Calling all "food-inhalers"

HeidiRene

I eat faster than anyone I know. It's embarrassing sometimes. Has anyone had any success changing this bad habit?

emfilomena

I try to be conscious of what I'm eating at all times, but obviously I make mistakes sometimes and "inhale" food as well. When I'm conscious of what I'm eating, I try to enjoy the flavor, texture, all of it. I make sure to CHEW thoroughly instead of shoving it into my mouth and swallowing (that also makes for digestive problems, be careful and chew your food). Sometimes I'll count how many times I chew, other times I'll chew until I feel satisfied.

Do not eat in front of the TV. You are bound to inhale, not pay attention to portions (let's say it's a party platter, bag of chips, etc), and not fully enjoy your food. Conscious eating is SMART eating!

There are times when I feel famished and grab one of my Luna bars, finishing it in a few minutes. We all have those moments!

Teaching yourself that eating food can be an enjoyable, sensational experience and not something to shove down your throat and be done with has helped me from inhaling everything in sight. :laugh:

BlooQKazoo

Ugh, that'd be me.

Though I still struggle with this, I try to implement a few tips here and there if I'm eating around civilized company.

- Eat with my opposite hand (makes it more difficult, i.e. slower).
- Put down my fork every time (it gets awkward to constantly put it down and pick it up again, so you eat slower so as not to look like a freak).
- Pretend that someone might ask you a question (so you'll take smaller bites in preparation to answer).
- Take a drink every three bites (and don't pick up the cup until you've swallowed whatever's in your mouth).
- Concentrate on posture and everything (it's harder to shovel it all in if you're worried about sitting up straight).

And basically just trying to chew longer and talk more. Haha! Good luck!

Therdigh

OMG, the other day I was eating and suddenly I asked myself " why are you eating this like someone is going to come in and take the plate away". I mean I have always been a fast eater, and since going back to school it has gotten worse. Eating while driving is another thing that I am trying not to do. I know this is not good. I sometimes think if it tastes good I should feel guilty so maybe I am trying to get rid of the evidence. Who knows, but I am trying to slow it down and I guess that's all that matters.

penney88

I'm a quick eater, and always have been!
Ive been recently feeding my daughter and myself at the same time, which slows me down because I have to stop and feed her.
But when shes eating finger foods I try and put my fork down or take a sip of water every few bites.

chrisdavey

If it's something you can eat with a spoon, do it left handed

dusty8907

Yea i can pretty much eat faster than most i know but that dont keep me from sticking to my diet. I just male sure to prep meals beforehand and portion them accordingly. In the end though i still cram it down my gullet like
Its nothing. Lol

callingbatonrouge

I like the idea of eating with the oposite hand! I have always been a quick eater - even as a child. More recently I have been realising that I eat so quickly that I can not even remember what the food tasted like - weird habit!

nalfavi

I used to inhale, and sometimes I still do when I'm starving, but I don't let myself get to that point anymore. What helped me was counting the number of times I chewed, and chewing at least 10 times. It's a chore at first, but then you get used to it. I know it sounds silly, but it works I'm OCD as well, so counting was right up my alley xD

nisemac

try eating with chopsticks. it will slow you down and limit the amount you can pick up.

Zichu

I tend to eat faster when watching TV lol. I follow after my Dad, just wolf it down before it get's nicked.

I tend to eat slower if I am playing video games or something, yes I play video games, but it seems to slow me down when I'm eating.

If you aren't into video games, try what other people suggested, chop sticks, teaspoons, counting. If it works for them, pretty sure it could work for you.

TurnLeftNow

Sometimes I have to tell myself to breathe. I will be eating really fast and I will just have to take a second to stop and remind myself to slow down. I will put my fork down for a minute and just chew whatever I am eating. I'll take a few breaths, maybe drink some water, and then take another bite.

Putting the fork/spoon down while you chew helps a lot. Breathing, focusing on the food, chewing slowly, and being aware of things are good ways to slow down.

It takes a bit of practice, but it is possible.

vonnywaft

I work a lot with people with eating disorders and find mindful eating a useful concept regardless of the nature of the eating disorder, have a look at this site for an intro to mindful eating.
http://www.tcme.org/principles.htm

kirstand

I do that too...and when I'm finished scoffing it down I sometimes think I havn't eaten at all, or I'm looking around for the other half of my meal!
i walk and eat, drive and eat, watch tv and eat, type and eat + work and eat...
If I'm out in company I can easily eat slowly...probably because I'd look like a pig in front of them otherwise!
I havn't found a cure apart from not letting yourself get over-hungry or stressed.

Peta22

Yup... That's me! And I seem to eat more than almost anyone I know... Frequently eating twice as much as my husband. Your right - it is embarrassing but I just have a voracious appetite when I'm happy and healthy. However, as soon as my mental or physical health declines at all I can eat for love or money - just can't hold anything down. Needless to say my weight is very variable. Hence why I'm here... Trying to learn control! :happy:

sarahrichards81

I also 'inhale'. I find that I have to eat things that are difficult to eat/get on the fork. A sandwich will whoosh down my neck but a salad with lots of different ingredients takes much longer. As someone else said, chopsticks are a brilliant way of slowing down the speed (especially if you are as incompetent with them as I am). I also find I eat slower if I'm with people I don't always eat with - when it's my boyfriend and I who see each other all the time then I eat really quickly, with people I see less often I try to converse more. I do try to use this technique where I think of a story/event that I want to tell my other half about over dinner which does help me slow down alot as I'm pausing between mouthfuls. It doesn't always work though!

I blame my parents - first to finish in our house always got first pick of the leftovers!

Shannon2714

Yup...me too! My entire family does it. I've been trying to pay attention to what I'm doing and slow down, but it's a hard habit to break. I've been putting my utensils down between bites, that seems to be helping a little bit....I guess it's all about determination....

Good Luck!!!! :-)