Learning to chew and eat slower?

[Sooz 0]

Though i am still pre-band I am trying to be more aware of my bad habits. I eat fast and often swallow before my food is thoroughly chewed. Even when I make a conscious effort not to swallow so quickly it's like I am on auto-pilot, and the half-chewed bite is sliding done my throat.

Does this ever get easier? I mean, like second nature?

[elcee 3,340]

It tends to get easier once you have been stuck! It also helps if you don't allow yourself to get too hungry as that is when we tend to rush our food and have problems.

[atgoalgal 0]

This does get easier after you are banded because you tend to be very aware of the consequences. It is great that you are practicing now. If you are not doing this already, practice putting your fork down between each bite, and count how many times yo chew each bite - aim for at least 20 chews between bites. My LAP-BAND® mentor and I wrote an article about preparing for LAP-BAND® surgery for people interested in practicing eating like a banded person before surgery, that you may be interested in at:

http://www.bandedliving.com/public/Preparing_for_Lap_Band_Surgery__Practice_by_Eating_Like_a_Banded_Person.cfm

Let me know if this helps.

Edited July 3, 2010 by atgoalgal

[Jess55 97]

I really hope it does. I too have been trying to eat slower and chew more as my doctor reccomended. But like the OP I tend to eat fast and not chew well. I have swallowed large bites and been like if I do this after surgery it is bound to get stuck like I have read other post about. I am really trying though.

[kagead 0]

I was banded 3 weeks ago. My band is empty and I have no restriction whatsoever (hello bandster hell!)

Imagine my surprise when I discovered that I get the lovely shoulder pain so many before me have mentioned when I eat too fast. It happens immediately and the only way to ease it is to stop eating for a few minutes until it passes and then slow waaayyyyyyy down after that.

In a weird way, I'm glad it's there!

kagead

[Cocoabean 430]

I tried practicing before banding, also. But without the feedback from the band it is difficult.

Do your best to practice, but after banding and a few stuck episodes, it becomes more habit. Although after more than two years, if I don't pay attention, I sometimes slip back to old habits. But now the band tells me I did a dumb thing.

Best wishes!

[Sooz 0]

Gloria/atgoalgal and other tipsters, thanks.

I checked that link and have already incorporated a few of the "eat like a bandster" tips. I haven't had soda for weeks, and have no intention of drinking calories except for Protein drinks. My favorite non-carbonated beverage is Crystal lite lemon tea.

I think I am going to have a pretty good handle on everything but the auto-pilot swallowing still kind of scares me. I'm going to try not to get ahead of myself here, and just go by what you all say about waiting until banded and having it all come together.

[atgoalgal 0]

Gloria/atgoalgal and other tipsters, thanks.

I checked that link and have already incorporated a few of the "eat like a bandster" tips. I haven't had soda for weeks, and have no intention of drinking calories except for Protein drinks. My favorite non-carbonated beverage is Crystal lite lemon tea.

I think I am going to have a pretty good handle on everything but the auto-pilot swallowing still kind of scares me. I'm going to try not to get ahead of myself here, and just go by what you all say about waiting until banded and having it all come together.

Hi Sooz,

It's great that you are learning all you can ahead of time. There is nothing like going in with your "eyes wide open" Glad you found some of the ideas in the article helpful. Keep us posted.

[Nean4488 1]

I tried doing the same thing before surgery, it lasted like a few bites haha.

I have 6cc in a 10cc band and I am still able to eat anything and I dont cut my food into small bites and chew tons of times but I do stay full for the amount of time I should be, i eat a lot less and I am losing the weight!

Before I got banded I hated the fact that I had to eat the way most bandsters do, but I was willing to do it for the weight loss! Now that I am banded I am pretty happy that I dont have to eat like that, im not saying this will last forever, but I am enjoying it while I can!

Dont focus so much on changing the way you eat right now, everyone is different and once you get the band it will force you to eat that way if you have to!

[nomorejellybelly 77]

I'm hoping to get banded in August. I go for required evaluations/tests next Tuesday and hopefully will get the go ahead. I've been trying practice chewing bites more and putting my fork down between bites.

[Cocoabean 430]

I tried doing the same thing before surgery, it lasted like a few bites haha.

I have 6cc in a 10cc band and I am still able to eat anything and I dont cut my food into small bites and chew tons of times but I do stay full for the amount of time I should be, i eat a lot less and I am losing the weight!

Before I got banded I hated the fact that I had to eat the way most bandsters do, but I was willing to do it for the weight loss! Now that I am banded I am pretty happy that I dont have to eat like that, im not saying this will last forever, but I am enjoying it while I can!

Dont focus so much on changing the way you eat right now, everyone is different and once you get the band it will force you to eat that way if you have to!

Nean,

Sounds like you have perfect restriction for where you are at now! Awesome!!

Keep up the good work!