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 need definitely need to work on this, but I try to eat every meal/snack off of a plate. I find myself just reaching into a bag and not even realizing how much I’ve eaten! And favorite snack?? Apple/banana with almond butter! Yum!0
Everyday after lunch I have 2 triangles of trader joe’s dark chocolate with a cup of green tea to satisfy my sweet tooth! My favorite snack if I want sweet/salty I go for a rice cake with pb and honey 🙂
I like sitting at the dining room table for snacks instead of eating in the living room…. Helps me concentrate and enjoy what I’m eating.
My favorite tip is to use chopsticks for snacks like popcorn or goldfish crackers… Helps slow me down in a big way!
I am a fast eater too, and have to constantly remind myself to sit down and be mindful of the food I am eating!
Love your blog and laughing cow! Thanks for all the ideas!
My favorite snack is any kind of trail mix! Especially if they include dried cherries.
I am a fairly slow eater but my husband could definitely use these tips! Thanks! My favorite snack is a honeycrisp apple with peanut butter. So delicious! I’ll have to try putting The Laughing Cow cheese on cucumber, sounds interesting.
I always try to eat with somebody else! This way, I slow down by having a conversation while eating and I spend quality time with those close to me.
Counting how many times I chew at least for the first few bites helps me to remind myself that I need to chew longer. I love snacking on fruit!
peanutbutter and apples are forever my favorite snack
I tend to eat with “slow eaters” which helps me slow down my eating. I don’t want to be done in two minutes and watch everyone else eat for fifteen 🙂
i also have difficulty slowing down when I eat! I find that doing my best to prepare my meals helps me to slow down, because the time I would normally spend deciding what to make, making my meal, and eating it, can just be spent eating!
I agree with you on stepping away from the electronics! It helps me to take a break from being on my phone.
I do much better when I’m not watching tv or on the computer. I definitely agree that it makes me inhale my food and eat even more because I’m not paying attention!
What an awesome giveaway! Not sure I’m an expert on slowly eating snacks but one of my favorites is pretzel crisps with white cheddar. I do find actually plating my snack and sitting helps things last.
I try to sit down and chew my snack slowly!
I am also a fast eater! My husband is a slow eater so I try and pace myself with him when I find myself shoving food into my mouth haha. Also, when I am out to eat I do the fork trick, it really does help!
I find preparing a snack plate helps me to slow down and enjoy my food – cutting up an apple and cheese onto a plate rather than just eating crackers out of the box! 🙂
I try to use all senses with my food to savor it better, but often i struggle and just chow down!
Thanks for the tips
I’m definitely guilty of eating too fast! Lately I’ve been making myself drink after every couple of bites..slows me down a little!
My favorite snack is a huge honeycrisp apple with almond butter or peanut butter!
We are so much alike, I get hooked on a snack until I overeat it. Right now I’m crushing on hummus!
As a teacher, I don’t always get a lot of time to eat my lunch, especially on days where I supervise in the cafeteria! Instead of shoveling food into my mouth when I finally have my free period and am STARVING, I turn the lights down in my room, turn off my laptop, take a breath and relax!
My favourite snack of the moment is a honey crisp apple! To savour my food, I make sure to always make sure to fix a nice plate rather than just grab something out of my fridge. If I take the time to make it look appetizing, its always more enjoyable to eat!
My favorite snack is cut up apple slices with cottage cheese and cinnamon!
My favorite snack is pumpkin with cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, a dash of stevia and topped with chopped pecans! (this is my go-to year round… not just in the fall!)
I try to stay away from the TV and reading on my iPad. When my husband and I go out its nice when they spread the appetizer, salad and entrees, it gives you more time to talk about your day or other things. Maybe we should start doing that.
Great giveaway and post! I certainly try to chew more, it helps me slow down my eating and enjoy
I’m not great at eating slowly but one of my favorite snacks is a banana with a mix of peanut butter, honey and cinnamon!
Sitting down and enjoying my food, and having a hot cup of tea or coffee with my snack always helps me savor my food a little more!
I take sips of water between bites! And my favorite snack is good ol’ pretzels 🙂
Hi Julie! Being a freshman in college, i like to get creative with my snacks but they always seem to include peanut butter ha! I love rice cakes topped with pb and a hot cup of green tea like you said. 🙂
It’s really odd, but my favorite snack is pretzel crisps with cottage cheese and Cholula hot sauce. It’s odd but filling–lots of protein!
Lately I’ve been loving raw veggies and greek-yogurt based dips!
I love peanut butter and pretzels. This is an awesome giveaway.
Life for my husband and I is really stressful and busy right now, so we always eat meals together at the table every night, no matter what. I try to do the same thing when I eat snacks! Something about sitting at the table now, has helped me to slow down, breathe, and enjoy my food 🙂
My favorite snack is celery + peanut butter. I try to take the time to sit down and relax when I am snacking!
I am a very slow eater and am usually siting alone at the table at the end of a meal. I think talking to your family about your day will slow you down and give you time to connect as a family
Oh shoot, I always forget to slow down but haven’t thought of any tricks to curb that! My favorite snack is yogurt with fruits!
I try to take my snack breaks away from my desk at work, that way I’m incentivized to enjoy it and prolong it as long I can before having to go back to emails and projects.
My favorite snack is plain greek yogurt, honey and roasted/salted almonds!! It is so satisfying and the perfect combo of protein, fat and carbs.
My method for slowing down is to put my eating utensils down between each bite!! Love laughing cow by the way!!
I know it sounds silly, but whenever i set the table and use pretty cloth napkins, I tend to slow down and enjoy whatever I’m eating that much more. As for snacks, I love just about any kind of toast!
In group settings, I take cues from other people at the table. If it looks like I’ll finish before everyone, I slow down!
My favorite snack is a crisp apple with almond butter!
My favorite quick snack is actually laugh cow (the veggie flavor) spread on a plain rice cake. So tasty and almost always staves me off for an hour or two!
I find that I eat so much faster when eating alone. If I am with my husband or friends I am able to carry on a conversation which slows down my eating time. When I am by myself, I try to take my snack away from my computer and take those few minutes to relax and unwind!
It’s funny, I’m pretty much the exact opposite.. alllways the last one finished eating! One tip I would say though is to drink a sip of water after every couple bites. It sort of goes hand in hand with putting your fork down, and gives your hand (and mouth!) something else to do!
Love these tips! I alwAt try to portion out my snacks so I don’t eat any more than that! I’m guilty of catching up on my shows and snacking away!
I’m a big fan of bananas with peanut butter – yum!
I’m an inhaler, too, but it helps if I have someone with me because then I break up the bites with all my endless talking 🙂