I have a bad habit.
It isn’t exactly harmful to my health…
…but I certainly wouldn’t consider it to be a healthy habit.
It’s a habit that I’ve had for my entire life.
(Well, maybe not that long.)
But I’ve been in denial about it.
Why?
Because I didn’t really feel like putting the effort forth to change it.
I don’t smoke.
I don’t skimp on sleep.
I floss every single night.
So, what is this bad habit of mine?
I am a really, REALLY fast eater.
…homegirl’s got nothin’ on me.
I like to blame thank my father for this habit of mine.
But it’s not his fault if I continue on with it.
I really do think I want to change now…
…because I’m pretty sure I’ll only get more stubborn with age 
It’s not that I feel the need to eat less.
I just want to enjoy and savor my food more than I do.
I mean, I put so much time into my eats, yet I only enjoy them for about 5 minutes.
…Sometimes less.
So, I need your help!
So far I’ve come up with:
- avoiding distractions while eating (i.e. TV, computer, and phone)
- only eating while sitting at the table
- focus on savoring each bite
HELP! What are your tips for breaking this eatingfasterthanlightning habit of mine?!
I have the exact same bad habit! One thing I’ve heard/read that might help (but I haven’t actually had the patience to try yet) is to take a drink of water in between each bite. Another thing that I find slows me down is to eat with someone else present, because when you chat, you can’t be shoveling food into your mouth at the same time (well, not politely anyway!)
oh girl, i am the same way. i really don’t know why i eat so fast…but i do know that i get full faster when i slow…..it……down. i think another good one (that kind of goes with savoring) is making sure you chew really well.
i know you’ve encouraged me in this!
Put your fork down between each bite! It forces you to slow down.
My sister swears by that trick
I’d count the number of times I’d chew each bite. Aim for around 25-30. It definitely slows down your intake.
This goes against the idea of eliminating distractions, but when I eat alone, I read something wonderful—a good book, or an engaging newspaper story (i.e., not work stuff). That way, when I put down my fork in between bites, I sometimes take a minute or two to pick it back up. It’s like training wheels for *actual* mindful eating—you’re still taking care to enjoy your meal!
Okay, Mr. KD is the FASTEST eater on the planet and I get so frustrated because I feel as though he is not enjoying the food! I always tell him to chew a lot and be sure to swallow everything before taking another bite. That sounds so gross, but it’s true. I’ll watch him go for another bite when he clearly isn’t done with the one before that! This is also my advice to you because I eat slow
Gracie, okay-i’m going to be completely honest here! And i’m in no way trying to criticize YOU….but, slowing down your eating habits and drinking between each bite can quickly become something obsessive and unnecessary! I know a lot of girls tend to focus sooooo much on “eating slowly” when they’re lost in some eating disorder….and there’s really a fine line! I’m thinking you should totally enjoy your meal with tv, etc if you feel like it….just focus on taking a bite and maybe putting the plate down for a second, or even the fork every so often! Just take your timeeeee! Don’t rush! But no need for the rules! You’re an awesome girl and I know this “habit” is something most of us deal with! Promise
xoxoxxo
I am a fast eater, too. I am better when I’m out to dinner because I stop to chat in between eating, but at home. I speed through my meals. I don’t know why. I want to enjoy them and I do…it’s just quick! I do try to eat at the table, but sometimes I slow down when I browsing through a magazine or something while I eat. I know it’s not the “best” way…but what is?!
If you have multiple foods on your plate, don’t just eat all of your potatoes, then all of your salad etc. I eat a little bit of salad, a little bit of broccoli then a little bit of cantaloupe. I feel like it slows it down.
Drink water after each bite…have a meal with a friend that you love to chat with!
When I was younger I ate very slowly and savored every bite - then I got married and turned into a turboo eater. Not sure what happened there … competition for food? Anywho, if I catch myself eating too fast, I set my utensils down between bites. That way I can’t shovel it in repeatedly. I have to savor at least a bit.
