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 buy myself a pretty placement and napkin so I want to sit and enjoy my meals!!!!
I try to drink at least a half a glass of water before I snack or eat a meal.
A banana with almond butter is my go-to snack!
Don’t eat in front of the tv!
I don’t use this tip all the time, but I find eating with chopsticks slows down my eating and causes me to savour what I am eating more. It also helps prevent me from overeating too!
I HAVE NO MORE TRICKS! I’m a human garbage disposal at meal times!!!!
I love laughing cow cheese on a honey crisp apple:)
My boyfriend eats slower than I do, so I try to pace myself with him. It works!
I love your giveaway selections! My favorite snack is a date with peanut butter!
My favorite snack is apples with peanut butter. The way I keep from eating to fast is to make sure my husband and I eat at the table every night and its technology free. No TV, phones, or tablets! Love your giveaway!
My favorite snack is a fruit smoothie! I put in frozen fruit, a banana to make it creamy, yogurt and a handful of spinach for added nutrition! It’s filling and refreshing!
I wish I had some good tips. I dont but I do love to snack. Lately apple and peanut butter.
Lots of H2O and unplug from everything during mealtime so that you’re focused on eating.
Favorite hideaway is the park! Nice quiet surroundings with a good snack and a great book!
A great snack with Laughing Cow Creamy Swiss is to half five large cherry tomatoes (like campari). Then spread a little of the swiss on each half. Top each one with a fresh basil leaf and a sprinkle of cracked pepper and olive oil!
I make sure I’m sitting at a table and use a smaller plate- definitely helps with portion control!
I drink a glass of water before I snack – an oldie but a goodie!
I put my work to the side while I eat (instead of multitasking) and try to take a true break while I eat. I enjoy my food more and find that I’m more productive as well!
I try to have a glass of water before, and drink water throughout. Tea sounds like a good idea!
I love crackers with Swiss cheese melted on top.
I always try to think about how eat bite of food tastes, and it helps me slow down and not shovel food in my face!
I’ve actually tried timing myself (nothing ridiculous, maybe 15-20 minutes for a meal). It sounds kind of crazy, but its really helped me to notice what it feels like to slow down!
My favorite snack is banana and almond butter.
Really anything with almond butter 🙂
I’m guilty of scanning social media while eating, so putting down the phone or moving away from the computer is a biggie for me!
I definitely agree with you on having a cup of tea with your snack- I do this all the time!
My favorite snack is a banana with peanut butter. Yum yum!
My favorite snack is crackers with hummus!
I too am a super fast eater at meal time which then causes me to snack. Tips and tricks that I “try” to use are chewing my food several times, placing my fork down after a few bites, drinking a glass of water before meal time and eating at the dinner table. Favorite snack anything with PB – lately it has been Chex cereal with a teaspoon of PB!
One of my favorite snacks is baby carrots, mini pretzels, and guacamole! So yummy!
I too am an extremely fast eater – I will definitely try these tips out 🙂 And favorite snack = veggies and guac.
Great ideas! I try to designate a specific time to enjoy a snack that is a break from work or whatever I am doing. That way it feels special and purposeful!
My favorite snack is Greek yogurt & granola- crunchy & cold!
Drinking water helps me savor meals!
My all time favorite snack is a banana and almond butter! 🙂 I’m trying to sit down and focus on my food, so I wont inhale it on the go!
Baby carrots and hummus!
I eat with my left hand (I’m right handed!) so by default it just takes longer!
One of my favorite go to snacks is smoked salmon rolled up with laughing cow Swiss cheese!
Cutting up my food always slows me Down!
I love non fat plain Greek yogurt and fresh berries! So filling and it takes awhile for me to eat it.
I like to put my snack of lite creamy Swiss spread upon lite pita crackers and maybe a slice or two of apple or celery on a nice small plate and sit down to enjoy along with a few sips of water. Yum!
I am totally a fast eater too!! And I tend to multitask while eating, ESPECIALLY snacks, so making sure I am not doing anything but eating and that I am actually seated definitely slows me down.
I try to drink a glass of water before I eat that way I feel less hungry when I set down and tend to eat slower and enjoy every bite!
I like to use my non-dominant hand to eat. It slows me down since I am not as strong! It’s weird but it works! My go-to snack is some sort of fruit or vegetable and peanut or almond butter 🙂
I have to wait until my son naps to savor my snacks! I love apples and cheese or nuts. Thank you!
I put my fork down between bites.
I try to make sure to chew my food thoroughly.. although its not always successful!
taking sips of water throughout helps me slow down!
I try to take a sip of water in between every other bite. Slows me down and prevents overeating!
My go to snack right now is Fig Bars. I got them in a road race gift bag and I’ve been obsessed ever since! Love this giveaway!!
I like to drink something with a snack – alternating sips with bites!
Right now I am loving almond butter and an apple or crackers! I definitely need to work on savoring snacktime instead of rushing through meals and snacks. Thanks for the giveaway!
I try and keep my mind focused on the end result and as soon as I start assembling a snack in the kitchen I’ve gotten so involved I almost forget that I’m hungry! (Almost)