Calling all "food-inhalers"

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:

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.

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

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!

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

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.

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.

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!