Tips to Avoid Television Eating Habits
August 23rd, 2008 by Joel Riley
How much TV do you watch? The average family watches about 55 hours of television a week; that is a lot of time in front of a television set, but is the main souse for family entertainment.
Because people spend so much time watching TV, they are also forming bad eating habits. It’s just normal to munch on something sweet or salty while watching television; the problem isn’t so much that people are snacking; it’s the choices in snacks that cause them to get that spare tire.
Potato chips are one of the more popular options that people snack on while watching their favorite shows. While they’re easy to eat, they also come in many flavors and different textures. Ice cream is another example of a popular TV snack for the same reason.
What is it that drives us to scarf down snacks during our favorite programs? For some, it’s a bad habit that’s developed over time. For others, it may be a temptation brought on by the endless amount of commercials that promote the snacks you crave.
Regrettably, too much snacking and sitting will eventually turn into an expanded waistline. How can this be prevented? If you feel the need to munch on something, try to opt for a healthier choice. But even a healthy snack can be pointless if you consume too much in one sitting.
The biggest problem with snacking in front of the television is that you’re easily distracted from the bag of chips or tub of ice cream in front of you and before you know it, most of it’s in your belly. Try to keep your snack to a sensible portion, such as a small bowl.
Watching TV isn’t the culprit; it’s the snacking you do while you’re watching. You can watch TV and walk on a tread mill at the same time, or use a stationary bike and still watch your show. It’s beneficial on so many levels and will keep you from wanting to snack.
You could also try to limit the amount of time you spend watching television. Spend quality time with your family by playing games or engaging in a hobby that everyone can enjoy. Or you could just sit back and read a good book.
Everything in moderation is the answer to this on-going problem of mindless snacking while watching your shows. Take control of your time and manage it accordingly. Set a good example for your kids so that this tradition of TV time snacking can be broken. If you do this, you won’t have to buy size bigger pants every other month.
- Posted in Beauty