Sorry I don’t have any tips - I have the same problem! Ugh, I shovel the food into my mouth so fast and before I know it - my food is gone!
i have the same exact bad habit!!! i definitely got it from my mom though. my dad eats so slowly (he’s still overweight but enjoys his food) and my mom finishes her meal before us all.
my tips are: take in all the senses when you eat - focus on the visual, the smell, the sounds in your mouth, the textures on your tongue, the tastes and flavors, and how your body feels as you swallow and the food enters your tummy
drinking water and putting down the fork/spoon every few bites helps too!
I always try to put my utensil down btwn bites and really chew and focus!
I’m a naturally slooow eater to the point where I annoy my dinner companions. I’m not sure what I do but I do know that I drink a lot while eating. I’ll go through at least two glasses of water or iced tea at a meal…sometimes more. Maybe all the drinking slows down my eating.
I’m pretty fast at chompin’, too. Seems like a hard habit to break, but I think eatig’ with others at a table *might* help. But as you said, it’s not the worst habit. Though, if we eat slower, we will register that we’re full faster, which is a good thing in my opinion =]
A lot of people say put your fork down in between bites. Personally, that doesn’t work for me but you should try and see if it works for you! Also, this is kinda crazy but sometimes I pretend like I am on a first date (I don’t talk to myself or anything haha) but I think “how would I eat if a guy that made me nervous was sitting across from me?” it helps me to slow down and realize how fast I am eating because I too, INHALE my food.
Sometimes the whole notion of “savoring” our food can be too vague - to make it more productive and concrete, I try actually thinking about WHY I like (or don’t like!) the food I’m eating. I put words to the experience in my head. Sounds a bit silly, but it helps!
I’m a fast eater too (thanks Dad!)
One annoying thing to try is to put your fork down between each bite and have a sip of water. It will drive you crazy, but slow you down!
Ahhh yes, my hubs rubbed that habit off on me. No TV is great, but also sometimes just a little mental reminder to pace yourself - it’s not a race and really savor and focus on each bite of food. Enjoy your company at dinner and drink more water in-between bites.
I have had to break this habit too and it still rears its ugly head. When I was teaching I had 20 minutes to get my lunch heated, eat, and socialize with teachers. I always ended up inhaling my food. I had 5 minutes to eat my snack, talk to students, and take a potty break between classes. Those things got me into eating way too fast.
Now I do all the things you mentioned. I also will put my utensil down throughout the meal to take a full pause from eating. That is of course when I get to eat when Makenzie is napping during my lunch though. If she is up all bets are off. If I want to eat, it has to be fast.
I wanted to thank you for the post about tanning. Since I read it I cancelled my tanning membership at the gym and if I need that “healthy glow”, have decided that I will just get a spray tan instead of spending countless hours laying in what is basically a deep fryer like machine. Loving the posts thus far and can’t wait to try your chicken salad!
AHH>..yes…I am the SAME way.
I INHALE my food…I think it is cause I have so much worry, stress , etc…on my mind …that I ocnstantly am thinking, thinking about it all…so it is like everything i do is rushed as i “speed-think”…it is so ironic…i sit all day long and am so lethargic, yet my mind and mouth are speedy-gonzales.
I find that eating with somebody else and having a conversation while eating helps me slow down and enjoy my meal more. You are able to share the eating experience with somebody else and catch up at the same time.
Also, making sure you put your utinsle down between bites and having some good old H20 always helps!
I have the very opposite problem… I always get made fun of for how long it takes me to eat… I dont know how I do it actually, I get distracted a lot, but if I am focused on something else, I am not eatting… For example, If I am really into what I am watching on tv, I dont eat while watching it. I wait until a commercial to take bites, or wait for a less interesting part of the show. Now that I think about it, I am always setting my utinsels down to take a drink, use my napkin, ect, so i am sure that helps too…
Ok, it sounds a little OCD, but it does help, and I employ it when I’m STARVING to slow down the eating process. Have a clock nearby, and take a bite per minute. For the other time, read a magazine, a book, talk to someone. Then a meal takes 20-25 minutes, and you’ll be so used to taking your time that you won’t even need a clock around anymore.
