People who eat lunch in front of their computers consume an average of 125 additional calories in afternoon snacks than those who dine without distractions, according to research conducted in the United Kingdom. Peter Rogers, co-author of the study, confirms that multi-tasking during meals might interfere with the brains ability to remember flavors and textures and impair its knack for detecting the stomach’s subtle fullness cues-the same phenomena that occur when you eat in front of the tube. For more mindful eating, take lunch offline.
Your Challenge
For the next two weeks, put away all the things that you normally distract yourself with while eating. That means, no newspapers, magazines, TV or computer. Spend your meal times just eating, preferably with some company. Focus on the food texture and flavour. This practice might help curb the snack attacks later on, and will help you be on your way to a leaner, more satisfied, you.
