Slow eating

[lroever 15]

So for the last 30 years I've always ate fast. Since deciding to get the surgery I've been definitely chewing my food extra good and have slowed down I just dont think its slow enough. Any suggestions to slow it down even more?

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[liveaboard15 1,294]

I mean chew slower and more. The rate you are doing it now... Go slower. But i dont think the speed of the chew is a issue... The issue is chewing... Dont matter really the speed of it. As long as you are chewing sufficiently and not eating fast. Chew chew chew, swallow... wait a little and do it again and again. i normally eat my meals in 5 minutes or less... my booklet the surgeon gave me says take 30 minutes or more per meal.

[lroever 15]

I mean chew slower and more. The rate you are doing it now... Go slower. But i dont think the speed of the chew is a issue... The issue is chewing... Dont matter really the speed of it. As long as you are chewing sufficiently and not eating fast. Chew chew chew, swallow... wait a little and do it again and again. i normally eat my meals in 5 minutes or less... my booklet the surgeon gave me says take 30 minutes or more per meal.

I've got from eating in 10 minutes to 20 minutes. Ive been told to make it 30. I just have to learn to stop and wait a minute in between.

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[lizonaplane 1,613]

Put your fork down between each bite. That's the easiest way to slow down. Only after you've swallowed your food should you start to cut/pick up your next bite. Take small bites.

You will learn once you have surgery because you will be in pain if you eat too fast. I'm six months out and I still have trouble with it occasionally.

[Tony B - NJ 644]

After 6 months I still struggle with this. Especially if I am out with others at dinner or lunch. I get involved in conversation and eat at the pace everyone else is at. I really have to slow down, count 30 chews, put my fork down between bites and take my time. I think time does matter as much as how much it is chewed up, for me atleast. I think I have to give the food time to work itself down into the stomach. When I go too fast, I get sick and either throw up, or honestly, I feel so bad I induce vomiting to get it out. It is a work in progress.

[lizonaplane 1,613]

I don't count chews. I tried chewing a LOT and it was so gross and sucked all the joy out of eating. I tend to stick to things that are easier to eat - ground meat dishes, fish, etc.

I think you will have to see whether counting chews works for you or whether it's better to try other strategies.

[LaTiaV 111]

I am having problems slowing down too, all the doctors blame my discomfort to the fact that I eat too fast.

One of the issues is that I do not want to eat cold food, especially when I am eating a Soup or mushy food, I found that using paper plates keeps the food warm a little longer but I have to microwave it again during a meal, what do you guys do about it?

[lizonaplane 1,613]

32 minutes ago, LaTiaV said:

I am having problems slowing down too, all the doctors blame my discomfort to the fact that I eat too fast.

One of the issues is that I do not want to eat cold food, especially when I am eating a Soup or mushy food, I found that using paper plates keeps the food warm a little longer but I have to microwave it again during a meal, what do you guys do about it?

You can get a warmer (designed for coffee mugs) that you can place your food on to keep it warm. I would think a ceramic bowl would be better for keeping heat in because it's more insulating.

I hate eating cold food too. I use containers that are the size of my small servings, not huge plates that have a lot of room for air to dissipate. Like, you could use a smaller mug for Soup. I use small fake tupperware to heat up my meals and then just eat from there. It's also less depressing - if I put food in a big plate/bowl, my serving looks so pathetic.

[LaTiaV 111]

1 hour ago, lizonaplane said:

You can get a warmer (designed for coffee mugs) that you can place your food on to keep it warm. I would think a ceramic bowl would be better for keeping heat in because it's more insulating.

I hate eating cold food too. I use containers that are the size of my small servings, not huge plates that have a lot of room for air to dissipate. Like, you could use a smaller mug for Soup. I use small fake tupperware to heat up my meals and then just eat from there. It's also less depressing - if I put food in a big plate/bowl, my serving looks so pathetic.

Oh thanks,

I think I have a yeti cup somewhere in my kitchen I will see if it is still there. I did not think about that one.

[Spinoza 1,526]

I have to reheat all the time too - especially soup! I know I still eat too fast and I know I don't chew enough but I get so hungry I just wolf everything down or at best remember halfway through to stop and wait. My stomach has tolerated everything so far - I've had mild discomfort when I ate steak without chewing enough but it passed in a few minutes. I do eat little and often though - probably the most Protein I've had so far is half a (big) chicken thigh or a quarter of a chicken breast. I am so afraid of stretching my pouch (I know, I know) that I'd rather do it that way for now.

[ShoppGirl 5,076]

I literally had to sit and watch the clock second hand in order to eat slow as they expected. Fortunately I was not one of the people that the speed of my eating caused me any discomfort. I do still measure my food though and eat slow if it’s something I’ve never had just so I don’t eat past full.

[Arabesque 7,623]

Oh, yeah @Tony B - NJ, eating out or eating with others can be challenging. I too find myself eating at their pace sometimes & then suffered the side effects of doing so. It really has to be a conscious thing to pause between bites & take small bites. I’ve learnt to do things like put the cutlery down & sit back in my chair. Wait for whoever is speaking to finish & then take my next bite. I do tend to stop eating or only take another bite or two when the others finish. Can’t overeat that way.

I quite happily take 30-60mins to eat a meal when at home. My meals are larger now of course but I employ the same tactics. I don’t chew to excess. I just take smaller bites. I cut my meat before staring to eat into bite size pieces (small cubes). I’ll also wait for an ad break or a scene change, read a couple of pages, play a game on a device between bites. I should explain I live alone so I’m not being rude. I also keep an eye on the time & slow down if I’m going to fast. Oh, & as I’ve said many times before on other posts, I ask myself if I need the next bite or just want it.

I don’t mind too much if my food gets cold except it can make the meat dry. If it bothers me, I’ll just zap it in the microwave for a few seconds. Easy.

It does get easier & more just how you eat in time

[ocdennise 6]

I have been using my timer on my phone each time I sit down to eat. It has really helped me so far & will hopefully be a nee habit

[Tina 2.0 64]

I warm my plates and bowls in the oven before plating the food. I am using Corning ware salad plate and ramekin. I hate cold food too.