Eating While Distracted: It’s A Fat Trap!

Trying to shed those last few kilos?

Bad nutrition habits that you’re not even aware of may make it difficult to drop those last few kgs.

Here’s how to pick up healthy habits that will get your weight loss and running goals on track.

The amount of time people spend eating while multi-tasking has rised sharply over the last three decades, according to a study published in the Journal of Consumer Affairs.

This behaviour makes it more difficult to monitor kilojoule intake. It’s like reading on the treadmill: you don’t do either well. You’ll end up eating faster, which leads to over-consuming kilojoules and… yup, you guessed it, weight gain.

• Turn off the TV. Put down the newspaper. Move away from your computer.
• Focus on your food!
• Have an eating place – wherever you are. Remove all distractions.
• If you usually eat breakfast or lunch at your desk, stop scrolling through emails between bites. Swivel your chair away from the desk, or minimise everything on-screen (it’s too tempting watching the emails or Facebook / Twitter feed!)
• If you’re at home, don’t eat at the couch. Sit at a table.
• Wherever you are: make eating an event – and enjoy it!