Question:
Do any of you have a suggestion on how one trains their mind to eat slower?

I have always eaten fast and this is causing me to throw up. I take to big of bites, just out of habbit. Then I reaize that I have eaten to fast or taken to big of a bite. It is to late and I am throwing up. It is just such a life style at 62 the saying you can't teach old dogs new tricks seems to by true. Can anyone share what they did to retrain themselves.    — Judith C. (posted on August 27, 2001)

August 26, 2001
Judith: Here are a couple of suggestions. Cut everything into tiny pieces before you eat anything, and then take only one piece at a time. If it's like mashed potatoes, take as much as you would feed a babyfrom your spoon, but no more. Use baby utensils, if you've got'em. Put your spoon or fork down between bites while you chew, chew, chew. Make sure your mouth is completely empty before taking another bite. Get used to eating everything lukewarm - LOL - I like hot foods hot and cold foods cold, but by the time I've been eating for 20 mins., everything is more or less the same temperature! But isn't the result worth it?
   — Marjorie B.

August 27, 2001
You probably won't like this answer, Judith,but...you asked. Negative conditioning is a very effective method of training. After you have thrown up enough times, you start to learn. I had the same problem with eating quickly and not chewing enough. Repeatedly getting sick, the message does start to get to the brain and you will start to chew to mush and eat very slowly. The bad news is, when I finally stopped feeling sick (at about ten months) I went right back to eating too quickly and not chewing well. Darn
   — Anne G.

August 27, 2001
First of all, don't watch normal people, they only throw you off. I do well when eating by myself, but when in a group, I tend to push it. Also, don't just put the fork down, distract yourself for a little while, read something, talk to someone, get up and do something that takes a minute or two. One person I know uses a three minute egg timer and takes it everywhere. Only one bite and then wait till the timer is over. Also, remember to not put more on your plate than you can reasonably expect to eat. Use a small plate or bowl. If you go to a restaurant, ask for a small plate or use a saucer and transfer little bits of food to that. Hope this helps, I hear it gets better with time. Kathryn
   — kcanges

August 27, 2001
Cut up your bites of meat small enough that they won't plug your hole in case you don't chew them well enough (like the size of a pencil eraser!) Then, chew one at a time! Put your fork down between bites. Learn to talk more during your meal - ask people questions, become an avid listener and conversationalist. Don't make food the focus. However, you still have to pay attention. Put only enough on the plate that fits your diet plan - don't overload. Don't drink with your meal. E N J O Y the taste, the flavor, the texture of each bite. This is kinda sensual. Eating quickly deprives you of the sensual aspect of food. You are really missing out! Best wishes!
   — Cindy H.

August 27, 2001
Use baby forks, spoons, and saucers instead of plates at first. Use a timer to pace yourself with chewing and in between bites. You'll get used to it! Best wishes.
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 30, 2001
Here is a tip that worked for me, especially if you are having a meal by yourself. Put your fork down between bites and read a paragraph of good book.
   — Debbie J.

October 10, 2001
My doctor gives each patient a sand timer. It is for approx. 3 minutes. He tells each of his patients to use the timer when they eat. Wait 3 minutes in between bites. I've found that the patients that follow this rule seem to do the best.
   — Trudy M.

January 22, 2004
What I did to train myself was to use a very small spoon or fork and a small plate. Then, when I sat down to eat, I had no distractions like the TV, newspaper, etc. I had a kitchen timer right there on the table and I first set it for 1 min 30 seconds. Once I took a bite, I would start the timer. My utensil was put down between bites. That's how I learned to eat SLOW. Once I got the 1 min 30 seconds down as well as portions per bite, I went down to 1 minute between bites. THAT is what I have trained myself to wait between bites. Hope this might help for you!
   — Tracy C.