A new study conducted by scientists at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts has shown that watching television while eating can have more serious consequences than using a smartphone during meals.
The researchers aimed to understand how different digital distractions affect food intake and portion control. The study involved 114 men and women who were not informed of the experiment’s true purpose and were told that it focused on multitasking.
All participants were offered the same snacks—potato chips and chocolate candies—and were divided into three groups. The first group ate while watching television, the second group focused on their smartphones, and the third group ate without any distractions.
The results were striking. Participants who watched television while eating consumed significantly more calories. On average, those in the “TV group” consumed approximately 164 kilocalories, compared to about 131 kilocalories consumed by participants who ate without any distractions. The difference between smartphone users and those without distractions was minimal and not statistically significant.
According to the study’s authors, television acts as a particularly powerful distraction. It reduces the brain’s ability to register what and how much is being eaten, which can delay or even prevent the feeling of fullness.
Scientists suggest that smartphones have a weaker effect because using them typically involves both hands, whereas watching television leaves the hands free, encouraging almost automatic eating. The researchers recommend avoiding watching television while eating whenever possible in order to better control portion sizes and respond to the body’s natural hunger and satiety signals.
A Small Habit That Can Make a Big Difference
If you have already decided to reduce mindless snacking in front of the television, you can replace that time with a more beneficial activity. For example, instead of turning on the TV in the morning or during a break, you can calmly explore healthy, beneficial, and high-quality products, learn about their ingredients, and choose what truly supports your well-being.
On Beyston.com, you can find carefully selected products for health, personal care, and lifestyle—without rushing, without unnecessary distractions, and with a more mindful approach. Sometimes, the right choice begins the moment we turn off the television and focus on our health.