TV and Food | Video

Amy Fox | 3/19/2013

When we sit down to watch TV, a lot of us grab chips or candy on our way to the couch. But new research says that may not be a good thing.

"It`s called distracted eating and sometimes we just start doing a couple of things at once, multi-tasking again, different eating behaviors and sometimes we don`t realize how much we are eating if our mind is focusing on something else," said Trinity Health Outpatient Dietician Michelle Fundingsland.

When we attempt to multi-task, we usually continue to eat because we`re focusing on something, like our favorite TV show.

"I know it`s not good to grab a bag of chips and go sit down and eat because you can very easily just go through the whole bag," said Brittany Seibert, healthy eater.

Fundingsland said, "It doesn`t register in our brain that we`ve eaten that amount of calories.”

As Fundingsland explains, what you watch on TV can influence your shopping list.

"You might get cravings or you might think to pick that up at the grocery store the next time."

The next time you reach for the remote, instead of grabbing a chip, Fundingsland recommends reaching for something healthy.

“Of course if you want to lower calories, pick vegetables, you know, crunchy vegetables and fruits."

For Seibert, a part-time college student, she said it`s easy to overeat, especially when multi-tasking. But, she`s trying to be healthier.

"I’ve been kind of more of a health fanatic lately, so I try not to. It does happen once in a while. I am right now because I am doing homework. It`s taking me so long and my stomach starts to growl."

"We always talk about only eating in the kitchen or dining room at a table and just only eat that`s it. Don`t use the computer or don`t read a book because you`re mindlessly eating and then not paying attention," said Fundingsland.

Research says on average, those who eat in front of the TV consume about 10 percent more food than those who don`t.

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