Tips on eating slower

[Nonnaof4 54]

Hi Everyone,

I love reading everyone's journey! I have just started mine, have my first appointment on the 27th. I've been doing lots of reading and research. One question I have for you is what tricks did you use to slow down your eating? This is going to be one of my challenges for sure. I catch myself eating to fast all the time and I know this will be a huge problem post surgery. Any tips are greatly appreciated!

Thank you

[Jobber 321]

This is one of those things that I still struggle with. It burned me, though. I was rushing trying to get out the door the other day and just crammed some turkey lunch meat down my stupid throat and ran out the door. I thought I was going to die right there on my front lawn. I was actually scared and thought I should try to make myself throw up.

Long story short, I'm 3 months post-op and I still haven't figured out how to slow it down, I spent the first 4 decades of my life speed eating garbage that it's really hard to break this habit, even with healthy food. My advice would be to really make an effort, when you're just out of surgery up until 2 or 3 months out, your body will force you to slow down.

[Nonnaof4 54]

2 minutes ago, Jobber said:

This is one of those things that I still struggle with. It burned me, though. I was rushing trying to get out the door the other day and just crammed some turkey lunch meat down my stupid throat and ran out the door. I thought I was going to die right there on my front lawn. I was actually scared and thought I should try to make myself throw up.

Long story short, I'm 3 months post-op and I still haven't figured out how to slow it down, I spent the first 4 decades of my life speed eating garbage that it's really hard to break this habit, even with healthy food. My advice would be to really make an effort, when you're just out of surgery up until 2 or 3 months out, your body will force you to slow down.

First congratulations on your surgery! Thank you. This is one of my biggest worries. I'm going to work hard on this during these lead up months. (I say this after woofing down my salad for lunch )

[Healthy_life2 8,319]

[ms.sss 14,634]

I timed my bites with the timer on my watch, and still do (I'm 7.5 months post op). In the earlier months it was about 15 mins minimum between 1-2 bites. Now I do 7-10 minutes between every 4-5 bites.

Oh, and put down your fork/spoon/whatever between bites. And in the beginning, eat at the table and not in front of a screen or on the go to get yourself into the habit of slowing down.

Edited June 17, 2019 by ms.sss

[delfie 81]

This is hard for me too! I don't have any great tips, but when I eat too fast it feels like it gets stuck in my throat, which is very unpleasant. And I try to remember this when eating to slow down. But I've been eating too fast my entire life and it is a difficult habit to break.

[Nonnaof4 54]

Thank you for all the tips. Keep up the great work everyone!!

[mousecat88 2,279]

I still struggle with this - which inevitably leads to me getting foamies/vomiting. Now I am trying to be more conscious of watching the clock. It really only happens when I am eating snacky stuff like Protein chips. It's hard to break the habit of just snacking on chips like you would have pre-op. I need a timer that dings like every minute to signal I can have 1 chip at each minute mark or something. lol.

[gabybab 696]

I have trouble with eating fast and have to work on this every day. I take a bite and do not pick up my utensil till 20 second after I swallow. It's a big improvement from before. Eating quicker doesn't seem to affect me, but all the sudden I get a "better stop" feeling. I've even had to spit out food. But, I haven't thrown up once.

[FluffyChix 17,409]

Eating with a cocktail fork REALLY slows you down.

Also eating with chopsticks slows you down.

Also eating with your opposite hand.

Also having a conversation at the table with family helps you pause and put your fork down between each bite.

Also, don't pre-load your fork with the next bite until you've thoroughly chewed, savored and swallowed the bite in your mouth and you've enjoyed a bit of conversation at the table.

[ms.sss 14,634]

9 minutes ago, FluffyChix said:

Also eating with your opposite hand.

Ooooh. This is a good one...never thought of it!

[SteveT74 359]

I really don't think eating too fast is really going to be much of an issue for your (at least not as much as you think). During the first few weeks/months post op, you'll eat slowly--because if you don't you're feel like total crap and puke. Maybe you'll do that once or twice and you'll change your behavior to avoid the consequences. Later on--after you heal--and are able to eat normal food, eating fast won't cause you to feel sick--then it's the same as it is now. You need to change your behavior so you can recognize when you're full and not eat so quickly that your brain doesn't have time to register what's going on in your stomach. This is just something that takes practice. If you're a fast eater, it's also something you may screw up from time to time. You'll be ok though. You need to follow the rules, but if you screw up a few every now and then--no biggie. It's only when you ignore them altogether that you will have significant problems.

[elcee 3,340]

I don’t eat particularly slowly. As the poster above says the reason is mainly so that you know when you are full and don’t overeat. I know my portion size, I dish my meals into small bowls or a side plate and eat at my normal pace. I haven’t had an issue, I know when I’ve had enough

[Nonnaof4 54]

Lots of great suggestions!! I love the chopstick idea. It takes me five minutes to pick up 1 piece

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