Growing up, I never thought twice about sitting down to eat in front of the TV.

It was simply how things were done in my family, we would set their plates down in the living room, and together we’d tune into our favorite shows, barely looking away from the screen between bites.

This habit was as much a part of our routine as the meals themselves, and from what I’ve seen, it’s a pretty common tradition in certain parts of the world.

Yet, over the years, I’ve started to wonder about how this habit shapes our relationship with food and the way we eat.

Psychology tells us that eating while distracted can actually lead to certain behaviors and mindsets around food and mealtime that we might not even be aware of.

In this article, I’ll explore seven behaviors linked to the habit of eating in front of the TV—some of which you may recognize if you’ve spent many meals with a screen as your dining companion.

1) You might be an emotional eater

Let’s kick things off with emotional eating.

Are you familiar with the term?

It’s when we use food as a way to deal with feelings instead of satisfying hunger.

And you know what? The TV-dinner habit is closely associated with this behavior.

When we’re engrossed in our favorite show, it’s easy to lose track of how much we’re consuming. We’re not really eating because we’re hungry, but because we’re caught up in the emotions of the characters on screen.

And let’s not forget those comfort food commercials. They’re designed to tempt us into emotional eating.

So, if you find yourself reaching for that bag of chips whenever you’re watching TV, you might be using food as a coping mechanism for your emotions.

2) You could be prone to distraction

As a child, I used to love eating my dinner in front of the TV. But one day, I noticed something – I’d often end up missing crucial parts of the show I was watching.

Why?

Because I was paying attention to my food and vice versa.

Eating and watching TV at the same time means you’re splitting your attention between two tasks. This can lead to us being less focused on both.

And it’s not just about missing the plot twists in your favorite show. This tendency to be easily distracted can extend to other areas of your life too, say, work or relationships.

If this sounds familiar, it might be a sign that you’re prone to distraction. 

3) You might not be as mindful

Eating in front of the TV can be a sign of not being mindful.

Mindfulness is all about being present in the moment, being aware of what we’re doing.

But when we’re watching something on TV while eating, are we really paying attention to either?

Remember the last time you ate while watching TV. Did you notice the flavor of your food? Or were you too wrapped up in the latest episode of your favorite series?

Mindless eating can lead to overeating, and even weight gain, since we’re not paying attention to our body’s fullness cues.

So if you’ve been wondering why those extra pounds just won’t budge, or why that bag of chips emptied so quickly, this could be it. 

Start practicing mindful eating and notice how your eating experience totally changes for the better!

4) You may be less socially active

Ever noticed how the TV can become a third wheel when you’re eating with someone?

When we eat our meals in front of the TV, we miss out on valuable face-to-face interaction.

We’re not engaging in conversation, sharing our day, or creating those memorable moments that come with shared meals.

And let’s face it, it’s pretty hard to make meaningful connections when your attention is divided between your food and the latest season of that thriller series.

If you tend to prefer eating alone with your favorite show instead of joining family or friends at the dinner table, it might indicate that you’re a bit less socially active.

We all enjoy a little ‘me time’. The key is balance.

5) You could be lacking in self-discipline

Self-discipline. It’s a trait we all aspire to have, right?

When we choose to eat our meals in front of the TV, we’re essentially giving in to our desire for instant gratification.

We want to enjoy our meal, and we want to catch up on our favorite show – and we want it all at the same time.

It’s a bit like that famous Stanford Marshmallow Experiment where children had to choose between one immediate reward or two rewards if they waited.

Those who waited were found to have better life outcomes in the long run.

6) You might be seeking comfort

Life can be tough sometimes, can’t it?

And in those moments, we all seek a bit of comfort. For some of us, that comfort comes in the form of a warm meal and our favorite TV show. It’s like wrapping yourself in a blanket of familiarity.

There’s something soothing about losing ourselves in the on-screen drama while enjoying our dinner. It’s an escape from reality, a little bubble of happiness.

If this sounds like you, it might mean you’re seeking comfort in routine and familiarity. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. We all need our safe spaces.

The trick is to not let it become a crutch that keeps us from facing the world as it is.

7) You may not be prioritizing your health

Here’s the thing.

When we eat while distracted, we tend to consume more than we need. It’s easy to overeat when our attention is on the latest plot twist rather than on our meal.

This lack of focus on what and how much we’re eating can lead to health issues like:

• Weight gain
• Heart disease
• Diabetes over time

Remember, your body is your home, so take care of it!

Wrapping it up