Saturday, July 19, 2008

Hold Your Horses!

Whoa, horsey!

Eating too fast is a habit that many people have problems with.

You just might be eating too fast when...
*Your family hasn't even sat down at the table and you've already consumed your entire meal.
*When you go for the next bite before you realize it is all gone.
*When in your haste you bite off part of a plastic fork and don't notice it
*When the gravy/sauce/topping is passed around and you're halfway done
*You're scooping up the next forkful with your left hand, before you've put the forkful from your right in your mouth.
*You dreamt about marshmallows and in the morning your pillow was gone!
*You set your hot dog bun on the table, grab the mustard, and 3 minutes later Fido is missing!!

(Taken from the GOAD message board)

I am guilty of eating too fast. I have eaten a whole box of Fiber One Bars on several occasions before considering the consequences. Unfortunately, this has not kept me from buying them. In fact, this week they were on sale once again "10 for $20.00." I hate sales like that. Do I really have to buy 10? Well, if I don't buy 10, I'm not saving nearly as much. I decided to try the kind that has not been available before: Strawberry with Almonds. Of course, I bought another box too.

I bought these Fiber One Bars on Thursday and it is Saturday evening and I have only eaten three. This is a huge improvement over the previous times I have purchased them. In the past, the box has not made it through the first evening. I have savored my "1 a night" and so far, so good. And on top of savoring my Fiber One Bars, I am also practicing my "Don't eat so Fast!" methods.

Some approaches to eating slower that have never worked for me:
Take a sip of water between eat forkful...
Chew your food 20 times before swallowing...
Eat a bite of eat variety of food, instead of inhaling each individual item all at once...
Be mindful of eating slowly...

Anyone else have ways to eat slowly?

13 comments:

Kate said...

First off, I wanted to send congrats to your Brewers for their stellar wins the last couple games over SF, Sabathia appears to be working out for you guys :)

Second, how do you like the new variety of Fiber One Bars? I have my eyes on the fruit based ones, but haven't picked up a box, because I haven't heard any reviews.

I'm also terribly guilty of eating to fast. I make a conscious effort to drink between bites, and eat a bite of everything, etc. These have seemed to help, but still if I'm not thinking about it, I end up devouring everything on the plate, plus the plate before I realize it lol.

WWSuzi said...

:) i bought a box today and my husband has already eaten them!!

Andrew is getting fit said...

I inhale my food. It's really annoying. I have no solutions unfortunately.

new*me said...

That was hilarious :)!
I got a couple boxes of the oats and chocolate this weekend for the kids and hubby. I am afraid it may awaken my "cookie" cravings but I allowed myself a couple bites and they are yummy. I noticed something this morning....there were 10 in the box. I gave each child one yesterday. Now there is only one...so that means hubby ate 5! Uh-oh!! He's trying to lose too but only needs to lose about 20 pounds. I hope I haven't awakened the beast :)

My trick to not eating too fast is just to never get to that starving point...little meals or snack in between meals helps me to slow down at mealtimes.

Kathy said...

I try the "counting the chews" method and it works as long as I think about it, but I am easily distracted!

the Bag Lady said...

The Bag Lady is a slow eater. She's almost always the last one to finish. Maybe it isn't that she's so slow, but that she has more on her plate than anyone else.....nah, that can't be it!

Another trick is to lay your fork down in between each bite. It helps to makes you more aware of how quickly you are eating.

Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my blog!

Anonymous said...

I'm an inhaler as well. I spent my mid-teens and early twenties working in the restaurant biz which was a big contributor. Also, the place I've worked for the last 23 years only gives us 30 minutes for lunch, which really isn't enough time for a leisurely meal especially when you're competing with others for the microwave or waiting in line at the company cafeteria.

Anonymous said...

Keep getting up and getting Elizabeth something to drink.. then eat a little. then get Caryn something to drink.. the eat a little.. then get TW something to drink.. then eat a little.. then get Alex something to drink.. then eat a little.. by then it is time to get Elizabeth seconds... Love Ya!

kborn said...

Your blogging about these "fiber one bars" got my curiousity. Compared to the other bars out there, I think they're far tastier and healthier. However, I found one to be really sweet, so I definitely have not had the urge to grab for a second. In fact, when we first tried them, M & I split it. Regardless, it is a great way to curb the desire to grab for the second soda of the day!

ArleneWKW said...

One a day is an excellent way to go. For myself, I find that all long as I'm consistent with the one a day, I'm fine. Once I let loose the reins, I find it almost impossible to regain control.

I'm a slow eater, but that doesn't stop me from going and going and going (like the Energizer Bunny) on a binge.

Anonymous said...

nothing to add

just here to read the comments :)
Im a fast eater.

*sigh*

john - from fat to fit said...

Chopsticks works for me, although I have yet to take the plunge and bring them to a non-asian restaurant.

new*me said...

I got the box today full of goodies! How fast was that?!! Thank you so much! come visit me at my blog...you have been awarded :)