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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My fAvorite snack is anything dipped in peanut butter or sunbittern!
I love cottage cheese for snacks!
Simple but always hits the spot my favorite snack is an apple with peanut butter or almond butter.
Sitting down and making sure to portion out my snack onto a plate (as opposed to shoveling crackers or something in my mouth from the box) helps me to slow down and savor what I’m eating. My favorite snacks are apples with peanut butter, string cheese and some wheat crackers, or a crumbled up granola bar (or homemade granola!) mixed into some greek yogurt. Yum!
I like to have a snack spread out and cut/broken into small pieces (like a snack plate with tortilla chips and a nice big veggie assortment with hummus or laughing cow) so it seems like a large amount of food and I can enjoy each piece! 🙂
But my favorite snack of late is definitely bean and rice nacho chips–too good!
I try and snack when my kids have snack so I can chat with them and they eat slow so I eat slower! 🙂
Awesome giveaway, and excellent tips! Personally, I try to take the time to sit down and turn off and put away all distractions (ahem, electronics). This helps me slow down and enjoy what I am eating. I really love the tip about the tea, though! I will definitely have to try that out 🙂
My favorite snack is carrots and hummus, I eat it pretty much every day. But I’m like you – I tend to eat too fast, especially when I’m sitting in front of the computer. Thanks for the these tips!
Turn off the TV, sit at the dinner table, and talk to my husband. I find that if I am talking to my husband, I can’t stuff my face 🙂
I have found that turning off, or ignoring, electronics works wonders for me too! It helps me to realize what I am actually eating. If I have electronics on, it’s like I don’t remember or something and then I reach for something else really soon after. And my favorite snacks are always things with high protein content, because then I feel more fulfilled, and the snack stays with me longer, making the whole thing a more enjoyable experience 🙂
I definitely try to make a plate rather than eat out of the packaging. I like to sit away from the kitchen as well!! The tea tip is a good idea…I’m going to try that.
I have been enjoying honeycrisp apples lately!
I find the best way to slow down while eating, which I really struggle with, is use water! I fill a 32 ounce bottle of water and try to see how much I can drink before the good is gone. Helps a ton!!
I do lots of snacking while I study and if I’m not mindful, next thing I know I’ve had an entire box of wheat thins and hummus! I portion things on a plate, plus I think it helps our brain and body feel satisfied when it’s laid out nicely, almost special!
I love the items you chose for a giveaway, I have one le creuset baking dish and its my prized piece of kitchenware!
I’ve been noticing lately that I have started to eat too fast and it is probably because I am always in a rush. So, to focus on eating slower I have been making sure I am away from all electronics, sitting and not standing and lastly making time to take my time and not focus on other things that need to be done!
I take a sip of water in between bites! My sister in law taught me this trick years ago. It works great and helps you hydrate which is an added bonus 🙂
I love having a cup of tea (Republic of Tea vanilla earl grey is a favorite!) with a piece of whole fruit. I get that sweet taste and it keeps me full for a while.
When I eat, I like to make my food pretty on the plate. When I eat, I want it to be enjoyable and an experience that I don’t want to rush through. It doesn’t matter if it is a snack or a a full meal, I must always sit at the dining table with T.V., phone, and electronics off. I also make sure I chew my food completely before swallowing. When my husband is home for dinner, we take our time when eating because it is our time to catch up and socialize and really enjoy and savor the food we made together or apart.
Favorite snack= frozen fruit!
Talking always helps. I honestly will order harder too eat meals and snacks…i’m know to separate PB ,M&Ms by color and then eat each by bracking off the shell pieces
I do a crossword puzzle. My snack has to last the entire time!
Love these tips! One thing I always try to do is measure out my snacks. I tend to eat straight out of a cereal box or a crackers box when I snack, not realizing how much I’m putting into my mouth. Measuring a serving size and then putting it into a bowl and closing up the box definitely helps! Also, drinking water between each bite!
I try to maintain conversation during my meals. Slows my eating down if I’m talking more!
I love eating popcorn in the afternoon, hands down my favorite snack!
Favorite snack is a sesame cracker with a laughing cow wedge and roasted turkey or a cookie dough quest bar!
I am such a fast eater, too! I try to eat frequent small meals every few hours so when I go to eat my next meal I am not stuffing it into my mouth without even tasting it! I have so many favorite snacks, but my favorites right now are plain Greek yogurt with honey and cinnamon, an apple with PB2 (but now I think I need to try the laughing cow cheese with the apple!), and kettle corn (so good! especially from the apple orchard!).
