How long does it take you to eat a meal?

[QueenPaw]

Say if you're on your own so not chatting/doing other stuff, just sat down to eat your lunch or tea? Thinking about "normal" food so a sandwich and crisps/yoghurt or something like cottage pie/pasta
There's a reason I spent a decade in a job where you had to throw your food down your neck and I'm starting to wonder if I still eat too fast...

Bout 7 mins

Part of the reason I eat fast, if it's hot food, is that I don't want it to get cold.

My husband eats fast and it drives me a little bit mad. It's like he thinks someone is going to come and take it away from him. He will eat it red hot, straight out of the oven, he'll hoo and hah because it's so hot and I swear there's no way he can actually taste it because he must have scalded his taste buds off. He will shovel it in and then leap up to put his plate in the dishwasher before he's even finished chewing his last mouthful, long before the rest of us are finished.

He's also currently snoring away like an idling tractor. I deserve a sainthood...!

I eat very slowly, always have. I would never be able to eat anything substantial in five minutes.

Previous jobs have been fast paced and chaotic with short lunch breaks. Fighting for space in the staff room and having to wolf food down in the nano breaks meant most days it was easier to just go hungry. I'd have given anything to skip lunch and leave earlier to eat instead but it was never allowed.

I work for the emergency services I eat ridiculously fast as does DH, same employer. It's actually embarrassing especially in company!

I've tried slowing down but it feels laborious. I'm far to used to chucking food down my throat and straight back to work.

[quote QueenPaw]@ThePricklySheep not that I've noticed but I don't tend to eat with others! At work we all have lunch at a different time too [/quote]
Well I suppose it doesn’t matter then! Do you never eat with friends or family though? In normal times?

@ThePricklySheep not really, no family nearby and I'm funny about eating with people (being judged on what I eat etc) so tend to avoid it!

I used to take my time but since having kids, it feels like if I have to inhale it. There's always someone to sort out/want some of my food/a spillage/whatever. It's a hard habit to break, even if I'm on my own I can't help speed eating!

When alone I eat so slowly that I have to microwave my food halfway through. 30-45 minutes. But I'm a faffer. I'll eat a bit then browse my phone, turn my attention to the TV, etc.

When having a meal with others in faster because obviously it's rude to do that. Although my husband eats like he's about to have his food stolen! 5 minutes max. He's then sat waiting for ages with an empty plate.

I eat fast because I'm hungry. If I'm eating i want it in my stomach as soon as possible!

No idea how people can eat slowly when they're hungry.

That said, I force myself to eat slowly in company, and if I were eating when not hungry - say pudding or a slice of cake mid-morning - I take my time.

Literally 3/4 minutes at most. Slow eaters drive me crazy.

@AfterSchoolWorry

Literally 3/4 minutes at most. Slow eaters drive me crazy.

Same as me, always have done. I hate cooking for the reason it takes an hour or so to cook and 3 minutes to eat. I've now got stomach and bowel issues though and looks like it's because of years of throwing food over my throat and not chewing properly

15-20 roughly for DS and me. However DD and her dad have finished practically before you blink, I think it must be genetic (!)

About 20 minutes, I'm a slow eater. Thirty minute lunch breaks are horrible, always feel rushed.

Yeah about 5 mins. I've also worked in a job that had a 30 minute break and it was a 5 minute walk to the canteen and 5 mins back.

Only a few minutes. I'm a very fast eater.

15-20 minutes. I can spend an hour or two cooking dinner, I am not going to stuff it down in a couple of minutes! I think it is better for you to eat slowly if time/circumstance allows.

If I go out to dinner (oh, remember those days) - an hour or more.

I eat way too fast. If its something cold (sandwich) it will take me 2-3 minutes. Something hot will take about 5-6 minutes.

I've never had a lunch break.

My natural inclination is pretty slow, taking my time. But I can speed up if I need to or if completely ravenous!

I would say about 20 mins but I'm going to actually check tomorrow and properly time myself.

@Glimpsesfromafar

5-10 mins if it's a tasty burger, pizza or curry, 30 mins if it's "healthy" green shite.

A curry in five minutes?!

I'm a really slow eater. I feel like I'm choking if I eat fast. Tonight I had chicken and coleslaw and salad and it took me half an hour.

A lot less than what it takes to prepare it, which is quite frustrating