2 Reasons why I consciously avoid watching a screen while eating… most of the time

Do you find yourself eating while doing something else, eating the last bite and noticing "Ooh dear… already finished!"?

I did this so many times, we’re so busy, there's no time to waste, right? But then, you feel so stressed, always on the run, eating gets somehow messy, unsatisfying, or you start to notice you get really bloated… here are 2 reasons, that are much much deeper than they seem, why I refuse to eat while watching a screen… or doing something else… as often as possible.

Reason #1, An emotional reason

 It took me many years to realise that I enjoy eating and should have no shame in doing so. Then, I decided I could enjoy the experience better by being more present with my food. It took me a long time to realise that I should neither be ashamed of enjoying food nor try to numb the joy of eating as if it were a too primal necessity for us homo! It is a joy, often a privilege to eat good nutritious foods. We are wired to enjoy our food in many ways. Our biology makes us enjoy food, food is fuel, food is connection, food is soothing… emotionally, physiologically.

Additionally, eating more mindfully gives me a break in my day, and allows me to disconnect to be able to reconnect, a bit like your computer goes into sleep mode to save power. I enjoy connecting with my body's sensations and the biological activities going on without any conscious effort. This link to the animal kingdom is to be honoured really. Although, I don't always consciously think about it in those terms. Most of the time I feel more like I'm chewing and tasting with a blank brain! but it doesn’t matter, it is part of the enjoyment.

Reason #2, A physiological reason

We digest better when we 1) anticipate our food, 2) slow down, 3) relax the nervous system to enter into parasympathetic "rest & digest". By watching a screen I monopolise a portion of my brain to remain in the "fight-or-flight" mode of the sympathetic nervous system, I block the messages my brain receives to feel satiated or to send signals to trigger digestive juices and enzymes production. Hello reflux, bloating, feeling heavy and sleepy after food! It has been shown by research many times that those who eat while watching a screen tend to overeat. If it is not your case, then good for you, but it was definitely my case. You must have heard of the gut-brain axis. The concept is far-reaching and describes well how there are bi-directional communications between the gut and the brain, digestion and satiety are part of them. And if food is not well digested, nutrients aren't well absorbed and your body does not work well.

I mention screens, but I can also add other "distractions", like… working (especially on a computer), reading (on a screen, but also a book) and even  listening to some podcast (especially if it is work-related or requires your attention), listening to the news (rarely good news)… Our society doesn’t lack any inspiration for sources of distractions. Having your eyes fixed on something else than your food is to be avoided. If your brain is really focused and active on something else, it dramatically reduces the enjoyment of food AND impairs the digestion of your food.

Now, let's be realistic, it is not always possible to eat, barefoot on the grass, grounding and watching tree leaves bristle in the wind and chew each mouthful of your food mindfully feeling gratitude for the beautiful moment... Sometimes, we're eating with friends and don't watch our foods so well, or we're scolding our often-arguing kids while having a family dinner. It happens and that’s normal. Sometimes, we go back to previous habits and eat while finishing that one last bit of work and that's okay too. There's no black or white way of eating, but let's say that being more present with my food is the way I find I'd like to tend towards as often as I can, so I can calm my nervous system and digest better, with more satisfaction, guilt free. But don't get me wrong, this is not always easy. You have to let go of wanting to do more, being efficient; at first you may have to make a conscious effort to take a break. Transitioning between being super busy and taking a break can be very uncomfortable, as if taking a break would make us lose our momentum.

Your brain needs breaks to process incoming information and recuperate from stress; if you don’t take a conscious break, your brain will take subconscious breaks and you’ll increase chances of fatigue.

Take a break, you will bounce back and won't lose your momentum.