Any tips for eating slower?

littleprole

I have a bad habit of scarfing my food. I know I end up eating more because there's not enough time for my brain to tell my stomach I'm full!

Does anyone have any easy to follow tips for eating slower? I know it'll be a hard habit to break.

erickirb

Putting your fork/spoon down between bites will slow you down.

smuehlbauer

If you're right handed, eat with your left. Or vice versa.
Set your fork down between bites.
Make them bites and not mouth fulls.
Sit down at a table to eat.

littleprole

I like the idea of eating with the opposite hand. Sounds like I'll have to eat slow or I'll end up with my lunch in my lap :laugh:

Congrats on quitting smoking BTW. I'm 2 weeks in cold turkey and couldn't be happier.

4lafz

Turn TV off, sit at a table and enjoy your food...... and yes, my mother used to say put the fork down between bites and chew!

FoamyRiver

Great question! I've always been a fast eater. I'm going to try to start eating with my left hand since I'm right handed.

I recently realized that I tend to put the next bite in my mouth before I have even swallowed the previous bite. I've noticed I do this more with finger-type foods like grapes, chips, nuts, etc. I've tried to be more conscientious of this and make sure I've finished chewing and have swallowed the current bite before even reaching for the next bite.

pickledlilly

Eat with chop sticks, you get so frustated you'll throw the plate through the window.

rfialkiewicz

Chopsticks

Opposite hand

Read whilst you eat! Reading something will also help you slow down.

But the best one I've found is:

DON"T EAT ALONE! Talking whilst you munch will help you slow down.

Also eating with other health-conscious friends (if you have any, I appreciate that not many have a bunch of dancers for friends) helps me be more health-conscious. I'm not inclined to go "No one here knows who I am or that I'm on a diet." Accountability RAWKS! \m/

KarenBorter

Swallowing your food before you put another bite in. Putting your fork down between bites. All the suggestions are great ...

tater8589

Drink lots of water, take a drink between bites. It'll help wash down the food and make you put your fork/spoon down.

littleprole

Thanks for the tips!

amelia_atlantic

If you feel like being completely O.C.D. about it: count eat bite!

I read somewhere that to help digestion, you should chew each bite about 30 times!

abbracadabra

Put the utensils down between bites

Don't eat alone, conversation helps you slow down

chew each bite well, savor your food... it's nice to actually taste what you're eating, especially if you made it yourself

Don't drink water with meals, it helps flush your food through the stomach, making you feel less full, and may contribute to overeating. It's a hard habit to break, but definitely helps me feel full after eating.

Remember it takes at least 20 min for your brain to signal that you are full, meaning that the faster you eat, your brain can't catch up.

ssmom

I am a fast eater as well. What I do is look at the food on my plate and kinda split it in half. Once I've eaten half, I put my fork down and drink a glass of water. After I drink the entire glass of water I finish the rest.