Who doesn't like to eat while watching something on their TV, laptop or phone? The practice is common in many countries, but it has many harmful effects on our bodies, some of which we would not have suspected.
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Eating in front of a screen, a growing trend
Many people eat in front of screens. In fact, a HelloFresh survey carried out in January 2022 revealed that 35.8% of UK families eat dinner in front of the TV, with 28.9% as a family and 6.9% on their own.
The reason? The desire to relax, to finish the episode of a series started the day before, or the need to work. The massive use of telecommuting and the isolation imposed by health restrictions have largely contributed to this trend.
The problem? Far from being harmless, this practice would be really bad for our health, according to Camille Le Queré, a nutritionist doctor interviewed by the magazine Marie Claire.
The effect eating in front of a screen has on our brain
Camille Le Queré explained:
When we eat in front of a screen - whether it's TV, computer, or telephone - we are necessarily much less focused on our food intake.
In fact, when our attention is more focused on what is happening on the screen than on our plate, we don't allow the brain to register the information that we are eating. This has a direct impact on the satisfaction generated, but also on the quantity of food ingested. Needless to say, we eat much more.
We eat more than we need, because we annihilate the perception of pleasure that is provided by food,
The other consequence is the absence of feeling full. If our brain is not aware that it has been fed, we can find ourselves hungry, barely an hour after the meal. We are all aware of the escalation of untimely snacking and junk food that then follows.
Read more: These foods you eat everyday increase risk of cancer
Difficult digestion and stomach problems
Finally, the specialist also notes an important effect on digestion.
The fact of eating in front of a screen has an effect on digestion because we tend to eat more quickly and chew less.
However, food that is not chewed enough means that it is not sufficiently crushed in the stomach, thus requiring greater effort from our digestive system.
Moreover, digestion isn't helped due to the position in which we sit on our sofa (generally slumped, we will not lie), which does not help our poor stomachs. Also, the reinforced speed with which we eat can generate disorders such as gas and acid reflux.
Read more: This is the meal many people ate hours before suffering a heart attack
Re-learn how to eat consciously
This is why it is strongly recommended to make eating a convivialmoment and in full consciousness. A month into 2023, it might be time to relearn how to eat properly. This is a good resolution for this year, even if we're a month in.
This article was translated from Gentside FR.
Sources used:
Maire Claire: 'Ce qu'il se passe dans le corps lorsqu’on mange devant un écran'
HelloFresh: 'UK Households' Dining Habits Survey Results'