My favorite snack actually includes laughing cow! I love eat a piece of toast with laughing cow cheese (I switch up the flavor) with a sliced hard boiled egg on top. It’s delicious and nutritious!
Again,amazing giveaway! I tend to be a fast eater too. I have tried all sorts of things,even mentally counting to twenty at every bite! But the best way to stop me from wolfing down my food is to eat with company and talk throughout the meal 🙂
My favorite snack is fresh mozzerella and tomato wrapped in basil with a little balsamic glaze. Yum!
My tips for slowing down and savouring a snack are arranging in nicely on a plate and picking snacks that are satisfying! My favourite snacks are apples with cinnamon and peanut butter and wasa crackers with avocado and tomato topped with salt and pep.
My favorite snack is my newly found obsession: roasted hazelnut butter with apple slices! I try to chew each bite slowly to get out every ounce of flavor!
I’ve brought plates and forks/spoons to work and promise myself to take lunch. Sometimes, I’ll eat a yogurt while doing things at work.
I also remind myself by having dinner with friends (we each bring something healthy) and well, that takes about 100xs longer than my usual meals.
I’m a really fast eater as well so I try to set goals for how much water I want to drink by the end of each meal or snack. It helps me slow down and drink water between bites which is good for digestion and it also helps ensure I’m drinking enough water everyday… Two birds with one stone!
great giveaway! my favorite snack is an apple with crunchy peanut butter. so simple and good!
My favorite snack as of late has been vanilla greek yogurt topped with fruit and some nuts
I love all the giveaways! I tend to try to chew my food extra slowly and really taste it (when I remember to). I also have the bad habit of eating on the go while walking (I live in a city) and I totally have those moments when I think to myself – whoa, did I just eat that? I didn’t even taste it! I like the “putting the fork down” idea, too!
My favorite snacks are apples with pb, chips/pretzels with onion dip, and cheese and crackers 🙂
Some of my favorite snacks are: Apple slices with chunky (has to be chunky) peanut butter, soft-boiled eggs, and Trader Joe’s trail mix packets
My most favorite snack is either hummus/veggies or dipping apple slices in coconut greek yogurt!
My favorite snack is apples and Justin’s vanilla almond butter….. So good!!!
Apples and peanut butter or old school ants on a log!
When I can get both kids down for a nap at the same time my tendency is to snack while doing six different things at the same time. Slowing down and concentrating just on what I am eating makes a huge difference in both my satisfaction with the snack as well as relaxing during that sweet time.
My favorite healthy snacks are usually a handful of almonds, carrots with cucumbers and cherry tomatoes, or a cup of greek yogurt.
Eating with others often helps me slow down and enjoy my food… like you, I tend to inhale it if I’m on my own.
I try to eat snacks that require a little work like an orange that involves peeling or celery that requires a lot of chewing.
To slow down with my meals, I include a big pot of green tea. I just automatically slow down
while enjoying my tea. This is an awesome giveaway, Julie.
I could snack on cheese, crackers and apples with a side of golden raisins every day of the week. I try to mix in something else and the key for me is to have a plan in advance when I’m doing my weekly shopping otherwise it’ll for sure be cheese and crackers! A ripe avocado split in half with Stacey’s pitas are also a great snack and I will pack that on long flights as it is very portable and filling. To make sure I don’t eat too fast I try to eat before I’m too hungry. Usually my internal snack clock goes off before the grumbling stomach so that helps. Thanks for the cheese and cracker combo tips though! They all sound great.
This is quite stupid but when I make a meal, I split it in 2, so I will have to take a second serving, which slows me down a lot (I really don’t know why though).
My favourite snack is definitely dark chocolate pieces that I try to not chew but let melt on my tongue: takes some time !
I love to share a meal or snack with friends and chat in between every bite. It makes everything more enjoyable! Also I like choosing low calorie foods that I can have a greater quantity of…like popcorn or carrots to make the snack last longer!
My favorite snack is pretzel crisps with laughing cow cheese. I always take my time eating and put down the fork after every bite. Plus, drink as much water throughout the day as I can.
Hello! You’re such a cutie- I’ve been reading your blog for a few years now and totally am entertained by your content!
I usually like I eat with friends or family and have conversations about the food we are eating. It gives us time to savor, think about the flavors and discuss what we like about our meals. I also find that eating with chopsticks slows things down automatically- whether I like it or not! Lol
My favorite snack is peanut butter and crackers with a giant glass of milk. I slow down by not eating in front of the tv and sitting down at the kitchen table.