I’m so bad about eating too quickly. I also have a bad habit of multitasking while eating so I don’t really focus on my food.
Eating with my left hand (I’m right-handed) really slows me down. Try that! It will definitely make you focus more and it’s hard to shovel when you’re using your “off” hand!
I used to have the same problem, but I found that it helped to set a timer and make my meal last for at least 20 minutes. In time, it just became natural.
So far I haven’t really found anything that helps… not even chopsticks do help
but if you find something, please share it!! I am almost 28 and have yet to find a magical slow-downer!
I do the same thing!! My biggest thing is to put down my fork in between bites and drink LOTS of water throughout my meals. That tends to slow me down, as well as having someone to talk to
Oh the only thing I’ve found so far: Sometimes I take a moment and really try to appreciate the nice food or the really nice company and what a great time I am having or whatever food it is that I’ve created.
This is especially easy when you are at a nice dinner with friends, laughing, having a really good time - and you can just sit back for a minute and soak it all in!!
Haha this goes exactly against what you said, but I actually find that reading blogs while I eat helps to slow me down. Especially when I have to put down my fork to comment on a post. I can easily make a meal last as long as 45 minutes! Which is actually a problem because then it gets cold.
Put your fork down between bites. Eat with your opposite hand (fork in left hand if right handed, for example).
I am a fast eater too- it’s awful. It’s not like I was born in a pack of 8 kids either- I have no excuse!
I just can’t keep reminding myself to keep chewing so much and putting my fork down (even though they are great tips by the way)…so the only thing that honestly slows me down is eating with chopsticks. That way, I don’t have to think think think about slowing down, it just HAPPENS as a matter of course.
[...] my unhealthy habit. [...]
Oh I have the exact same problem!! I pretty much inhale my food. I think it’s because I’m used to being so busy that I only give myself a small window of time to eat. I’m constanly feeling rushed through my meals and I hate it!
Some things I’ve tried: setting down the fork (or spoon) between each bite and taking a sip of water every so often.
I eat SO SUPER fast too! No idea why - my dad is possible the slowest eater on earth. For real. I try to remind myself to slow down - doesn’t always work. Taking sips of your drink in between bites does though!
I am such a faster eater too! I goggle down meals that take me so long to prepare in a matter of minutes and I always wish I had more!! I notice I eat faster when I am alone because I have no one to talk to and I try to have a drink near me. It’s not that I am trying to eat less either, I mean if food is in front of me, it is in my tummy asap!
Good luck!!
with love and cupcakes,
cookteen
I am a fast eater too and need to
learn how to savor each bite!
I seem like I am
eating
as if it’s my last meal ever- hah!
I used to be TERRIBLE at this girl!! Now i try to kind of meditate when i eat.. i know that makes me sound like some kind of FREAK! but literally every bite, i take time to think “wow this tastes so good!”
I used to inhale my food. And then be like “where’d it go?”!
Try taking a deep breath before you pick up your fork. Look at the food, appreciate it and savor each bite! Put down your fork every now and then.
I’ve heard that setting a timer, and making SURE it takes you 20 minutes to eat can really help develop the habit of eating slower. I haven’t read all of the comments, someone above me may have already mentioned this.
Also remember this it takes time! You have to break the old habit of eating fast, and then develop the new habit of eating slow. So pray for patience
Hey lady!! Don’t worry
I’m not going to start following rules, I just eat WAY too fast (I’m really not exaggerrating) and want to slow it down to enjoy the process more.
Hi Robyn!! You are so welcome!
I think you’ve made the right choice 
I LOVE looking at foodie blogs when I eat
It makes me so happy haha
cookteen