I add 150 cals for 'graze' everyday to my calorie-count because I have a habit of taking a bite of what the kids don't eat. A bite of PB&J here, a few goldfish there, a bite of toast, a bite of eggroll....

NO MORE!

If it is not on my plate, then I am not eating it.

This is a hard one! I am a nanny, so I am dealing with food a lot during the day. Breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack... I was a grazer, for sure. Take a bite of this and that while preparing it, and if they didn't finish it all...it adds up! Since getting serious about my diet, I keep gum on me as often as I can. Before I start making lunch, I pop a piece in my mouth. Chewing goldfish with gum in my mouth is NOT appealing... It helps keep me in line, because the instinct is always there. Now, it's just a matter of remembering to grab the gum BEFORE I start.

I always cook with a mint or gum in my mouth. I learned that one at WW 5 years ago. I allow myself one bite when something it done to check for seasoning instead of biting after each spice I add.

I have always eaten too fast. Maybe I will try the whole "put-the-fork-down" thing.

I am totally with you on this one. If I could conquer my grazing/snacking and my sweet tooth, I would be thin with no problem (my meals are generally quite healthy).

I only make one meal during the week and there isn't anything but a cany machine at work so grazing isn't an issue for me. I do eat too fast though. Maybe I'll try the putting the fork down thing too.

And I'm going to make sure I stay in my cal range. No more going over and no more being under 1200.

Putting the fork down is a good idea. I'm definitely going to try it. I eat WAY too fast!

putting the fork down is definitely a good idea. I may try to start that!
I've recently realized that I often eat when I'm not hungry, and I plan out all my meals to add up to however many calories for the day, and the times I eat them and whatnot.... so I thought to myself.... what if I just eat when I'm hungry and just write THAT down... I'm gonna try that for a few days!

So going to implement the putting knife and fork down!! I eat way to quickly and end up eating more after the meal because of this!
Thanks!

Great thread!

I'm in with the putting the fork down crowd. I ALWAYS finish before my husband. I always just pass it off on the fact that he's chattier than I am, but I know that isn't the whole story. It's time to slow down and enjoy!

There's seems to be a commonality here: Many people eat too fast (I'm one of them). I wonder why this is and if this is a trait common to those who struggle with their weight. I've tried the "putting down the fork" thing, but for some reason, it just doesn't seem natural. I may try taking smaller bites. If I had the courage, I'd love to videotape myself eating. I'm sure that I wouldn't like what I'd see; that would probably do more than anything else to cure me of eating fast.

I think I will hop on this bandwagon and put my fork/spoon/sandwich down between bites. I'm trying to teach myself not to devour my food so quickly; when I slow down, I enjoy my food more and reach a feeling of fullness AND satisfaction at the same time more easily.

I didn't start eating quickly until I had kids. I have two high-needs kids, and I just try to get through my meal as quickly as possible.

ooohhh....i could not do that. That's how i operate on the weekends and sometimes it can be dangerous. Either I eat too little or i wait until i am starving and grab what ever is closest. Not that i keep that many bad for me foods around. I do best if i keep to a schedule.