Eating too fast

[knp76]

I have been trying and trying to slow down my eating with little success. I want to practice this before the surgery, but I'm really struggling with it. Did anyone else have this problem? How did you manage it?

[Merry Mary]

I set my fork down between bites, which seemed to help me eat slower.

[Ann2]

Like you, I practiced on this for months pre-op. I ate WAY too fast before WLS.

Small plate. Small (salad) fork. Small bites. Chewed (counted up to 30 chews per bite). Put fork down between bites. Got my meals out to 20-30 minutes. You can do this. Just get a little focused on it, and I bet your behavior changes fast.

Best wishes. And welcome.

[mrf0418]

Once you have the surgery you won't be able to eat fast, no matter how much you want to.. Don't beat yourself up over it, it will not be a choice soon..

[Christie13]

Yup. You eat too fast post op and you will regret it. And trust me the feeling of eating too fast/too much will be the behavior deterrent you need. It is not a pleasant feeling. You won't want to continue do that.

[Lisa Page]

I'm just over two months post op and I still struggle with eating too fast . The thing that stops me is how awful I feel after a couple of mouthfuls eating too quickly and not chewing enough. It hurts feeling like food is stuck in my chest quite high up. I soon stop eating altogether or slow right down. It's right what others say . There isn't a choice but to follow the advice otherwise you know it! This is something I view positively as a reminder of why I'm doing this and it's working. It's so worth the change in habits. The weight comes off. I'm not starving hungry and I feel so grateful for this opportunity. All the best .

[Pattimelt]

Oh, I'm almost four months post op, and I STILL have a hard time eating slowly enough. When I eat too quickly, I get a horrible pain in my chest that can last up to an hour. The key is to not get too hungry, and to take very small bites, very slowly. I know you'll get it, and I congratulate you on your surgery!

[Donald G]

Ann pretty much nailed it on a great technique to eat slower, you can also cut all your food into very small pieces prior to starting to eat and make sure you only put one small piece on your fork at a time.

[GigiUSA]

I was like you and wanted to master what I could pre-op. I read people saying that post-op you would just get it and I was still concerned that I would.
... Now, a month and 1/2 out I totally get it. Just listen to your body. When you are fueling your body and not just gulping down whatever is in front of you it is a game changer. Also, what everyone is saying is very true... your body will kick you from the inside if you try to eat too much too fast... or not chew your food enough. You will get it, I promise xoxoxo

[Cale]

I know I'm supposed to chew things to death, but is this for life or just the first few months? Two years from now will I still have to do this?

[Luna354]

Just early on. I eat like a normal person now, just small amounts. Hang in there.

[Cale]

Good to know. Thanks.

[sraebaer]

I struggle with it at 4 years. Hubby will often say "take a break!" Typically I'm done and doing the dishes when he's still eating. Totally impolite. I am eating much less than him, but if I concentrate on really slowing down we could eat together.

I don't "chew things to death" anymore. But setting my fork down between bites would be a really good idea.

[Cale]

Yeah, I just like to get done and get on with my day. Eating slower does nothing to curb my appetite, so it's hard to see the point in doing it if you don't have to.

[Ann2]

Uh ... Cale, what's the rush? Eating is something you probably could pay more attention to and benefit from doing so.

Slow down. Take smaller bites. Chew more. Wait between bites. It takes a long time to change habits. And believe me, wolfing our food is not a great habit.