Hit the brakes on speedy eating

Rushing through meals or snacks? Test out one of the tips below to see if it helps you eat more slowly.
Published 14 December, 2021

Try this!

Rushing through meals or snacks? Test out one of the tips below to see if it helps you eat more slowly.

Pick a way to pace yourself and tune into your meal. Pause before you eat to notice the colors on your plate; use your non-dominant hand to eat for the first two minutes; match your timing to the slowest eater at the table; or go back and forth between tasting and talking.  Reflect on it. Did the strategy help you slow down, or affect how much you ate? If not, try another one.
Pick a way to pace yourself and tune into your meal. Pause before you eat to notice the colors on your plate; use your non-dominant hand to eat for the first two minutes; match your timing to the slowest eater at the table; or go back and forth between tasting and talking.  Reflect on it. Did the strategy help you slow down, or affect how much you ate? If not, try another one.


Let’s dive a little deeper...

The holidays are nothing if not busy. Celebrating with friends, catching up with family, enjoying the festivities. During all the excitement, you may end up eating quickly - or more than you planned.

By paying attention to your pace, you can find balance between enjoying your meal (and good company!) and staying on track. Slower eating can help you feel full so you don’t eat too much, are more aware of your eating patterns, and make it easier to recall what you ate (handy for tracking meals!) There’s a weight-loss link, too. When researchers compared hurried and leisurely eaters, they found the latter group did better at maintaining weight loss.

You don’t need a ton of time or a tranquil setting to hit pause as you nosh either. You can eat more intently any time, anywhere.



Week four of our monthly theme, find balance.
Week four of our monthly theme, find balance.