What Kind of Eater Are You??
I have to be honest, I've always been a bit of a fast eater BUT now with my new "Mom status" I have become an even faster eater.
As a matter of fact, if you didn't know any better, you might think I was being chased by the "I'm-gonna-take-your-plate-away-cops" if you were watching me eat.
Especially breakfast and lunch.
These are the times when it's usually just Katie and I and I tend to become so focused on what I am feeding her or what we are up to next that I don't pay much attention to my own meal. My head is in so many other places that I treat my meal as a side note. Not only do I eat it quickly but I'm usually standing up at the island in the kitchen while I'm eating (where we shoot all the videos).
Yep. SO there I am... mind everywhere but HERE, standing at the island, eating my bowl of cereal, finished in about thirty seconds flat!
A habit that I am S-L-O-W-L-Y trying to change.
Did you know that that rate at which we eat our food effects how well our bodies are able to digest, assimilate, and metabolize what we are eating?? It's true! So yes... the slower we eat the more calories we will burn!
Not only will we better metabolize our food BUT we are also A LOT less likely to over eat. (yet another area I have work to do).
I'll be the first to admit... it's harder said than done. I often catch myself - even watch myself - as I scarf down a meal while thinking, "Slow down, Dan... breathe, relax!" AND I still do NOT slow down.
I know that as I learn to slow down my thoughts - my mind - my life (ie. maybe I can do the dishes while K is hanging in her high chair, I should snap a quick picture of...., I can call back...., I really should... blah, blah, blah) I'll be able to slow down my eating. I constantly remind myself that there is time for everything. Some days I do better than others. I am without a doubt, a work-in-progress.
I'm pretty convinced that the few extra lingering pounds that I would prefer not to have will eventually drop off as I change HOW I eat (as opposed to what I eat). It's not about perfecting the perfect meal plan it's about how I'm living my life.
Since I'm a big believer in baby steps I've decided to break my goal of "eating slower" down into parts. Before I even begin to put my attention on eating slower I am first going to practice the simple act of SITTING DOWN when I eat.
This means no bowls of cereal standing at the island. No sandwiches on the way out the door. No standing in front of the fridge eating peanut butter from the jar. None of it!
My "rule-with-soft-edges" is simply this:
I can eat whatever I want, whenever I want, as long as I am SITTING DOWN when I do it!
So, I'm asking you to ask yourself - What kind of eater are you?? Slow, moderate or fast?
Anyone care to join me on the adventure of sitting down and eventually slowing down when eating?
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Comments
Cheryl Arkison :
Now that your little one is eating, take the time to slow down by sitting down with her. Not only does it start that important habit of sitting down as a family, but it will force you to sit down.
posted on February 10, 2010 8:17 AM
Dani :
Cheryl - Great advice!! I'm practicing:)
posted on February 11, 2010 11:25 AM
Alisha N :
I am a fast eater because of school. I eat breakfast (a green smoothie) while getting ready and lunch is only 30 minutes long. I am trying to slow down and sit down, though. (I've been waking up earlier.)
My sister just turned one year old, and I have three young brothers as well, so my mom is busy. She eats her meals slowly, though, and sometimes it takes a long time to finish them because she keeps getting interrupted. But I think it's better than rushing through the meal.
posted on February 16, 2010 4:09 PM
Maria Peters :
I will definitely join you in sitting down when I eat... I just finished eating three frozen peach slices while standing up at the kitchen island. :)
posted on February 23, 2010 3:33 PM
Crystal :
My little girl is almost 11 months and I am definitely having to relearn slow eating again! I do sit down with her to eat meals, but find myself still shoveling food in throughout the day because that was the only way I survived the first few months and I don't feel like I 'have time' to sit and eat snacks. Definitely something to work on!
posted on March 5, 2010 7:35 AM