Everyday Systems

I know, I know.....that's the first thing the experts tell you not to do. Might as well be on the couch shoveling food in your mouth, because you're so caught up in what you're reading that you're not paying attention to what goes into your mouth, and before you know it, your food is gone.

Well, I've always loved to read when I happen to be having lunch or a snack by myself. And yes, in the past it had that exact effect. In fact, I'd eat more and longer because I'd get into a good story and wouldn't want to stop at the good part.

But, I've put a new spin on it and it's actually helping me now....

I've started reading my health magazines (i.e. Self, Shape, Health, etc.) while I eat. I incorporate my other new habit (slow eating, putting fork down between each bite, pay attention to taste/texture, etc.) And during my pause between each bite, I read about all these success stories, healthy food ideas, exercises that actually look interesting, and in general, optimistic info on keeping healthy and fit.

So, if I was actually craving a greasy meal or some sweets at the start of my meal, I find that by the middle of it I'm content with my plate of healthy food and by the end I'm actually more psyched about dieting than I was just a short half hour ago. It's like getting a pep talk from a coach while you eat.

Plus, I don't have to give up my indulgence of reading while I eat.

Well, y'know, most of the danger people are worried about with reading while you eat is that you're presumably going to eat too much without noticing. NoS helps with that, since (if you're following the one-plate guideline) you're deciding in advance how much you're going to eat. If you're strict about that, reading or doing other stuff won't lead to mindlessly eating too much.

I'm pretty much always doing several other things while I eat, up to and including rock climbing (no, not really), and I haven't found it to be a problem.

I LOVE reading while I eat. Although I'm sure it's true that it keeps me from experiencing and appreciating my food as fully as I should, it's such a relaxing pleasure to me that I can't see giving it up.

Thalia wrote:I LOVE reading while I eat.

Me, too. Although if I'm eating something particularly glorious, I don't want to be distracted from it.

Reading while I eat slows me down for sure. I find I eat less when I take time to taste and think about what I'm eating.

I read while I eat alone. I'm pretty comfortable with that, because I've plated the food first, and can't have seconds, anyway.

I HATE health and fitness mags. They've got all the scientific integrity of sewer rats.

I don't like to read or do anything involving while I eat anymore. I feel like there's a part of my mind that is keeping track of eating enough or enough variety by sight alone, and if I don't see it go into my mouth, that food does not get counted. and that part of me wants more. My mouth feels it, my stomach feels it, and *I* know it, but a silent part of me doesn't know what it didn't see.

If I looked at every bite while reading or watching a movie, I'm sure it would be different, but I don't.

I'm a word junky: I read for a living (I'm a freelance book editor) and I read for pleasure. I also live alone. This means that I don't always have somebody to share a meal with. So yes, I read while I eat. In this way, I combine my two greatest pleasures: stuffing my face and stuffing my brain. (More elegantly put: feeding body and mind.)

Reading at the table is still a much better alternative, to my mind, than eating in front of the TV.

NoelFigart wrote:I HATE health and fitness mags. They've got all the scientific integrity of sewer rats.

LOL. I just love how you word your opinions.

I read message boards while I eat, it slows down my eating, I have to pause to scroll the page, and since my food is pre-plated I am not overeating.

I used to eat huge bowls of popcorn while reading a novel so this is a great improvement.

btw, I started no s 2 weeks ago today(all green/yellow) and I lost 6 pounds. For now, I will keep reading while I eat, my laptop lives on the dining room table

gk wrote:LOL. I just love how you word your opinions.

*grin* Thanks. Being a writer, it's always nice to hear stuff like that.

I don't read while I eat, because I find that if I try to do both, I don't concentrate nearly as well on my book, or on my food.
I'm glad it's working so well for you!

I've never been able to understand why watching TV/reading/whatever and eating at the same time have to be mutually exclusive. Contrary to the popular opinion, it always slows be down BIG TIME. And dividing your attention between the plate and book/screen isn't that hard either. Take a bite or two, then read a page. Repeat.

I, too, love to read and eat at the same time. Especially message boards (a challenge keeping my computer screen clean!, since the salad dressing seems to fly.). I live alone a lot of the time (share a house with people who are gone a lot) and since trying to eat more healthy, it takes so long to chew a large salad, so I do best if I can be absorbed in something I'm reading and not gettig all bored with how long it's taking to finish my meal. I don't think I get more enjoyment out of the taste or anything if I "only" eat, I enjoy my food pleny in any case!

Imogen Morley wrote:I've never been able to understand why watching TV/reading/whatever and eating at the same time have to be mutually exclusive. Contrary to the popular opinion, it always slows be down BIG TIME. And dividing your attention between the plate and book/screen isn't that hard either. Take a bite or two, then read a page. Repeat.

I think it's because in many cases, especially snacking situations, you eat a lot more. Most folks don't put a serving of popcorn, or potato chips or chips and salsa on a plate and eat until it's gone. They take a big bowl of popcorn or the bag of chips and eat until it's gone. Less attention is paid to how much is being eaten.

osoniye wrote:I do best if I can be absorbed in something I'm reading and not gettig all bored with how long it's taking to finish my meal.

I don't think I've EVER had the problem of being bored with how long it takes to finish a meal!! I'm always sad when it's over and already looking forward to the next meal! Gee......I wonder why I need No S.....

gk wrote:
I don't think I've EVER had the problem of being bored with how long it takes to finish a meal!! I'm always sad when it's over and already looking forward to the next meal! Gee......I wonder why I need No S.....

I actually don't think that's a problem. In fact, I think it's pretty normal. It's anticipation of something pleasurable.