My son is 11, he quite literally inhales his food! It's quite frustrating, I've only sat down with my plate, I look in his direction and he's already on his last bite. And no he didn't have a small portion. The other kids still have almost all their food on their plates still, couple of years younger, they don't have issue with food and eat at a normal pace.
It sounds like he's out of breath whilst eating, like he's gone out running and came home, he's just eaten food, why is he out of breath and acting all tired? I've told him numerous times, to slow down and take his time whilst eating, there is no rush and he is causing himself to get tired by eating so fast. He even chugs water down, instead of sipping which causes him to choke on the water. I do wonder what he eats like at school!
The problem is he gets annoyed and angry at me for telling him to eat properly at a normal pace and use a napkin to keep face clean whilst eating. I feel he's setting a bad example to the rest of the kids and also at a loss at why he eats like that, where has he picked this up from as we don't eat like that or deprive him of food. Even when we go out to eat, I have to remind him to eat slowly and nicely! He's 11 not 5! So it is really frustrating.
Funnily enough it reminds me of my brother growing up! My dad would tell him off for inhaling food. My son hasn't picked it from my brother though as he lives in a different country, we don't see him at all.
Any help suggestions on how I can manage this? I'm thinking of putting a timer on and he shouldn't finish before the timer ends? But I also do worry about making it a massive deal which leads to problem with food later on in life.