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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The best trick I know is to sit down away from the tv and computer so I can really concentrate on savoring my food. One of my favorite snacks is cheese and crackers with fruit.
I have been on a major popcorn kick lately! I love sprinkling a little shredded cheese on my popcorn and microwaving it for 30 seconds or so, just long enough to melt the cheese… yum!
I love a hard boiled egg with a laughing cow cheese!
Not reading while eating has slowed my food consumption down
Cheese and crackers!
My favorite snack is an apple with almond butter. Mmmm!
Apples with laughing cow cheese seem to top my list all Fall long!
I take a yoga class and then go home to have a relaxing breakfast.
I try and eat all my meals at the kitchen table.
I LOVE black bean hummus and almond crackers! It’s my go to snack! It’s easy to get together in the mornings before work and always leaves me satisfied! I make it a point to take a break at snack time by walking a lap around the building I work in before enjoying. I also never eat at my desk! It does wonders for me.
I close my eyes and try to chew slowly!
My favorite snack is definitely any kind of cheese or yogurt! My roommate and I go through dairy products like it’s nobody’s business :-/
Try to eat with other people and have a conversation between bites 🙂
This might be gross but I love cottage cheese. No only does it have a ton of protein in it but there are so many fun things to do with it. I like to put cocoa and honey in it or sometimes just spaghetti sauce, or sometimes cinnamon and sugar. The only downfall is the sodium in it but it’s still one of my favorite snacks and it gets my sweet tooth out!
I really like apples with peanut butter! Easy and Delicious.
I love so many different snacks, but a current favorite is Mrs. May’s Crispy Veggie Crisps. I love the fact that they’re healthy, but still salty and crisp. Yum!
My favorite snack is definitely almond butter on a slice of olive bread. It’s a weird combo, but delicious!
I used to be a fast eater also, but I found that having a big glass of water with my meal and taking sips in between bites really helps! that reminds me to put my utensil down as well. Also, taking smaller bites helps me slow down and savor!
I make sure I wait to put any food in my mouth until I’m seated!
I have two favorite snacks right now: a honeycrisp apple (love them thistime of year!) and/or a mix of cashews, dried cherries, and banana chips.
One of my tricks to savoring my food more is to make it look as appetizing as possible! If I start my appreciation for my food right from the beginning with how it looks, then I tend to enjoy the whole process of eating more. One of my favorite ways to do this is just throw a little bit of thinly sliced green onion on top of savory snacks/foods or a drizzle of honey or sprinkle of coconut sugar on top of sweet things!
I really admire your food photography skills Julie!
I make it a point to put away my phone and ipad while I’m eating so that I focus on the food!
I love snacks with multiple parts to them…that helps me slow down to so its not just gone in a bite!
I’m guilty of just grabbing an apple on the go, but I find if I take the time to pair it with a dollop of peanut putter (or now cream cheese!) I’m much more likely to actually enjoy snack the to the fullest!
My favorite trick is to take a moment beforehand to think about where all of the food came from – the hands and efforts that helped it get there. I don’t always do this, but when I do, it’s almost as if it tastes differently – richer – and so I take my time.
Definitely sitting at the table! I am guilty of wolfing down food otherwise. Sitting down (away from a computer, tablet, phone, tv, etc.) helps me slow down and actually enjoy whatever I’m eating 🙂 Thanks for a great giveaway!!
Love all your tips! I also like to “plan” a time to have a snack…if I know I’m going to have a treat at say 3:00, it keeps me from snacking mindlessly throughout the day.
One of my favorite snacks is putting some of Trader Joe’s speculoos cookie butter on a graham cracker, pretzel, or apple slice. It is the perfect little indulgence!
I turn off all electronics! When I eat with the TV on, I end up eating so much more than I need so it’s not only a great way to take my time and savor my food but it also prevents me from overeating!
I love snacking on cucumber and tomatoe chopped with light salt and pepper and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. I also add in some feta cheese when I have it on hand.
Thanks Julie!
Heather
I love making sure my main stash of snacks are ones that take some prep time. This helps reduce mindless snacking without paying attention to what I’m eating or how hungry I am at the time. It also forces me and my husband to eat healthier when we can put together tasty snacks instead of processed foods.
When I’m doing great with snacking it always has to do with actually being hungry! Then I reach for healthier items. I love trail mix, apples with sun butter, or homemade bread topped with jelly. When I’m not doing so well a lot of chocolate makes its way into my snacks.
Ever since bringing healthier snacks to work, like nuts or sliced veggies, I am much more conscious of snacking than when I was simply grabbing something from a vending machine.
My favorite snack right now is a big juicy honey crisp apple with almond butter! So good!
I try to drink a cup of water beforehand and then sips of water while I eat my snack…it helps me remember to slow down.
I’ve been on a granola kick lately! So so tasty. Any kind of fruit also does the trick for me 🙂
I definitely have to remind myself to remove all technology when eating – TV, phone, tablet – and then I truly enjoy every bite!
I am also a culprit of eating while working at the computer, or snacking standing up at the kitchen counter. One of my favourite snacks to make is trail mix, and it’s easy for me to slow down with that one because i can eat it piece by piece. Other favourites are sweet potato with almond butter, apples with cheese slices and yogurt with berries and granola!
i try to slow down while eating by drink plenty of water during meals. Often I’m thirsty, not hungry, and it also helps me put some time in between scarfing my food down so I can realize when I’m actually full!
I sit down at the table no matter what I am eating and make sure to really enjoy each and every bite!
My favorite snack is coconut chobani mixed with a little almond butter and chocolate chips…I also always try to make my food then sit somewhere else to eat it. Although I am very guilty of eating and watching TV!
Taking the time to make good food and assemble it nicely on a plate encourages me to slow down and enjoy it. Because I put the effort into making it and into arranging it on the plate, I tend to savor it more.
My go to snack (especially after runs) is a banana and some form of nut butter! Sometimes I’ll make it into a sandwich and microwave it :o)
Drimking tea with my snacks is definitely my go to at work. I always feel more full when i enjoy a cup of tea with my food!
I really enjoy an apple or banana with peanut butter, laughing cow cheese with celery or almonds! I am also a very fast eater and queen of counter top eating. It’s hard when you eat by yourself to not eat at the counter (or in bed) 🙂 I force myself to turn off the tv, phone, etc. and actually sit at the kitchen table. Cute plates and utensils don’t hurt either!
Lately, I’ve been loving Honeycrisp apples (great in the fall in Illinois!) with almond butter! Such a great treat after a good workout, too!
Hummus with carrots and pita chips is my go to snack!
Taking the time to sit at the table without any electronic distractions helps me slow down. I love a hard boiled egg and some fresh fruit as a snack.
I try to sit down to enjoy snacks and meals and eliminate distractions like tv, phone, etc. Then I take a few deep breaths before I begin my meal to bring me to the moment.
Hey, huge fan! My favorite snack right now is ryvita crackers with capers, smoked salmon and cream cheese or some mixed nuts with raisins and chocolate. These snacks keep me full & energized for hours.
I eat really fast, and I try to actually chewing my food more times than normal and taking a break between bites. I like your putting down the fork idea!