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 tend to inhale my snacks, too! I’ve started making my snacks something that I have to put together as I eat them (like pretzel crisps and cheese), so I have to pause between bites to assemble the next one.
We make it a point to sit at the dinner table most nights of the week to eat our dinner. It seems that if we all are talking about our days, it makes us slow down and enjoy our food between chatting.
My favorite snack is a banana with almond butter or chocolate covered almonds! I find that if I have tea with my snack, I slow down as well!
Top 4 Favorite Snacks:
1) Pretzels with Almond Butter
2) Strawberries with Whip Cream
3) 1 cup vanilla yogurt with Carob Chips
4) Blue Diamond Almonds- Toasted Coconut Flavored
Being from NYC I have a tendency to walk fast and eat fast. 2 ways I slow down:
1) Put my utensils down after each bite. If my brain is in overdrive, I will jot notes as well.
2) Count to 10 sometimes between bites
When I eat at the dining table I totally eat slower! I try not to be on my phone, watch TV, or read but that is so hard! Especially with a baby who provides NO actual conversation 🙂
I love a sliced apple with peanut butter for a snack!
One thing I do to make my snacks more enjoyable is to put them on an actual plate instead of eating whatever it is directly from the container. Helps with portion control and also just makes the snack seem like more of an official eating event. 😉
What a perfect contest!
I nibble on so many snacks throughout the day, but my favorite is apple slices w/ whipped peanut butter — it’s not as heavy as the regular kind and because of the air, looks like you’re having more than you actually are. Super filling and the perfect prep for an afterwork workout!
I love apples and peanut butter!
My favorite snack is the cinnamon laughing cow spread on corn thins, topped with mixed nuts and berries! Was my snack today 🙂
My favorite snack right now is an english muffin with some homemade apple butter!
I made myself a rule to always sit at my kitchen table, whether I’m eating meals or snacks. This works great at preventing me from grabbing quick treats mindlessly eating on the go. It also forces me to think out my meals and snacks more – I’m more likely to put more effort into eating something healthy if I have to sit at the table to do it!
My fave snack are medjool dates sliced in half and topped with almond or peanut butter and a drizzle of coconut oil.
I try to put down my fork between bites too! I love apples with almond butter, avocado with sea salt, and popcorn for snacks!!
My husband and I often eat dinner in the living room while watching TV. The past few weeks we’ve decided to turn the TV off and eat dinner at the dining room table. I’ve found that I eat slower and my portions are more controlled that way. Plus, I get more one on one time with my hubby! Triple win!
String cheese is my all time favorite snack. I definitely need to slow down more, too – these are great tips!
I try to slow down my eating by taking sips of tea or water between bites. It really does work!
Fav snack: a peanut butter finger 😉
my favorite snack is stove popped popcorn topped with nutritional yeast!
One of my favorite ways to slow down and savor my meal is to eat with chop sticks. Especially is it’s something like rice, it makes me slow down and focus on my meal.
I make sure to close my computer and invite a friend to enjoy snack time with me. This way I won’t be distracted by the stresses of work and get to enjoy some girl time.
I LOVE the Laughing Cow! I am the queen of eating at the counter while assembling a snack, so I try to sit down when I can to really savor my food.
My wife love bananas and peanut butter and would love me even more if she wins this 🙂
My new favorite snack tastes just like a peanut butter/banana frosty…but actually healthy! it includes: 1 frozen banana, 1 Tbsp peanut butter, 1/2 c almond milk, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 Tbsp cacao powder…blend it all together and good to go! So delicious 🙂
My current favorite snack is chopped veggies with dips – hummus and tomato basil salad dressing are my current faves!
I slow down by drinking more water in between bites. Favorite Snack cheese and crakers or apples and almond butter.
I try to put my snacks on a plate or in a bowl so that I don’t just mindlessly eat while standing at the kitchen counter. It helps with portion sizes too (until I go back for seconds)!
I try to make sure I am chewing enough. Sounds silly but I find myself shoveling food in if I don’t take the time to stop and chew. Also makes for easier digestion!
My favorite snack is trail mix. I especially love having almonds and m&ms in the same bite.
I always try to take a sip of water in between each bite 🙂
I always try to have some protein in my snack! Hard boiled eggs, nuts,…something that will fill me up.
I am usually trying to inhale a snack while doing something else, like things at work. So I slow down by allowing myself 10 minutes to stop my activity and enjoy each bite! My favorite snack is the classic apple and almond butter. Trader Joe’s almond butter is my preferred, since it’s salty enough to balance the sweet of the apple. Perfect!
I’ve always been a very fast eater but lately I’ve tried to remind myself to put my utensils down and drink at least a whole glass of water with my meal
Easily peanut butter and apples – but the peanut butter has to be crunchy. Usually I snack standing up in my kitchen to get my blood circulating. <3
I feed my 9 mos old son at the same time as I eat. So it’s one for him and one for me which helps me slow down when eating. Plus I get to enjoy all his cuteness in between! 🙂
I totally agree that eliminating electronics should help you be mindful of your eating, but, oddly, I find that I eat slower when I’m browsing my favorite websites. I’m reading between bites so it makes me put down my fork and remember to drink my water!
Woah, best giveaway ever! My tip for slowing down is drinking water first. It cuts the edge off hunger and makes sure you aren’t eating out of dehydration.
I like apples and peanut butter.
I am also a super fast eater and usually the first person done at any meal! My favorite snack is either popcorn or hummus!
I trick myself by doing a household chore when I’m done with a meal – by the time it’s done, I know whether I’m still hungry or not!
my favorite snack is fruit
I make myself sit at my kitchen table, instead of couch!
favorite snack apple and baby carrots!
Love this!! My favorite trick is to TALK — it makes me enjoy my dining companions more, and definitely slows me down!
I make sure I am always sitting down and try not to eat straight from the box! My snacks usually involve peanut butter or hard boiled eggs!
Hi Julie!
I LOVE laughing cow cheese. My fav is the herb and garlic kind and I spread it on a english muffin or bread to make an egg sandwich – so tasty!
For slowing down at meal time, a trick my Mom always use to tell me was to count to 10 or 20 after I have swallowed my food so I have a little break!
My favorite snack is avocado toast!
Best way to slow down and savor food is to have a converstation with your kids & hubbie during meal times. Get’s everyone talking and ensures you slow down while eating since we CANNOT eat with our mouths full 😉
I tend to eat in front of TV or my computer, so turning those off helps me slow down and enjoy my food.
My favorite snack is honestly just a sandwich. It’s usually only half of a sandwich, but I find the combination of protein and carbs to be filling and satisfying!
I LOVE a warm tortilla with hummus and shredded cheese! It’s one thing that I literally have to MAKE myself slow down and eat or else I’ll inhale three of them!