Is Watching TV While Eating Bad For You?
The Dinner and a Movie Combo Isn't Great for Your Waistline
Watching TV—whether you’re flipping through channels or deep into a Netflix binge—just feels better with a cozy setup. Pillows, dim lighting, a warm blanket… and, of course, snacks.
Eating makes watching more fun, and watching makes sharing popcorn, pizza, or whatever you’re craving even better. And let’s be honest—dinnertime is the perfect moment to unwind and catch up on your favorite shows, right?
Well… maybe not. Turns out this habit might not be a good thing.
You Move Less
The thing is, watching TV is a sedentary activity—and that means your body isn’t burning much energy. And what you don’t burn, you store as fat.
Studies show that the more time you spend watching TV—especially for long stretches—the higher your risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and even early death.
You Tend to Eat More
Ever found yourself staring at an empty, family-sized bag of chips mid-episode—wondering when you even ate it all? You’re not alone.
In one study, women who watched TV while snacking ended up eating more—especially when the show was familiar. They were also less tuned in to how full they actually felt, needing to eat more before they felt full.
But what’s interesting was that when the show was unfamiliar or gave them a mood boost, TV didn’t have as much of an effect on how much they ate. Meanwhile, TV made frequent watchers eat more.
So what’s going on? Basically, TV messes with the cues that usually tell us when to stop eating—especially if it’s something we watch a lot or love.
Watching TV while eating doesn’t just make you less aware of your hunger—it also makes it harder to keep track of how much you’ve already eaten. That double distraction can lead to eating more, not just in the moment, but even later in the day.
In fact, research shows that distracted eating has a stronger effect on later snacking than on how much you eat right away. When your brain isn’t fully tuned in during meals, it’s easier to forget you ate at all—so your next snack comes sooner than it probably should.
You Spend More Time Eating
Another thing that contributes to this is the time you spend eating. A study found that eating while watching TV makes you spend more time eating.
Speaking from experience—I don’t leave the table until the show’s over. If there’s food within reach, I’ll keep munching. No food, no problem. But when there is? It’s the perfect setup for overeating.
It Affects Your Food Choices
Think back to the last thing you ate in front of a screen. Was it chips? Pizza? Maybe a burger? Chances are, it wasn’t a salad or a piece of fruit.
Turns out, there’s science behind that. One study from China found that snacking while watching TV was linked to a stronger preference for unhealthy foods among adolescents—and it was also associated with a higher risk of being overweight or obese.
Another study on Chilean children and teens found a similar trend. Most of them ate at least one meal or snack a day while using screens—and for many, that screen-time snacking made up more than a third of their daily calories.
What’s more, the more hours they spent watching TV each week, the more likely they were to reach for sweets, desserts, and sugary drinks.
Meanwhile, a UK study found that children watching TV while eating were likelier to consume ultra-processed foods.
In short? Screen time doesn’t just distract you—it may steer your cravings and influence your eating.
It Affects Your Experience
When you’re focused on a screen, you’re not just ignoring how much you’re eating—you’re also missing out on how the food actually tastes. And when you’re less satisfied, you’re more likely to keep eating… or end up raiding the fridge in search of something that feels more satisfying.
How to Break the Habit
If you already have this habit, here’s what you can do to break it:
Unlink the two. Eat at the table, then watch your show after. Separating meals from screen time not only helps you eat less—it lets you actually enjoy your food.
Practice mindful eating. Focus on what you’re eating. When you tune in to the taste, texture, and fullness cues, you’re more likely to stop when you’re satisfied.
Make smarter snack swaps. If you must munch, go for something nutritious. A second helping of salad is way better than a second bag of chips.
Control your portions. Snacking’s totally fine—just don’t overdo it. Pour out a serving instead. And while you’re at it, take a peek at the nutrition label. One bag doesn’t always equal one serving (even if it feels that way).
Watch something that grabs you. Believe it or not, shows that lift your mood or really engage you can actually reduce the urge to overeat—compared to watching something boring.
Enjoy Both Separately
You’ve earned that meal and that show—just not at the same time. Eating while watching splits your focus, so you don’t fully enjoy either. Try savoring them one after the other for double the satisfaction.
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