Hi~I know that eating slower can help you in many ways since it takes 20 min for your body to know you are full etc. but I have always had a tendency to scarf down my food especially if I really like it. Anyone have any tips as to how I can eat more slowly? I am going to try to pay more attention to chewing and maybe taking a sip of water or diet soda between bites. Any other suggestions...they are appreciated. Thanks, Alecia

It helps me to take small bites, and hold the food in my mouth for a bit. I take little breaks between bites, and make sure I never talk with my mouth full. I like talking, so this is an easy way for me to take it a bit slower!!
~Lani

I have always been told to set your fork or spoon down once you have filled your mouth with food...chew 20 times then sallow. So try setting your fork or spoon down between bites.

the best way I have found to eat more slowly is to not wait until starvation to eat. One of the habits I used to have was to consider not eating, or eating wee bits, "good." Then by the end of the day (generally right before bed) I'd INHALE food. Or if my day is really busy, and I haven't had a chance to eat, by the time I get near food--WATCH OUT!!--so much for my teeny amounts being "good"!! Now I try to eat snacks--healthy, nutritious things--fairly regularly, and I've found the URGENCY is gone. ('course, it's still hard!)
Good luck!!

Hi ladies! I would love to help you out. Take a look at my fav. website below. It looks pretty generic, but there's a very good weight loss book there. It also looks cheezy, but has some really good weight loss info and tells you exactly what you have to do to lose weight. It's what I'm on now. Hope this helps a little. Take care.

NEVER EAT IN FRONT OF THE TV.. IT DISTRACTS YOU AND YOU DONT PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR BODY SO YOU CAN OVER EAT THAT WAY. AFTER YOU TAKE A BITE PUT YOUR FORK DOWN... CHEW SLOWLY.. ENJOY EAT BITE AND AFTER YOUVE SWALLOWED DRINK WATER. JUST MAKE YOURSELF AWARE OF HOW YOUR EATING AND TRY TO CORRECT YOURSELF. DONT GO FOR A SECOND HELPING! ALSO MEASURE AND WEIGH YOUR FOOD ACCORDING TO SERVING SIZES

Hi Alecia,

I have a few suggestions for you to consider.....

After you have taken a bite of food ..... you need to put YOUR KNIFE AND FORK DOWN and don't pick them up to use until you have finished chewing your food.

When you chew your food count to ten mentally (saying 01, 02, etc. until you get to ten) ... then pick up your knife and fork following the same procedure each time you take a bite.

Also before eating your meal have a 12 to 16 oz. glass of ice water ..... and have a glass of water with your meal. I find that by following the methods I suggested .... slows down my eating process. I hope this helps. Always, Monica

Originally posted by jessica
the best way I have found to eat more slowly is to not wait until starvation to eat.

I totally agree with this. It finally dawned on me the other what the actual point of appetizers might be: satisfy that big immediate hunger with a little food while the main meal is cooking. I find it helps a bit- I have a V8 when I get home from work if I'm starving and that way I will also cook less.

I eat really fast, always have. My father used to race me to get me to eat fast when I was a kid. Now I am payng for it and b/c of this have GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). I eat to fast and do not chew my food properly. Therefore making it harder to digest the food I ate. This info. you all gave is very helpful!

Thanks

I've been trying all these tips, but I still am having problems with eating slower I think. I'm just going to try harder I think. Maybe focusing on not eating or even holding a utensil while I am talking will help. I'm gonna try that I think. *Sigh* Wish me luck. Luv ya, Alecia

(some of us just eat at a faster pace-- don't beat yourself up about it, just be aware!!:D )

Jessica took the word right out of my mouth (or fingers since i'm typing)

Just be aware, all of the strategies suggested will help but I find that just being aware helps. In the past I would usually be the first one done eating. Lately, even when not thinking about it, I find that I'm not the first done. It's just b/c the thought of eating slower continually pops into my head.

good luck, fast eating is definately a difficult habit to break for me.

Jay

well this works for me.. maybe it will work for you too.. I take a very small bit of food and chew it really good ..then I always take a drink of my tea or whatever I am drinking at the time.. It slows down the eating to fast.. also helps you to get full alot faster.. So its a bite.. and then a drink..lol etc.. Hope this works for you too..

Heh. I thought I was a retard for being such a slow eater. I may be able to offer you some advice:

1. Taste the food.
a) Feel the texture. Crunchy? Try to see how many crunches you can get in before you have to swallow. Smooth? Roll the food around in your mouth and see if you have new any tickle spots. Rough? Pretend you're blind, and see if you can feel what the food looks like without looking at it. If you're quite frustrated or angry that day, imagine the food to be your worst enemy. Torture it thoughly before you swallow. Rip apart the arms first, then the hair, then the tiny feet ... :laugh:
b) Try to realize what is so special about the food you're sampling. Have you had the dish before? Does it seem saltier, etc...
2. Eat veggies between bites -- they help you feel fuller. Even better, eat tons of veggies before you have your main course.

Bored yet?

Sunflower seeds can make a good meal. 90 grams = 500 calories (my average meal). If you eat them one at a time, it takes a long time to finish it, and I feel satiated about half-way thru. Also, this meal only costs 35 cents (when I diet, I also try to save money; I probably cut my food bill by at least $200 a month).

V8 juice is also good. Unlike orange juice, which I'm naturally inclined to drink fairly quickly, I'm naturally inclined to take small sips of the V8, and takes quite a while to finish off my 45 calorie glassful.

The speed at which you eat is just a habit, and any habit can be changed. Right now you might think of yourself as a "speed eater." It can be especially difficult to change a habit if you define yourself by it, so first, make an effort to think of yourself as a person who eats at a normal pace. This is similar to someone trying to quit smoking who thinks of themselves as a smoker.

Do you know other people who eat more slowly? Try having a meal with them and pacing their bites to yours. Watch to see how often they take a forkful, how long they chew, whether they talk while chewing, and you might notice things they do or don't do that contrast with yourself.

If you eat quickly, you may be anxious to get to the next event, or get the eating over with. Ask yourself why you're in a hurry to finish? Did you grow up in a family where you had to eat quickly to get your fair share? Do you possibly think you don't deserve to put attention on yourself?

Make eating a meal a pleasureable experience that you deserve to enjoy and you may find you won't be in such a hurry to be finished. Try sitting down at the table, setting the table, flowers or candles, make it an event in itself.

I think it is true that overall you'll eat less if you eat more slowly, but mostly you'll just enjoy it so much more.

Kathryn