Surprise – I eat too fast!
Last night, Steven (and I) made homemade veggie patties.
They took about 45 minutes to make. We had to chop up carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, green onion, zucchini and celery, then add spices to that mix and saute it all in a pan. We eventually mixed in some flour until it got to the right consistency, then took it all out to form into patties and cook like normal veggie burgers.
Voila!
Every time I spend a lot of time in the kitchen cooking something (okay, helping Steven cook something, I am only a sous chef, afterall), I think about how fast I eat. Last night was no different. Even though the pattie was big, and a little bit squishy and falling apart… I still scarfed it down. We had our veggie patties with fresh broccoli, and I ate it all so fast, I got a little bit of an upset stomach.
Okay, I don’t just think about this problem when something takes a long time to prepare. I think about it a lot. And have probably mentioned it before.
No matter where I am, no matter what I am eating, I scarf it down. I eat so fast, I am usually the first one done. I have to consciously try to eat slow in restaurants with friends so I don’t finish too soon and feel like an idiot.
I’ve read all the tips on how to slow down while eating:
- Eat at the dining room table
- Use a fork and knife
- Put your silverware down between each bite
- Chew each bite 30 times before swallowing
- Don’t put more food into your mouth until it’s empty
- Chat to others at the table
- Turn off the tv/computer while eating
- Pay attention to the taste and texture while you’re eating
- Avoid eating on the run
- Eat foods that require some work
- Use chopsticks!
But even though I know all of these tricks, I don’t follow them. Even though I sit down at every meal, thinking “Today’s going to be the day! I am going to have a nice, long, slow meal!” – it never is.
I know the benefits of eating slower. I wouldn’t get an upset stomach (although that rarely happens). I might eat less, because my stomach figures out I am full sooner than normal. I might enjoy the food.
I might actually develop a normal relationship with food!
If I don’t approach each meal acting like it is going to be my last, I may be able to take away some of the power that food has over me. I might eat for enjoyment. I might eat to fuel my body.
This has been a problem I’ve had all my life. Somehow, I feel like now, I can tackle it and overcome it. I would love to sit down at Thanksgiving dinner with a plate full of delicious food, taking small bites and savoring each one (and maybe not going back for seconds!).
I’ll let you know how it all goes.
Themocracy
they look really yummy!
I eat fast too, most of those tips are good (I don’t like to chew food for too long because it becomes disgusting at a point) but if your not thinking about them as you’re eating they’ll do you no good. I think that the only thing that gets me to slow down (if I’m not starving) is really enjoying the meal and the fact that for that moment I can relax, which is something that is far too rare for me.
I think that if you make a conscious and consistent effort to make a change that it will happen, eventually 😉
Talk during dinner. Not with your mouth full, of course! I eat rather slowly and that’s why. My husband eats pretty fast, I’m often 1/2 done when he’s totally finished, and he swears it’s because I talk too much for him to do anything but listen and eat 😉
I’m the world’s slowest eater. I don’t think I talk much when I’m eating either. Then when I’m done eating, if there is more food on my plate I continue to nibble at it forever (so it really seems like I take forever).
I’m so slow that when we eat lunch out at work I’ve been told to “order first, go sit down and start eating even if we’re not back with our food yet” and then I’m still last….
I eat quickly too….the only thing slowing me down these days is all of the chicken, pork chops, steaks, blah blah that I eat cause of my diet program. It’s a lot harder to chew steak as quickly as one can shovel chili down one’s throat. 😉
We’ve both been losing weight, you and I. And? We’ve both been eating faster than fast. Who says we HAVE to change?
de – I feel like I am on “auto” when I eat in the office. I just sit at my comp and scarf scarf scarf. Being conscious of it is the first step!
Jenn – Ha ha! I usually finish first, because Steven is walking around, turning on the t and grabbing the remotes and doing a thousand things while I am sitting down eating. I try to wait! I am going to talk more. With my mouth closed, yes!
Gary LaPointe – Any tips or advice?
Hilly – You’re right – we DON’T have to! It’s not like I am sitting down and eating a full bag of chips. I would like to slow it down just a bit though.
It’s hard to break a habit. Baby steps to change! Just being more conscious of it is a great first step.
your veggie patties look SO good!!! i have the same problem, i eat so fast… now that dc and i eat together when he’s here i try to “pace” myself with him but usually i end up finishing before he does anyways… at least you’re conscious of it, i wasn’t really until he pointed it out… just another thing to add to my list of things to work on, lol.
=^..^=
sizzle – That is what I always tell myself “at least I know what I need to change!”
CourtneyInControl – Thanks 🙂 If it makes you feel any better, I think eating slower does help with weight loss – you feel fuller sooner! 😀
This is my #2 bad eating habit (#1 being emotional eating). I come from a family of fast eaters, and it’s how I’ve always been. Honestly, I’ve given up trying to make myself eat slowly. Instead, I put moderate amounts on my plate, eat those and then make myself wait 10-15 minutes before taking any more. Sometimes I still want a bit more, but oftentimes I don’t. At least it gives my stomach a chance to adjust to what I’ve put in it. When I forget to use this method, I almost always overstuff.
None of those slow-down tricks worked for me on a permanent basis, except the talking one. If we’re out to dinner – especially with company! – I’m excited and chatty, and that distracts me from eating fast.
But like Hilly said, we’re all still losing, right? 😀
SJ – I learned from my family too. I told Steven I ate fast when I was a kid to make sure I got seconds. I think he kind of thinks I am joking. I am not. Those slow-down tricks are kind of lame, but even though I am still losing weight, I am going to work on it. And try to enjoy my meal. Savor it… you know?
I always forget these tricks but I think I will try to put them into action too. So you won’t be alone at Thanksgiving when you are putting your silverware down between bites and savoring each mouthful. 😉 I could stand to lose a few pounds myself.
teeni – Good luck! I have been trying the “putting your fork down, chewing completely, and not picking the fork up again until your mouth is empty.” THAT’S actually helping a lot! I think I was shoveling my food into my mouth before.