so I would have to slow down! For me, sitting down without distractions and taking a 5 minute break when I’m halfway are the tricks that work, but it’s always a work in progress.
I try to sit as well, because counter top eating just doesn’t feel like eating at all. I usually shovel a snack in my mouth in the pantry and then tell myself it doesn’t count because I’m not sitting at the table, not the best strategy to avoid weight gain!
Sitting down is something I always try to do. I like your idea of enjoying some hot tea with your snack too! Thanks!
I’ve always been a slow eater, but my favorite snack would have to be peanut butter and apple slices!
Hey Julie! Love this post! To make sure that I take time for my snacks, I also keep myself away from screens and in front of a window if possible. Being able to look outside (there are skies and clouds even above a parking lot 🙂 calms me down and gives me a minute to myself to breathe and appreciate the time for a break in the day, I’d probably be giggling at Sadie if she followed me around!
I also enjoy making a “gourmet” plate for myself arranging my snacks and giving myself variety, plus using small plates or bowls to easily keep proportions in check. I’m a pro at making a few almonds, apples and roasted seeds look fancy!
Thanks!
Jocelyn
I make myself sit at the dining table instead of standing over the kitchen sink. This helps slow me down! Love laughing cow cheese chipotle flavor with cucumbers
What a fun giveaway pack! The thing that seems to help me the most is to JUST eat while I’m snacking. No TV, no books, no phone. When you have nothing else to do you’re forced to focus on each bite and not mindlessly chow down.
I’m a huge snacking fan! In fact, I think I tend to “snack” more than I actually eat regular meals. My go-to snack is peanut butter with anything and everything (apples, bagels, crackers, oats). My go-to tip is to try and combine some kind of protein (whether it’s my beloved PB or cheese, turkey, or even hummus). Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to go grab a snack 😉
Kind of like drinking hot tea, I always make sure to have a glass of water with any meal or snack. It helps my brain feel full so I don’t overeat, and of course I stay hydrated.
I love to grab a newspaper, magazine or book while I’m snacking. I find it helps me pace my eating!
My favorite snack lately has been a protein shake consisting of coffee, milk, vanilla protein powder, and ice all whirled up in the blender for a cold and creamy treat!
Hi Julie! When my boyfriend was little, his mom followed a macrobiotic diet, which involved chewing your food thoroughly (he told me he had to chew at least 30x before swallowing). Say what! I used to make fun of him for this, but now, when I realize I’m shoveling my food down my throat, maybe I should start counting, to slow myself down! Instead, I prefer the sipping on tea or coffee, or drinking a large glass of water, while eating a snack, to help slow down and savor the food I am putting in my mouth. I usually have an easier time doing that when I really enjoy the snack I’m eating- like cheese & crackers or peanut butter and apples!
My favorite snack has to be sliced apples (Fuji!) and almond butter. I seem to have this combination almost every day!
MY favorite snack is cottage cheese and fruit!!
I have to consciously make an effort to chew my food, NOT inhale it! It takes a lot of effort on my part and helps me snack much slower!
One of my favorite snacks is a meat, cheese, and cracker platter, shared with my husband. I find that if we turn the TV off and use that time to talk about life (traveling, weekend plans, holidays, etc) we eat slowly and talk in between bites. If it is a smaller snack, I try to take little bites so I can savor the experience. 🙂
LOVE this give-a-way!! My trick is to not pile high my fork or spoon! I try to only put one “part” of my meal on my fork at a time, instead of grabbing parts of my entree and side at one time!
I am a HUGE fan of pretzel crisps (in the “Everything” flavor) dunked in salsa or hummus along with carrots and cucumbers for snack time. Great giveaway, Julie! 🙂
Greek yogurt with fresh fruit and a sprinkle of chia seeds is my go to snack!!
I slow down by breathing deeply.
I try to drink water or herbal tea between bites. The other main tip I follow is to not wait until I am STARVING to eat something. Otherwise food is gone in a flash!
My favorite snack is salt and vinegar almonds. which i try to eat more slowly by portioning them out and then eating them ONE at a time instead of a whole handful at once- so hard to do!
I try to engage in conversation while enjoying a meal with someone…no one wants to talk when their mouth is full. I also try and sip on water between bites. I LOVE Laughing Cow…with pretzels or crackers!
I find that when I talk with my husband while eating it helps me to slow down and enjoy the meal and our conversations. Not having the tv going or other electronics helps us to focus on each other without distractions.
Sitting down with no phone or laptop to distract me definitely helps me to savor my meal a bit more.
I love having a sliced apple with cheddar cheese!
Favorite snack has been apples and greek yogurt for awhile! I eat a ridiculous number of apples a day
Hot tea is a great idea that I use too. I also cut things in tiny bits, like apple pieces so I’m not shoving the whole thing in my mouth. Have a dip or a laughing cow-type cheese spread also slows me down.
And my favorite snack is either popcorn or dark chocolate 🙂
My husband and I are the exact same, fast eaters! We get super excited when we are at dinner for more than 30 minutes! Sometimes we just order a drink and appetizer to slow ourselves down a little before we order our meal. Favorite snack is apple with peanut butter, never ever gets old!
Going along with your “break out of the routine” idea, I often slow down and savor my meals when I take longer to prepare them. If I simply grab a handful of chips I eat them mindlessly, but if I take the time to cut up slices of cucumber and dress them- which doesn’t take an extraordinary amount of time by any means but does require some thought- I am much more likely to enjoy the snack. I also like to eat snacks with family or friends over conversation because we get to bond AND it draws out the experience!
I like to drink water in between every bite!
Favorite snacks: peanut butter, always
I really like snacking on apple slices with pb & yogurt dip, or with sal y limon (a spicy Mexican chile, lime, and salt powder), or some veggies and hummus!
Thanks for the great giveaway!
My favorite snack is definitely tied between Greek yogurt with fresh cut strawberries or edamame! It’s too hard to pick an ultimate favorite!
I try to actually sit at the dinner table when I want to eat mindfully. Sitting on the couch is a recipe for disaster!
My favorite snack right now is raw veggies dipped in firecracker sauce.
I try to drnk more water and choose healthy snacks.
Hahah I am definitely a quick eater too! I have been trying to take smaller bites in order to make my meal/snack last longer. I’m definitely going to start putting my fork down in between bites now too!
I’m a huge fan of apples dipped in yogurt as a snack!
I always try to take smaller bites or cut up fruit, veggies, etc into small chunks. I also always have a glass of water or tea along with my snack that I sip on to slow myself down.