• Multitasking while eating can make you fat!

    Date: 2011.10.04 | Category: Healthy Eating | Tags: ,,,,

    Multi Tasking While Eating can lead to weight gain!

    Texting, talking on the phone, checking emails, tweeting, watching TV, and many other “multitasking” past times are causing health problems.  It has been well studied that people who participate in these activities have an increase in health risk.  Not only do sedentary activities take time away from more active alternatives, but researchers are finding that many “multitaskers” eat while doing these tasks.  They eat mindlessly and therefore tend to eat almost 100% more food than if they had been sitting peacefully with their meal… chewing mindfully and slowly.  Snacking while distracted was increased to unto 100% more as well.  They eat without the brain registering satisfaction and therefore with a very delayed response to satiety or the feeling of being “full”.

    It really doesn’t matter the activity, but it is rather the distraction that takes away from the full experience and therefore leads to overeating without complete satisfaction.  In fact, eating was such a mindless event, that many people can’t even remember what they ate.

    Advice:

    1. Do NOTHING during mealtime except eat!  Savor every bite and be grateful.
    2. Take several deep breathes during meal time.  Use this time to nourish your body and your mind by just sitting with your meal.  You will feel more satisfied and more full.
    3. Noticing the colors and the texture of your food will actually send healing signals to your brain and aide in improving physical and emotional health.
    4. Invite your family to quiet mealtimes.  Children need time to pause and to learn an appreciation for food