Eating too much V.s Eating too fast

So, I figured my 'binges' aren't really 'binges' in the sense of caloric intake (Though they sometimes can be) but I'm usually stuck with the same, bloated, disgusting feeling afterwards.

I heard you can feel like you've eaten too much if you've simpyl eaten too fast, and learned that a typical meal should take about 30 minutes or more to eat (living in a family with 8+ siblings, eating slow has NEVEr been an option)

anywho, curiosity took ahold of me today and I actually timed a 'meal' of mine (1 chicken breast, 1 cup broccoli, 1 oz pineapple ring, 6 oz light yogurt), typically, it's supposed to take a person about 30 minutes to eat it. I ended up finishing my meal in under five minutes, and afterwards I felt so gross.

I've tried hard to slow my eating down, but I find it very, very, VERY difficult to slow down!

Does anyone else have this problem? Any tips of how to slow my eating WAAAY down?

Do you eat alone? I find that when I eat alone, I can scarf down food reallllly fast as well. However when I eat with someone else, I slow down my eating a lot and I do eat less because we are talking during then. So maybe just talk to your sibling on your left side or right or directly across from you while you eat.

Or maybe after polishing off one item, take a few minutes breather before attacking something else. For example, you can eat the chicken breast, and then stop for a minute or two to talk or pay attention to what ppl are saying at the table, or walk around and then eat the broccoli and repeat the process.

i have the same problem - i always eat too fast! lately i've been trying to chew slowly and chew my food until it's mush (gross, i know!) but i still seem to be finishing too fast.... maybe drinking a large glass of water before or having a light snack an hour or so before eating will help us slow down...just thought of it and will try it for lunch...but thirty minutes? that's a really long time!

I too have the exact same problem.  For me it simply leads to overeating.  Because I eat so quickly I don't feel any satisfaction from the food.  I'm not enjoying it.  Then I'm still "mouth hungry" and I continue eating other things until I get the satisfied feeling I want.  It's terrible.  I end up eating more than I need, feeling stuffed and bloated, and over-shooting my calories for the day. 

Lately I've tried the technique of putting my fork DOWN between bites and paying attention to what the food really tastes like as I'm eating it.  I also try to drink water during the meal after every 2 or 3 bites.  This causes me to stop eating, think about the next bite, and most importantly - SLOW DOWN! 

Cut your food into smaller bites.  Also, try eating a salad at the same time.  I eat all my veggies first and then move onto the "main dish" after I've satisfied my need to gobble.

I do the same thing with my snacks - I'll cut an apple or carrot into bite-sized pieces and then eat the nuts I've sprinkled ontop (it's kind of like saving the best for last!)

By the way, I'm so glad to hear that you are eating a better diet.  There is no benefit in harming your body - keep up the good work!

I agree with putting the fork down between bits.  If you are eating alone, try reading a good book that you need two hands to hold.  So between bits you put the fork down and read a few lines while you are chewing.  Also do not pour your drink until after you have sat down.  Eat some then get up again to get your drink.

Slowing down will help you get fuller faster.

I have the same problem too!  I've been trying hard to eat slower.  One thing I found that works is to take a sip of water between each bite.  This clears the taste of the food out of my mouth so each bite is as full of flavor as the first.  Otherwise, the taste from the last bite is still in my mouth when I take the next bite, so it doesn't taste as amazing as the first.  Sooo to get the full flavor in each and every bite, I've started taking a small sip between each one!

I don't eat too fast anymore.

I used to.

Now, I talk too much!!  When I'm eating with friends or family I talk to them (and they end up waiting for me after they are finished) and if I am at home alone, I often talk with someone on the phone. 

By the way, I've lost over 120 lbs, about 90 to go. I think slow eating really helps alot.

I find when I get too hungry, I eat so fast people must think I haven't eaten in a week lol.  I can't seem to control my speed, and usually end up eating too much.  It takes your body awhile to realize it's full (I think it's something like 20min) so before that point, I end up eating way more then I need, and by the time I DO realize I'm full....well I'm past full and feeling disgusting.

I make a point of eating every 3 hours, so I'm never really hungry when I eat, but never get that full bloated feeling either.

Try snacking between meals - not a lot, just something to tide you over so by the time meal time comes around, you can enjoy your food without feeling like you just inhaled it. :)

i kind of have the same problem, and i think it stems from the fear that my food is going to get cold (or melt if it's frozen) if i don't eat it quick enough. because of that i've developed a habit of eating too fast, even though i used to be able to stretch out one lean cuisine to thirty minutes without speaking to anybody at dinner.

what i hate about it is that it gets me really full (which i don't like). i'd rather eat and not feel the food in my stomach making it bigger (partially chewed food vs. fully chewed), so i should probably break the habit :T

I tend to be the last one eating at every meal with other people. I don't talk very much, but I do feel rude if I'm scarfing down food like there's no tomorrow while someone else is talking. So, I try to take small bites and chew slowly so my company doesn't get the idea that I'm starved and would never have eaten a meal if it wasn't for them being there, LOL... When I'm by myself, I do eat a little bit quicker, but I'm usually at the computer or in front of the TV so I get distracted and therefore pause a lot during meals. I know that all studies say the opposite about eating in front of the PC or TV, but that's just how it works for me....