Fast Eaters Unite!

Hey everyone, it's Karen here. I don't think there is such a thing as a "fast eaters" support group, but there probably needs to be. I struggle with being a fast eater and I suspect that many others do as well. I'm not sure if I was always a fast eater, but I do know that whatever my eating pace was before, I became a faster eater once I had children (when in doubt, blame the kiddos, right?) When they were very young and less independent, everything felt urgent and rushed. And I think my eating pace came to reflect that. I never knew what was going to happen minute to minute, so I think I just rushed my eating to make sure I was fueled and prepared.

My kids are 9 and 12 now, so that sense of urgency at mealtime has passed, but I continue to be a fast eater. I didn't really notice it until my son pointed out my fast eating a few years ago (ironically, he is one of the slowest eaters I know!) My ego took a blow since a kindergartener had to point it out to me, but kids are smart and observant. Now being a fast eater is not inherently a problematic thing, but it does pose some potential issues, such as:

• being a bit embarrassed when you finish your meal and everyone else is only halfway through (yep, that is me, WAY. TOO. OFTEN.)

• eating your food so quickly that you don't really enjoy it (I went to the trouble to plan and prepare a meal, and I am barely tasting it. UGH.)

• since it takes time for food to reach your stomach and tell your brain you're full, eating quickly can cause overeating.

• when you eat quickly, you can take in a lot of air with your food, which may cause gas and bloating.

So, what to do if you are a fast eater and you feel it poses problems for you? Here are some strategies to try:

• Sit down at a table to eat. I have been known to stand at the counter and eat, or walk around the house with a bowl of cereal, but it creates eating that is rushed and mindless. Sit down and enjoy.

• Drink water between bites. This forces you to slow down and take breaks between bites.

• Put your utensil down between bites and don't pick it up until you are done chewing. Similar to the water trick, this is another way to slow down the process.

• Be the one who helps keep the mealtime conversation going. I find that if I make it a point to robustly engage in the mealtime conversation, then I have less opportunity to rush my eating (because y'know, it's rude to talk with food in your mouth!)

• Find a slow eater and pace yourself to them. In my case, I cannot pace myself to my son because he is unusually slow. But I do try to pace myself to my husband who I find to have a leisurely pace. I try to look over at his plate while I am eating and if it is obvious I am clearing my plate much faster than him, it helps me slow down (and avoids that awkward sitting there for 10 minutes while everyone else finishes eating!)

I hope this help you feel less alone in your "fast eating" struggles, and gives you some ideas for making progress!