Expert Explains Why Eating in Front of The TV is Bad For You

Dinner on the couch, your favorite series or program before your eyes, and, why not, even some snacks within reach: a familiar scene for many, yet one that turns out to be anything but beneficial. Eating in front of the television or, in general, in front of a screen has a negative impact on our health. As Dr. Daniele Giacalone explains, "there wouldn't be any danger if movie night were planned, with meals planned throughout the day for that moment, when you can indulge a little more. But when it becomes a habit, rather than a sporadic episode, it can potentially cause various damages." Let's see what they are and how to behave.

1. Eating Without Realizing It

Whether it's television, a tablet, or a cell phone, when we're in front of a screen, our attention automatically shifts to what we're watching, leaving food in the background, which simply becomes something to fill the time while we watch. Not only do we no longer concentrate on what's on our plate, but we also don't listen to our body's signals: this means we don't feel full, resulting in impulsive consumption . "The brain," says Giacalone, "doesn't correctly register either taste or the amount ingested, and so it has the feeling of not having eaten enough."

2. Difficult Digestion and Gastric Problems

Another typical consequence of eating on the couch —often after a busy day—is related to digestion. "For many people, I'd say most, dinner is the largest meal of the day: more time to cook, more freedom in scheduling, less stress than during the lunch break." Remaining seated (or worse, lying down) during the digestive phase can promote the onset of problems such as gastroesophageal reflux, a feeling of heaviness, and indigestion. "The digestive system works at maximum capacity, but without minimal energy expenditure and in an incorrect position. It's a common mistake that, if repeated, can worsen over time and turn into a harmful habit for the stomach."

3. Risk of Being Overweight

We've seen that when we eat carelessly, we tend to consume more calories than necessary, and almost always at the most inappropriate time of day. Generally speaking, the nutritionist specifies, "midday should represent around 35% of our daily caloric intake, while dinner should not exceed 25-30%." Eating dinner in front of the television promotes fat accumulation and slows metabolism, which can contribute to obesity. "In children, the risk is even more serious, because it exposes them early on to an unbalanced eating pattern that can potentially cause childhood obesity."

4. Hungrier, Worse Choices

"Eating in front of the television isn't strictly related to junk food, but there's certainly a greater chance of giving in to ultra-processed foods, such as crisps, when you're very hungry at dinner." However, the TV becomes above all a lever to prolong the meal beyond measure: "Maybe you've prepared something healthy, like fish, but then you get up to get some bread, a piece of cheese, and so on, with a gesture that, as already mentioned, becomes automatic."

5. Some Advice

“Eating dinner in front of the television every day is not a healthy practice, but those looking for an evening treat can turn to pleasant alternatives that also work in front of the screen: we are talking about the third snack of the day (after the mid-morning snack and the afternoon snack) which is consumed a few hours before going to sleep and must be portioned out”. Here are some options:

• Homemade popcorn is a great option: it's corn-based, not too high in calories, and keeps you feeling full if you use the right amount.
• 100% nut spreads like peanut butter, almond butter, or hazelnut spread (not Nutella) are always fine if used in moderation. The key is to choose organic products with no added sugars. They have a runny consistency and can therefore be served with apple or banana slices, or spread on crackers.
• Ice cream isn't a given if you've managed your meals well throughout the day, burning adequate calories. From this perspective, a creamy ice cream is better than a fruit-only one, as it has a more balanced distribution of macronutrients (fats, carbohydrates, and proteins) than the latter, which is higher in sugar, and produces a satiating and long-lasting effect.