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 on the go snacks are Quest protein bars, string cheese, or roasted almonds
Peanut butter and apple slices is by far my fave snack. Especially during the fall apple season!
I love snacking on trail mix!! I have been working on slowing down while eating all meals. Getting away from electronics and work helps during meals. Portioning out snacks instead of shoveling them by the handful from the box helps too.
I definitely try not to multitask while snacking, but it’s definitely a real struggle!
To help me slow down I try to put my fork/spoon down between bites and take sips of water. It seems to help!
Favorite snack is definitely air popped popcorn…if only I could make it at work!
I usually use the “put the fork down” trick when I find myself eating fast too!
One of my favorite snacks is laughing cow cheese and wheat thins. I also inhale my food so I try to set my fork down and take sips of water between bites. This helps me slow down while eating and helps me to feel full so I eat less!
I’m a fast snacker too. I stick to portion control and finish every snack with a glass of water. 🙂 can’t mixup hunger and thirst!
To slow down eating snacks I normally like to switch it up so that I try something new that makes me slow down to enjoy it! My favorite snack would have to be pita chips and hummus. Salty is my favorite!
I make sure to turn the tv off if I’m at home and at work I try to step away from the computer!
My favorite snack is peanut butter and apple slices! YUM 🙂
My favorite snack is crackers and white bean hummus!
I like to sit outside if I can to enjoy my food when the weather is nice because when I have nature or people to watch and enjoy, I tend to slow down my eating.
When I really want to be aware of slowing down my eating, I will use chop sticks so that my bites ar smaller and I have to focus on what I am eating.
I love crunchy peanut butter on top of rice cakes for my go-to snack at work!
I’m one to also focus on electronics while I eat but I use it to my advantage. I take a bite and then do some work. It’s like a reward to get another bite after I’ve done some work and I enjoy the meal more. Of course, this is for when you’re truly busy and have to multitask. There’s also utensils out there that shake if there’s less than 10 seconds in between your bites. Ha!
Ha ha I love this post!! I definitely have to work on slowing myself down. Sometimes I feel like I inhale my food. One thing that definitely works for me is making sure I sit down, and consciously chew my food, and put my fork down between bites. 🙂 And one of my favorite snacks right now for fall is a toasted PUMPKIN english muffin topped with SunButter!!! So good!!
One of my favorite snacks is an apple with a cheese stick. I’m going to have to jazz it up with some laughing cow now and some almonds. Yum!
My favorite snack is apple slices and greek yogurt with PB2 mixed in. Yum!
My favorite snack is warm homemade raspberry banana bread with honey peanut butter. It’s so good!
My favorite snack is cocoa dusted almonds, yum!!
Now that I’m pregnant, I REALLY have to remind myself to slow down when I eat (because sometimes I really want to inhale everything in sight!). Drinking water between every few bites really has helped to slow me down (and get my water intake up!)!
My go-to snack is almond butter and banana with a sprinkle of cinnamon. I like to try to take a time out from my day to enjoy my snack.
My favorite snack hands down is hummus and carrots. The hummus is creamy while the carrots are crunchy. It’s a great combination.
I always drink a big glass of water with my snacks to help them last longer 🙂 What a great giveaway!
I too try to put down my fork or spoon between bites because I have become a major speed eater. I also sometimes count 20 chews per bite…it is amazing how long that can feel!
I always drink a big cup of water with my snack to slow down!
Love this post! And the giveaway is really fun too! I try to eat raw foods as a snack because they take longer to chew!
My favorite snack is a PB&J smoothie! Peanutbutter, almond milk, frozen strawberries & blueberries
Sometimes I have to time myself while I snack, especially with chocolate (just one piece an hour) or I snack during commercial breaks, because who watches those anyway!
Such good reminders! putting the snack in a bowl or on a plate helps too, and prevents the rush as well. sometimes I do enjoy cutting up my apple, as small as that may sound it makes snack more of a time to breathe and not just rush around
Sitting cozy in the house on rain/snowy days or sitting outside otherwise! Also, sharing a snack or a meal makes the food taste so much better! .. I will add, I love the garlic/herb flavor of those little cheeses, we put them on ritz or wraps! Yum yum!
My favorite snack is peanut butter and apple slices. 🙂
One of my favorite snacks is a plain old apple and peanut butter. I had to snack like this when I was pregnant and had gestational diabetes. It’s a great protein and carb combination and it keeps me full!
You listed some great tips to slow down while eating! I can’t really think of any additional tips, but one of my favorite snacks is just plain peanut butter & apple slices! I’ll definitely be trying some of the snacks you have above though.
And I just realized that Liz said the exact same thing above me! haha Oops! Must be that good!
I’m also a speed eater. I get embarrassed just thinking about people watching me chow down like I haven’t had food in months, haha! I try to remember to drink water (or let’s be honest..wine) in-between bites because it forces me to put down my utensils and slow it down a bit!
A tall glass of ice water seems to do the trick for me! Also, eating meals with other people (instead of just eating food at my desk while working) seems to help a lot!
Great snack ideas and giveaway! It’s hard for me, but it’s amazing how when I put my fork down in between every bite I fill up SO much faster! I’m such a fast eater, so this, while hard to practice, works so well!
I always try to slow down and enjoy my meals. Here are a few of my tricks: Make a smoothie and drink it with a little spoon after I let it harden in the freezer for a bit, adding a sliced carrot to my lunch and dinner so that I have something hard and crunchy to keep my mouth busy and I always try to have something to drink(water or tea) so I can take breaks from eating and have a drink.
I always try to put my fork down between bites. I also make an effort to have a good conversation during dinner because I find that chatting extends the meal and slows down my eating.
To make a meal last longer I really try and eat “in the moment” and put away all electronics and turn off the TV. When I slow down and set my fork down and actually savor and taste my food I don’t even feel the need to shovel it all down anymore. It becomes an experience rather than just something that needs to get done 🙂 My favorite snacks are dried apricots and prunes with coconut oil roasted pecans, coconut yogurt with toasted coconut chips and raspberries, and corn cakes with sun butter and sunflower seeds sprinkled on top with some cinnamon 🙂 yummy!
sitting down is a big one- I eat at least one meal per day standing! I also have to consciously focus on chewing completely before taking another bite.
I can savor snacks more when there’s more volume- for example, instead of a granola bar I have a mixture of dry cereal and almonds. Popcorn is also awesome because it’s super voluminous and delicious!
What a great giveaway! I usually only have time for meals except for a nighttime snack but these fun giveaway treats are perfect for my nighttime snacking!! I usually eat some sort of concoction with Greek yogurt made into something resembling a sundae!
Sometimes I’ll read a magazine or newspaper (where I can do the crossword!) as I’m eating. That way, I have to take the time to read the articles/news and it takes me away from my food for a minute
Snacks are my favorite part of the day:) Side note: I AM OBSESSED WITH MY POTTERY BARN THROW.
Sometimes I read a magazine or eat half at a time to slow down.
Right now I am loving salsa and chips. I just cannot get enough of it. Also popcorn. You can’t go wrong with popcorn.
I try to drink water with my snacks to slow it down!
I eat way too fast most of the time and have never really tried to slow down, lol. I will definitely be trying some of these tips. My favorite snack is cut up apple sprinkled with cinnamon, microwaved and topped with crunchy peanut butter.