Everyone loves to get stuck into a good series, right? And, with various streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime available, there’s plenty of choice to keep you entertained for hours on end.
However, Kiran Jones, Clinical Pharmacist and weight loss expert at Oxford Online Pharmacy warns consumers about the dangers of eating while binge-watching.
Here, she reveals why mindlessly chowing down on your favourite naughty snacks for hours on end could be detrimental to health and offers tips on how to break the cycle.
Is eating while watching TV unhealthy?
Several studies suggest an unhealthy link between watching TV and having an unhealthy relationship with food.
One recent study identified that adolescents who ate more than once a week while watching TV were more likely to prefer fast food, salty snacks and soft drinks, and were more likely to be obese.
That’s because, according to experts, we’re more likely to feel hungrier when watching TV, as the body keeps producing ghrelin (the hunger hormone), which makes us feel more hungry and want to snack more. Plus, eating while watching screens the body produces more cortisol, so you’re more have tired muscles and feel more fatigued.
How to get out of the habit of snacking and watching TV
1. Take a break and have dinner without screens
It might be tempting to stick on your favourite series while eating dinner after a long day, but it’s best to avoid watching TV during mealtimes if you don’t want to put on weight.
That’s because sitting down with no distractions can help to reduce mindless overeating, and enjoying your food with all your senses encourages a healthy metabolism.
Plus, sitting at the table to eat will put your body into relaxation mode, activating the parasympathetic system and allowing your body to rest and digest food properly.
But don’t rush back to the sofa straight after eating – wait 10-15 minutes to encourage healthy digestion and avoid upsetting your metabolism.
2. Make simple healthy food swaps
Classic TV snacks might include chocolate, sweets and crisps – which are full of sugar and high in salt. But it’s time to ditch unhealthy snacks for something a little healthier.
Healthy food swaps might include complex carbs like fibre-rich fruits or crackers, which have been found to promote sleep and support weight loss.
Meanwhile, popcorn might strike you as an indulgent snack, but plain popcorn is actually great for weight loss as it’s low in calories and high in fibre.
3. Distract yourself and be mindful
When you’re watching TV, you’re more likely to pay less attention to what you’re eating, so even if you aren’t hungry, your hands wander into the snack bowl if given the opportunity.
To avoid this, consider investing in something that can keep your hands busy, such as painting your nails, using a fidget toy, or knitting.
And if that doesn’t help, limit to how much you eat during a streaming binge, such as only having one bowl of popcorn rather than the whole bag.
Featured image c/o River Island
