Many parents use smartphones and other devices to engage their children – then it’s easier to feed them. But is it worth it?
Checking email, instant messages, watching TV or videos – many do it automatically while eating. Eating without distraction has become boring and difficult for many today. This applies not only to adults, but also to children.
People eat more when their attention is distracted.
Using a smartphone or watching TV while eating has been shown to increase calorie intake. Overeating can eventually lead to obesity.
“Screen time,” the time spent interacting with devices (smartphone, TV, laptop, tablet, computer), is a scientifically proven risk factor for obesity, especially for young people.
While eating “in front of the TV”, the human brain is distracted and sends the wrong signals to the body, does not process the taste of food, food does not bring a feeling of satiety, and the amount eaten is not controlled.
Being distracted by gadgets while eating reduces your metabolic rate, which leads to slow digestion of food and slower fat burning.
Researchers from the University of Birmingham (UK) have discovered a significant difference between the eating behavior of people who eat with gadgets and those who eat without being distracted. It turned out that those who watched TV during lunch ate 19% more cookies a little later than those who ate without being distracted.
Another study conducted by Rutgers University (USA) showed that family members who eat together without distractions are healthier and less likely to suffer from unwanted weight gain. This is especially important for teenagers, who are at higher risk of obesity due to frequent snacking while watching TV.
Parents Use Gadgets to Feed Their Fussy Children
While children are busy watching cartoons or playing games on an app, they are so distracted that they automatically open their mouths and obediently swallow all the food.
The problem is that the child’s attention is constantly focused on the screen. He is unable to fully taste the food. Another problem is that the child, distracted by cartoons, does not always chew properly, and swallowing unchewed pieces of food can cause choking or lead to indigestion and upset stomach. Gradually, such behavior can develop into a habit.
How to Focus on Food
- Make sure there is nothing on the table that can distract you from eating, put away your phone and computer.
- Make it a rule to eat only at the dining table, not on the sofa, in bed, or in the bedroom.
- Set a timer for about 20 minutes and make sure you eat during that entire period.
- Don’t eat while working on your laptop.
- Give up the habit of snacking while talking on the phone.
- Try using chopsticks if you’re new to this – you simply won’t be able to get distracted by watching TV.
- Take small bites and chew thoroughly.
- Before eating, ask yourself if you are really hungry.
Avoid late night snacking. After a long, stressful day, many people crave unhealthy sugary and salty foods while watching TV.
Feed your child when you eat yourself, show an example, talk about food, what the dish consists of. In this case, cartoons will not be needed. Remember that conscious eating is useful for controlling appetite and maintaining weight.