Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Suggestions on Slowing Down



Recommended Posts

Hi Guys-

I am looking for some suggestions to slow down while eating and taking smaller bites.... I know it sound so simple, but I find myself oblivious to this rule when eating. I think about it before I eat to remind myself, and after when I feel miserable. I have had episodes of regurgitation recently, and it scares me. Just wondering how some of you have made this a habit during this journey?

Thanks for your suggestions!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I try to do something else between bites - read a half page in a book, or play on my phone. It really helps me pause in between.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I use the 'Eating Slow' app on my iPhone. You can adjust to whatever speed you want.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If you do other things while eating, like watching TV, don't do it. Stay focused on each and every bite of your meal; pick up a small amount, and chew it until it pretty much disintegrates in your mouth. Before you pick up another bite, focus on feeling the prior one going all the way down. Then repeat.

For right now, until you retrain yourself, try and remove yourself from any and all distractions while eating. Once you become familiar and comfortable with how the new way of eating feels, it will start to become the new "normal". I take small bites & chew very well, but sometimes I find myself ready to take the next bite a bit too quickly. Even 6.5 months out, I still have to stop & refocus.

Good luck! It's quite a learning curve ;)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

When eating at home, using a teaspoon of oyster fork helps slow me down.

I also chew my food to the consistency i can swirl it around and push through my teeth before swallowing. Anything that feels too thick or solid, means chew more or if it won't chew down (skins on f&v, dry meats and fresh pineapples are often the culprits) best discreetly spit them out.

I've also found different people dining with me influence how fast I eat and I need to pay attention more to slowing down my eating and ignoring the pace they eat at.

Also avoid eating on the run. If u can't commit to 20-30 mins to consume a meal slowly, I've found it best to go back to liquid or a Protein shake based meal

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I believe all of us have had to learn how to do this at some point...what has helped me is to have an awareness of what I am doing, I refer to it as mindful eating.

I use a smaller salad fork and look at every bite to be certain it is a small one. I count to make certain that I chew each bite at least 20 times, sometimes more if necessary. I put my fork down for 20 seconds between bites, no exceptions.

These suggestions may sound like an oversimplification of the obvious, but they have helped me slow down eating my meals.

Be certain to follow your surgeons directions regarding how long a meal should last. I was advised that I need to stop eating after 20 minutes.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Personally i think it never goes away.... After almost 4 years, i still catch my self eating too fast. Mostly when im not paying attention to what im doing.

Mrsto is correct with everything she said. When i first started, i sat at the table with my baby plate and baby fork I didn't read, talk, or watch tv. I concentrated on every single bite. I made sure the bite was no bigger than the nail bed of my pinky finger. I took my bite.... Put down my fork..... closed my eyes and really concentrated on what i was eating.... thought about what i was tasting... different spices.. etc. After i was finished chewing i swallowed. Then cut my next bite. and repeated. I eat all my Protein first then veggies then starch... if i was still hungry.

im including what i got from my dr. Of course you must follow what your doc says. Im just sending in case your doc didn't give you anything.

Best of luck.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

True Results gives you a 30 second egg timer. I get it out from time to time when I need to retrain myself.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I find that as the meal progresses I eat slower. It's that first 2-3 bites that usually get me stuck. I cook and sometimes the appetite is overwhelming by the time I sit down to eat and I wolf down the first few bites which causes the problem.

The times where I take a deep breath before that first bite are the times I can eat a normal slow meal without incident. It took me 10 months to get to where I could eat slower without incident. But, it's still a struggle now that I'm 22 months out.

tmf

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks everyone for the tips... I am 6 months out and down 73 pounds which makes me so happy, but this darn slow eating seems to give me the most problems.... I appreciate all the suggestions and will try them to find the right thing for me!

It gives me great comfort to know that I am not the only one who has this problem, and that everyone can relate to this problem.

Hope you are all having a wonderful day!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

These are great tips....just what the doctor ordered! I went into my appointment today pouting and whining a bit. I was sure I needed some liquid out because even though I am losing weight at a nice slow healthy pace, I have been throwing up after almost everything I ate. I have Dr. George Fielding at NYU who had the surgery himself, right off the bat he said I was eating too fast. I said no way, I'm practically not eating at all and that there must be something wrong with my band. Just to keep me quiet he sent me to have do the barium swallow. Of course the test came text book perfect. I really thought I had been eating slow....back to the drawing board.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Guys-

I am looking for some suggestions to slow down while eating and taking smaller bites.... I know it sound so simple, but I find myself oblivious to this rule when eating. I think about it before I eat to remind myself, and after when I feel miserable. I have had episodes of regurgitation recently, and it scares me. Just wondering how some of you have made this a habit during this journey?

Thanks for your suggestions!

For me, the Band will force me to slow down, take small bites,...or else!

These are one of the rules that did not come into play until I had one or 2 fills, THEN it was necessary and the ONLY way I could eat....before that, it was just an exercise, practice for things to come....

After being forced to eat that way...one of the may new habits I needed to adapt to if I wanted the band to work, it has all now become matter of fact...don't even think about it anymore, it is just something that come naturally...as does many other things if I want to maintain the bands effectiveness....

Of course, I could get some Fluid taken out...then I could eat the way I want to, the way I used to eat when I was fat....but I much prefer the new way of eating resulting in the new me!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • cryoder22

      Day 1 of pre-op liquid diet (3 weeks) and I'm having a hard time already. I feel hungry and just want to eat. I got the protein and supplements recommend by my program and having a hard time getting 1 down. My doctor / nutritionist has me on the following:
      1 protein shake (bariatric advantage chocolate) with 8 oz of fat free milk 1 snack = 1 unjury protein shake (root beer) 1 protein shake (bariatric advantage orange cream) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein bar 1 protein shake (bariatric advantace orange cream or chocolate) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein soup (chicken) 3 servings of sugar free jello and popsicles throughout the day. 64 oz of water (I have flavor packets). Hot tea and coffee with splenda has been approved as well. Does anyone recommend anything for the next 3 weeks?
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        All I can tell you is that for me, it got easier after the first week. The hunger pains got less intense and I kind of got used to it and gave up torturing myself by thinking about food. But if you can, get anything tempting out of the house and avoid being around people who are eating. I sent my kids to my parents' house for two weeks so I wouldn't have to prepare meals I couldn't eat. After surgery, the hunger was totally gone.

    • buildabetteranna

      I have my final approval from my insurance, only thing holding up things is one last x-ray needed, which I have scheduled for the fourth of next month, which is my birthday.

      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BetterLeah

      Woohoo! I have 7 more days till surgery, So far I am already down a total of 20lbs since I started this journey. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Well done! I'm 9 days away from surgery! Keep us updated!

    • Ladiva04

      Hello,
      I had my surgery on the 25th of June of this year. Starting off at 117 kilos.😒
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Congrats on the surgery!

    • Sandra Austin Tx

      I’m 6 days post op as of today. I had the gastric bypass 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×