Meal length

I was wondering how long a typical meal should last.  I usually eat alone in my dorm room and if I am snacking it maybe an hour to eat it, but sometimes I eat my meals super fast like 15 minutes.  I know that if I had a sit down meal with friends it would be longer.  Is that too fast to eat?  And is there a way to help slow down?  I know I need to chew properly and take a drink after each bite, but in the long run I feel I just drink too much.  heh.

I usually eat in my dorm room as well. Breakfast is almost always a quick affair... not rushed, but I have to eat my cereal and then get to class.

Generally I try to make meals last. I force myself to wait and drink at least a few large swigs of water before meals, even if I'm very hungry. Then I try to take a "break time" in the middle of each meal, because if I make myself wait a few minutes after having a little food in my stomach I will no longer be so hungry. And whatever I have left I can eat slowly, sometimes using the "sip in between bites" method.

I try to finish up most meals with either more water (as much as I can drink) or a cup of hot tea.

ps. It takes practice to be able to stop eating when you're truly hungry. But you can get the hang of it if you try. Just tell yourself "I'm GOING to eat this, I'm just taking a small break."

pps. It also takes a while to get used to drinking more. I found out the more water I drank daily, the more I *wanted* daily. Right now I'm at a comfortable amount, but I drink double to triple the amount of plain water I did before learning to use it as a strategy. 

i am not 100% positive if this is true but i have heard that the more you chew your food, the more easily it is digested.

I eat so fast!!!! Its not just you dont you worry! I have a pint of sugar free squah that I try to finish before the end of the meal, and I try to chew everything at least 20 times (gosh I sound neurotic!) also I will try to stop eating halfway through the meal or play with my food abit. I started doing this when me an my boyfrind started to go out for dinner, he eats really slowly and I eat really fast, so if I don't do stuf like that I'm sat for about 10 mins while he finished up!

Thats allI can really suggest, apart from if your eating in your room, doing something else at the same time that requires concentration, such as reading or the crossword, so you attention is divided while your eating

But then again, if your still full, it probs doesn't matter how much you eat, just remember to breathe!

xxxx

Gosh i eat super fast. I dont really chew my food, thats the issue...

I do try and play w/ it on my plate a bit though... trying!!

But still, a meal rarely lasts more than 10 minutes for me.

Sometimes I feel it takes me longer to heat up leftovers in my old fashioned microwave than it takes me to eat it.

I tend to eat pretty quick. I am usually by myself so there's pretty much nothing in the way of me and the food in front of me. Couple that with the fact that I'm eating every 2.5-3 hours and I really don't feel the need to drag it out. 

I eat as if there is no tomorrow. I need to stop that...

But about the chewing your food and digestion, I don't think that applies to like making you hungrier sooner. I just thought it could help prevent bloating and indigestion...but what you said makes sense.. I haven't a clue- why am I pretending I do?

The more you chew your food, the more your body thinks your full so if your looking to eat less and keep it over a long space of time make sure you chew your food 8-10 times before swallowing!

At first you feel stupid coz your practically chewing nothing by the end of it but you get fuller so hope this helps! 

i'm a slow eater most of the time sometimes though im quick