Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

What Are Your Best Tips For Eating Slowly?



Recommended Posts

I am still struggling with eating slow. I am 2 months out. Tell me your tricks/tips that help you slow down.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have no idea, I struggle too. I've tried having conversations, reading, house chores..nothing seems to work. I get that feeling of food being stuck alot. I have swallowing issues due to medical problems so for the life of me, I can't keep from drinking while eating. Eating is not a pleasant experience for me anymore, however,,I still want to overeat sometimes.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This is what I really need to focus on. Slowing down when eating. I find myself eating fast. When I go out with my hubby and children, I get frustrated because they eat so much and it takes them a long time to eat. I am repulsed by their eating. :( I am constantly wanting to tell my hubby to slow down, it seems as if he's shoveling one bite after another. Sorry for the rant........... :(

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I put my utensil (fork, spoon, chop sticks ...) down after each bite. I chew more than I think I should and then I assess how each bite made me feel and whether I should have another.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ha. I was struggling with this...and it super sucks to watch the clock...but I do. I read a whole feed and take a bite...read a whole feed...take a bite...comment on something...take a bite. I check the clock and look at my portion, is this a good pace__then i adjust to slower or sometimes faster because longer than a half hour on a meal is considered grazing! I hope I get used to this.

and Dorrie...I feel the same way. My husband has an appetizer and meal in the time im eating my meal. The first time we went to chilis or server abandoned us! He asked for drink orders I said no thank u and my husband got a soda, then he came back and asked for food orders, I ordered a Soup and my husband ordered his appy and meal. Someone else brought our food out and we were never helped again. A half hour after eating I order a drink to go. We left the same tip we would have left had our bill been the normal 60+bucks (it was less than 30 this time) and I left a note, whether someone is ordering ice Water or filet mignon they deserve courtesy--i mean u do work off of tips correct? Assumptions....OFF TOPIC MY BAD

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I won't have left hardly any tip at all. That was not service, just rudeness! ;)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I put my fork down after every bit and chew before swallowing. Also, when I'm at work a d eating alone, I take my iPhone with me and play a game...so I take a bite, put fork down, pick up iPhone and play a minute or two of my game before taking another bite. Takes my mind off chewing per se and spaces out my bites perfectly. Good luck.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I put my utensil (fork, spoon, chop sticks ...) down after each bite. I chew more than I think I should and then I assess how each bite made me feel and whether I should have another.

How much time in between bites? If I'm concious of what I'm doing,,really pay attention I wait about 30 seconds in between,,is this sufficient?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm guessing I wait at a minimum 30 seconds on my first couple bites. As I progress through the meal, it gets longer as after each bite, I am fuller and I am looking to gage where I am at. It takes me longer to assess what my fullness factor is towards the end of the meal.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm REALLY struggling with this, too! I do tend to go a little easier when I cut up the food into teeny bites. Then I'm more aware that I'm supposed to go slowly. I guess I'm just used to shoveling in mass quantities for the past 40 years.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was watching the Dr's Show today and they were discussing eating with our hands and how that slows us up in eating. I thought that was interesting and that is what I will be doing for now on. Eating with my hands and I am even going to play with it! That will slow me down. If it doesn't then I'll have my hubby tie my right hand behind my back! LOL ;)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I just got an hour glass timer. A little cheap one from a game. I think it is a minute, after I swallow I time myself.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am right handed... I use my Left hand to eat.. very awkward at first but forces you to go slow- I also put my fork down between bites and i chew chew chew everything until there is nothing left. It is a habit you have to learn- like no straw and no drinking with food etc.. it takes time but you will get it and then it will become 2nd nature andyou wont realize how slow you are eating....

if you are with others just listen and observe... take 1 bite for every 3-4 of theirs- you will be amazed at how little you eat and how much they eat too.. actualy pretty mind blowing...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×