Are you a fast eater?
"Slow down!" is something that many of us probably heard as kids when we were eating.
Fast eating is usually thought of as the habit of eating meals quickly, often without chewing food well or enjoying each bite.
Signs of eating too fast:
You take less than 20 to 30 minutes to eat a normal-sized meal. Your body needs this time to send a message to your brain that you’re full. We might overeat and gain weight.
You don't fully chew your food, which can result in poor digestion.
You don't stop between bites and just “swallow” them, so they are not properly mixed with saliva, which plays a fundamental role in the process of digestion.
There are many reasons that can make a person eat too fast, from being very busy and not scheduling enough time for meals, stress, anxiety, or emotional distress, and more.
Mindfulness can help us to address these challenges and learn better ways to live.
Participation question:
Are you a fast eater or take your time to eat mindfully?
Do you like cooking at home or rather go and buy ready meals?
Helpful Videos:
How Mindful Eating Improves Your Relationship with Food | Expert Videos
10 Minute Mindful Eating Meditation
Helpful Resources:
Are you a fast eater? 5 ways to slow down (so you can actually enjoy your food)
Seeking Help
Mental stress can cause us not to be able to see the good things in life and lead to excessive rumination or worries which can result in serious health problems. If you have serious, long-term problems with negative thinking and feeling depressed, see your doctor or talk to a therapist if they are related to any mental challenges.
Are you looking for a therapist? 7 Cups has online, certified therapists with a paid option. For more information on what happens in online therapy at 7 Cups, Read Lisa’s (a therapist and director of therapy) explanation
https://www.7cups.com/forum/therapy/General_2432/WeveLaunchedTalkTherapyon7Cups_319430/
To apply for 7 Cups online therapy, click on this link (must be logged into member account) https://www.7cups.com/online-therapy/?ob=1
Taglist Thread "Are you a fast eater" Dec. 30, 2025
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I'm definitely a fast eater. However, I sure do enjoy every bite! 😉 I love food and I like to make sure I taste all the flavors even if I gobble it up. Lol.
@YourCaringConfidant
Using chop sticks like on the animation is a great way to slow down eating. It's something I do 😃
@amiablePeace77
Doesn't seem to work so much for the kid tho lol
@amiablePeace77
Are you a fast eater or take your time to eat mindfully?
This was actually a huge problem for me growing up. I would just eat super fast, and that would make me gassy. What was worse was that I would sometimes think I was still hungry and make myself sick eating seconds or thirds. My parents applauded me for it (for some reason).
I still struggle with it sometimes but I've gotten far better about eating mindfully. Chopsticks help a lot (like you mentioned) or also I'll set my fork down between bites so I'm not picking up another bite while still chewing.
Still have issues with registering when I'm full, but I think that's a neurodivergent thing.
Do you like cooking at home or rather go and buy ready meals?
I used to love takeout, but it just doesn't taste as good as the stuff I make anymore. I'll do takeout if I don't have the energy to cook, but often there's something in the fridge I can just heat up.
@HappySpecter
It's a smart idea to have something in the fridge that just needs to be warmed up if you're getting hungry so you don't "force" yourself to grab sweets or fast food.
@amiablePeace77
Are you a fast eater or take your time to eat mindfully?
I used to be a slow eater as a child but when my kids were little the only time i ate a hot or even warm meal was to eat fast. Even now as kids are older. I find myself eating too fast it is a constant battle to try to slow down....
Do you like cooking at home or rather go and buy ready meals?
I do not like cooking never have but it is easier to control additives or salt etc and cheaper than buying take out or ready meals.
@toughTiger6481 I am reminded of the scene in Bluey where the kids go to find their Dad in the kitchen. He's standing in front of the fridge shoveling leftovers into his face, and then jams the container back in the fridge when they find him.
Sometimes I feel that way -- having to be there for your kids at a moment's notice can be really stressful!
@toughTiger6481
I hope the resources in the thread will help you to learn to eat slower. When I was working I often had little time to eat so I can relate to what you say. I learned to slow down by also watching the time in which I finish my meals.
@amiablePeace77
I am in habit to put utensils down and count but like working or kids sometimes it was only way to eat should have broken thru it by now but I am working on it still
@amiablePeace77
I'm the slowest of eaters 😁
I don't like cooking in particular but I don't like microwave meals.
I'm always the last at the dinner table 💚
I do like eating alone though, chewing is something I hate 😂😂
@Amanda84 OMIGLOB I thought I was the only one! Chewing is such a hassle! Especially extra chewy stuff, like steak or bread.
@HappySpecter
😂😂😂
And I dislike listening to other people chewing, very off-putting 😂💚
YESS ASMR drives me up a wall, especially the eating ones!
@Amanda84
Chewing the food properly can feel "boring" or just too much effort but it helps digestion to a great extent.
@amiablePeace77
Are you a fast eater or take your time to eat mindfully?
I take my time. I can't eat fast unless the meal is my absolute favourite.
Do you like cooking at home or rather go and buy ready meals?
I prefer home cooked meals.
@trueconfidant123
I heard you! It can be hard to slow down when your favorite is on the plate! On the other hand, you want to truly enjoy your favorite 😃
@amiablePeace77
Impatient eater here, like Napoleon used to be. Better eat while the food is hot (something that all mothers and housewives understand is tricky at home 😃). However, I can pace myself usually, as my grandson will always be the last one to finish. When hosting dinner parties, I paid attention to the timing of each dish. A lot of the timing also is the result of the conversation around the table, which is often more important than the food itself.
I used to prefer a (good) restaurant until smoking became a problem. I have never gone to fast food places unless I wanted to treat my kids while we lived in the US. If I go out, it will have to be a worthwhile place. I've got standards 😊
I also never did food deliveries and in the countryside where I live, it's not possible anyway.
Are you a fast eater or take your time to eat mindfully?
Do you like cooking at home or rather go and buy ready meals?
@Fradiga
It's good that you have your standards! It shows you care about what you're putting into your body.
@amiablePeace77
I am an absolute SNOB !!
@amiablePeace77
Are you a fast eater or take your time to eat mindfully?
Depends. If I like what I’m eating or chose to eat then I’ll take my time to eat mindfully and enjoy it. When I’m forced to eat or eat something I don’t like I’ll eat it fast to get it over with asap.
Do you like cooking at home or rather go and buy ready meals?
@akunknown
I hear you and prefer home-made meals too, so I know exactly what goes into my food. However, for many people it can be challenging to work and cook fresh, so it helps to read the labels thoroughly and/or freeze meals to have them available when needed.
@amiablePeace77
I understand that. For people who need frozen meals, it’s a better to eat something like frozen food than eat nothing and starve yourself situation. I wish I could cook for them all the time so they’d have healthier meals without the challenge of cooking for themselves.
