How long does it take you to eat? How long SHOULD it take? Water?

[nicblake 0]

Hi all,

About 6 mo out now. I'm finding pacing myself while eating is difficult, esp. in college when you're always short on time.

In general though, I haven't seen my capacity change since the beginning to now, it can take me five, ten or fifteen, thirty minutes, I'm still only going to be able to fit half a cheesestick, or half a container of yogurt in or x amount of other things. If anything, these days, my capacity is less.

How long do you usually take to eat? Tips for eating slower? I also find myself eating a bit quicker because food is just... good, and I don't really think about eating super slow anymore.

Although I'm not eating unhealthy and mostly Protein based, I worry I will stretch my sleeve (I did over eat a few times since leaving home but thats MOSTLY subsided) and sometimes eating at the rate I've been at has made me not feel very well physically and/or emotionally.

Should I stop eating right before I'm full, or until I'm COMFORTABLY full? I just feel stress and guilt because I honestly don't know.

I've had a harder time since leaving home and I'm honestly doing my best while struggling to get protein in which will lead to "I need another bite of this chicken" and then feeling awful for it.

I don't chug but I kind of gulp Water, too. Could a negative effect come from this?

[Mistie 201]

My nut said to stop eating before you feel full; when you feel satiety (ie. No longer hungry). As well, they recommend 30 minutes to eat. Any faster, and you're eating too fast. Any slower (ie. 45 minutes), and you're eating too slow and run the risk of over eating (because your food is digesting as you are eating so you can eat more).

As for eating slower - chew bites completely, use smaller utensils, and put utensils down between bites. There are also apps you can download for free to help you pace your eating.

Hope this helps!

Edited October 22, 2015 by Mistie

[MimiBMe 94]

My NUT gave these general rules:

• Take 30 or more minutes to eat each meal
• At meals, always eat Protein items first
• Do not drink liquids at meals
• Wait at least 30-60 min after a meal to start drinking fluids
• Stop eating when you feel full (you will need to determine what "full" feels like for you
• Chew, chew, chew; you cannot over chew your food

Good luck and continued success!