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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I am just like you Julie and WOLF through all my meals! Oddly enough, I find distractions, whether it be a conversation with my boyfriend or a good book, slows me down and helps me savor my food a bit longer!
I can’t help but snack on pepperoni – it’s such an easy, quick, delicious snack. I also do those 100 calorie packs of nuts if I’m feeling healthy. 🙂
I have a hard time with dinner or things that are supposed to be hot because I like my food hot. Usually if I’m eating with someone I can chat and slow down or if it’s a good people watching scenario that helps too.
one of the ways I try to savor snack time or my time around the table with family/friends is to engage in conversation with them. It slows down how fast I eat and I get some good quality conversations in with the people around me. Instead of just inhaling my food and not paying attention to what’s around me! haha
I try to put down whatever eating utensil I’m using in between bites! -it’s tough!
If I’ve decided to treat myself to something like chips or M&Ms I like to eat them with my left hand (my non-dominant hand). You really notice how many times you reach for more and how often!
Drinking lots of water with all meals and snacks helps me slow down!
Apple slices with almond butter will always be my go-to snack! Quick, easy and filling!
My go to snack is a handful of roasted chick peas! It’s a perfect on the go snack when I’m running all over my college campus. I love to spice them up with hot pepper flakes and add a bit of garlic salt. So delicious!
M y favorite snack would something that is sweet and salty or something that is creamy. I try to remember to slow down and enjoy it (instead of scarfing it down), by chewing it thoroughly and savoring the flavor and textures. This is an awesome give away and one that hubby would love too since he would love the teapot.
My favorite snack lately is roasted garlic hummus with veggies. I love Laughing Cow cheese with with veggies also!
Putting away your electronics is a must! My favorite snack (and basically one of my vices) is Stacy’s pita chips with hummus. It’s like an afternoon treat that never gets old 🙂
I like to exchange events of my day with my boyfriend over dinner. While he talks, I eat. While I talk, he eats! Favorite snack right now is the seasonal Pumpkin Pie Yopliat with 2 Tbls of Reddi Whip!
Disconnecting from my computer, TV, and phone while eating definitely helps me slow down and enjoy my meal, even though it is tough to do sometimes. I also drink a lot of water in between bites.
We went apple and grape (I know!) picking last week and have an over-abundance of AMAZING fresh fruit, so I’ve found myself snacking on chopped apple, a handful of grapes, and some sort of cheese. A little bit sweet, so delicious, and a lot of staying power to get me through the afternoon. I’m sure the apple would be great with some LC Cheddar – I’m off to the store!
I am definitely someone that has a tea with my snacks, helps me slow down and realize what I’ve eaten, what a wonderful giveaway!
I love snacking on peanut butter and honey wheat pretzels!
I love making up a mini cheese plate with fresh fruit, cheese, and crackers. This tricks my brain into thinking I’m eating something fancy, and then I tend to enjoy it more and relax a little longer!
Great tips! I try to share a snack with someone. It gets us talking about what we’re eating!
I eat really fast, too. One of my favorite snacks is a banana and pb/ab.
I think the best things for me to do to slow down is turn off the tv, read while I’m eating or, like you, drink some tea or coffee. I find that drinking tea/coffee fills me up so my snack not only takes longer to eat but it also keeps me fuller longer so I don’t walk back into the kitchen 30 mins later!
My favorite snack is Greek yogurt or hummus with carrots
I have found that I will slow down while eating if I make sure our family eats at the dinner table. We aren’t in front of the TV as well and we are talking more with each other.
I try to drink water (or wine!) in between bites to help myself slow down. And I remind myself that meals are about conversation and not just food!
My best savoring your snack tip is definitely to sit down, away from distractions, and drink water alongside makes me eat slower too!
My favorite snack [that I pretty much have EVERY DAY] is yogurt and granola!
I like to read while I eat!
My favorite snack is an apple with almond butter!
I always try and make a conscious effort to drink a glass of water with my meals! It helps me slow down if I take a break from my food and take a sip of water :).
I love to snack on a banana and a tablespoon g natural peanut butter. Or if I am looking for something on the go I like to grab Lara bar. Or some homemade veggie chips!! The best trick that helps me slow down, is to really savor each bite and to try and separate all the flavors!
I used to be one who could clear a plate in minimal time but I’ve learned if I have a glass of lemon water with me as I eat, meal time lasts so much longer!
My favorite snack is pretzels with peanut butter, pretzels with cheese, pretzels with ANYTHING! 🙂
I am a tea drinker and I too tend to slow down and enjoy what I’m eating if I’m having it with a hot mug of tea. I also try not to grab food when I’m walking out the door…I will almost always grab something unhealthy and I won’t even taste it when I’m eating on the run.
If I sit at a table without my phone I slow down so many of my meals are eaten on the couch in front of the tv. I need to sit at the table more often.
I love to savor by sometimes just being grateful for the food I am about to eat, and thinking about either who prepared it or where the food must have come from. Anything to stay in the moment, really.
I used to always wolf down my meals, but lately I’ve been able to slow down! I’ve found that if I eliminate distractions (especially TV) while eating, and put my utensils down and take a sip of water between bites, I can spend more time enjoying my food. I spend a while making my dinners, so I might as well enjoy them too! 🙂
Hi, Julie – I agree with you about stepping away from the electronics. I tend to work on the computer a lot, but stepping away definitely helps me to focus on each bite and how it tastes. Also, having someone to eat and converse with helps to slow me down and enjoy my meal as well!
I am a sucker for straight up peanut butter and carrots. I don’t know why, but, they are a tasty and strange combination.
To savor my snack, I try to drink a cup of water while I’m eating. It helps to slow things down and remind me not to ravenously chow down my food in record-breaking time.
I literally close my eyes and try to taste the individual flavors! When I remember to do this, the food is even more delicious!
I’m trying to force myself to slow down when eating by putting my fork down between bites….I tend to eat very quickly when I get home because I’m so hungry
My favorite snack is an english muffin with peanut butter and bananas on top! YUM
I live by myself, so a lot of food time happens to be on the couch. I’ve recently implemented a new rule; all meals must be eaten at the table. No tv, no phone, no computer. It helps me recognize cues easier as well (still hungry, too full, I’m thirsty, etc.)
I agree with all this! I try and remind myself to slow down and enjoy my food more. I read somewhere that nothing tastes as good or is as satisfying to us as the first bite. So I try to make my other bites matter and not mindlessly eat!
A good way to slow down is while the food is in your mouth focus on all the different flavours and textures! When i have a juicy mango for a snack i taste the juicy flesh, the sweet/sour tang and the nutrients breakdown so they can infuse into my cells! 🙂
I track everything I eat with my fitness pal and have been trying to slow down while eating. It’s so tough to slow down on this go go go culture!
Can’t beat a snack of PB and apples!! I
My favorite snack is homemade trail mix or fruit + nut butter
I am in medical school and feel like I’m studying all the time, so I use snack time as a a break and really savor it. It’s definitely something I look forward too, especially when it’s a fun snack I’ve prepared, like the examples above, and not just another granola bar. Thanks for the giveaway!
I love plain Greek yogurt!!! Mmm. Love savoring each bite, and usually a few bites with the spoon turned upside down! 🙂
im a very fast eater! i always finish before my boyfriend… like he was starting to eat and i was finishing up! haha but i slow down my coffee time snack compared to other meals of the day.. its because i sit down with coffee and some sweets and i savor every bite 🙂
A snack hodge podge of grapes, nuts, and cheese is my favorite!