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 love going camping on the weekends. I turn off my phone and enjoy the scenery!
I (like you!) put my fork down between bites and make sure I fully finish my bite before putting more on my fork.
I slow down by trying to pick foods that take longer to eat. An apple instead or a cookie:)
I love beef jerky or apple and almond butter!
One of my favorite snacks is smoothies! I need to work on slowing down too. One thing I try to do is be aware of how my body is feeling while I am eating. This helps me to be more in the moment and pay attention to what I am doing.
I love this post! I can totally relate to the feeling of realizing that you just ate a meal and didn’t savor it at all. Lately what I notice myself doing is looking around on my phone while I’m eating—it has become quite a habit. So thank you for this reminder to put the electronics away and ENJOY food. You’ve inspired me to be much more intentional!
I’m a fast eater too. I really need to work on that. My favorite snack is almonds & cheese.
I love dr. Krackers with whole foods honey roasted peanut butter topped with banana slices and a sprinkling of chia seeds!
I love laughing cow cheese spread over sourdough toast with an egg! So yummy! I also eat at my kitchen counter so I enjoyed all your tips!
I love apples with almond butter as a snack! I try to be mindful while eating and chew my food slowly to savor the flavors/texture.
One of my favorite snacks is peanut butter and fruit or veggies!
My favorite snack has to be cheez-its! Has been forever, but they are pretty unhealthy, so I also try to snack on baby carrots.
This giveaway has so many of my favorite things! I’ve had my eye on those pottery barn blankets forever, and need a teapot desperately – the microwave isn’t cutting it! What a great curated selection of treats Julie!
My favorite snack is apple + peanut butter – especially this time of year!
This is my first post to your site – I just wanted to say that I love reading your blog – it gives me motivation to get to the gym and lead a healthier life!
My favorite way to slow down when I eat is to sip some good wine with my meal and have a good conversation with my husband =)
One of my favorite snacks is pretzel thins and hummus! I’ve also been enjoying the spicy laughing cow cheese lately and love the kick it gives!
A handful of almonds and an apple with crunchy peanut butter!!!!
I use the “mug of hot tea” tip at work regularly when I reach for a snack in the afternoon. Taking the time to sip between bites really helps extend my snacking time and help me savor the energy boost during the mid-day slump!
I love peanut butter and apples!!!
I try to put down my fork and be thoughtful about what I am eating. I love applesauce and cottage cheese for a snack.
First of all…my family is OB-sessed with Laughing Cow Cheese. One of our favs! One way I try to slow down is when I am eating dinner with my family is to have conversation. So many times we get sucked into either watching what is on TV, eating while doing our homework, or rushing through dinner to get on to our next “to-do”. Taking the time to TALK to each other slows down the pace a bit and allows us to reconnect.
I try and drink 8 oz of water before I snack to see if I’m really hungry or just thirsty!
Oh goodness this post made me hungry! My biggest thing is stepping away from electronics. As a busy law student I try to squeeze as much out of every day as possible but this does lead to me shoveling in food and not really focusing on what I’m eating/enjoying it. I will try the fork trick as well!
My favorite way to enjoy a snack is to prepare it and plate it as if it were for someone I love. That way, it looks beautiful and tastes amazing too!
I am a speed eater too, I try to use the same tip you mentioned of putting your fork down in between bites, it really help me not to shovel my food into my mouth! 😉
I get myself to relax by getting up early on the weekends and having some me time! 🙂
I can SO relate to this (and your previous) post, since I”m also a super fast eater. I do try to put my fork/spoon down between bites as well as drink water throughout the meal. Great giveaway Julie!!
I slow down by saying a prayer of thanks before I eat. Cheese and almonds always make a great snack!
I also tend to eat fast! I try to take smaller bites and not just shovel a bunch of food in my mouth. My favourite snack is a crunch apple with peanut butter or almond butter!
Sitting at the table with no distractions has worked for me. Eating on the couch while watching TV doesn’t usually end well.
i am notoriously a fast eater as well!! I always try to have a drink with me and take sips between bites–def not a new trick, but it works 🙂 this fall I’ve been loving apples diced up and baked with a little cinnamon and sugar! Sooo good!!
I definitely agree with you about plating snacks! If I put my apple slices and cheese on a plate, I can’t eat it as a run out the door! It forces me to sit down and enjoy it!
One way I try to savor my food is by taking smaller bites! I tend to just inhale my food so taking smaller bites tend to prolong my meal and snack time 🙂 I also tend to really taste my food when I do this!
This time of year I love apples with caramel as a snack!
I try to be a part of the dinner table conversation to slow down. I like talking almost as much as I do eating, so this really helps. 🙂
My favorite snacks of the moment are vanilla roast almonds! Apples and cheese is another favorite.
My favorite snacks:
almond butter + honeycrisp apples
raw almonds + string cheese
almond butter + banana
mojo cliff bar
100 calorie chobani + fruit
I’m definitely going to try the laughing cow cheese now! Looks delicious.
My fiance is a much slower eater than I am so that is a good reminder to slow down…current fave snack is honeycrisp apple with natural crunchy peanut butter!
With three kids (ages 6, 4 and 1 month!) it’s often hard to actually slow down to enjoy a meal or a snack. In fact I have been in business dinner meetings where my coworkers laugh at me for how quickly I eat!! If I don’t eat quickly, I may not get to eat!! My favorite snack is usually hummus and pita chips or Nutella and pretzels for something sweet.
I totally do the Hot tea/coffee trick too. My husband and I are fast eaters and it is HARD to try and slow down when eating!
I make myself chew all food before next bite. That way I don’t just shovel food in! Favorite snack is apple and peanut butter!!
Putting down my iPhone definitely helps me slow down. When I’m on my phone and eating I tend not to even think about what I’m doing, and eat wayyy too fast.
I do the tea trick and also like to read while i snack instead of watching tv. i find i eat less this way because it is harder to do both and therefore i am more conscious of it.
I also love to add a hot mug of tea to my snacks!
I try to chew my food more! I tend to eat fast and taking the time to be mindful and taste my food helps so much!
I find that if I make sure that I take the time and sit at the kitchen table to eat it helps me to slow down. My favourite snack is a thin rice cake spread with natural peanut butter and raisins.
My favorite snack is fresh mozzarella cheese with triscuits and apple slices- keeps me full until dinner! Thank you!
I’m a super fast eater too! I really try to turn off any distraction and drink between bites as well.
Apple and peanut butter or guac and chips are my fav snacks!!!
I try to slow myself down by chewing everything completely and also putting the fork down in between bites. Tough to remember when you are eating something so delicious!