Now that I live by myself I don't have anyone to sit down with while eating. I get bored if I'm doing nothing but chewing, so I'll end up wolfing down my meal just to "get it over with," even though I'm naturally a slow poke.

Lately I've started watching TV while eating to avoid boredom, but I've heard this is a bad idea.

What do you guys do while eating?

Now that I live by myself I don't have anyone to sit down with while eating. I get bored if I'm doing nothing but chewing, so I'll end up wolfing down my meal just to "get it over with," even though I'm naturally a slow poke.

Lately I've started watching TV while eating to avoid boredom, but I've heard this is a bad idea.

What do you guys do while eating?

Ok well number one thing to remember is diet/eating is 2/3's of your cutting or bulking programme, therefore you have to get used to eating frequently on a basis of 5-6 meals daily. Make eating fun and inspiring, create new receipes using your favourite ingredients, make it into something positive rather than enduring another negative in your life.

Remember you dont eat to live but live to eat :bb: haha

Lately I've started watching TV while eating to avoid boredom, but I've heard this is a bad idea.

What do you guys do while eating?

The only time we eat at home without the TV on is when we have guests or a dinner party. Outside of that, my wife and I NEVER eat without watching something on TV.

The only time we eat at home without the TV on is when we have guests or a dinner party. Outside of that, my wife and I NEVER eat without watching something on TV.

Me too, minus the wife part. But I live with my girlfriend, and we ALWAYS watch tv while we eat... so yeah I guess that's not different at all, haha, but yeah... wanted to put in my 2 cents. :eat:

Now that I live by myself I don't have anyone to sit down with while eating. I get bored if I'm doing nothing but chewing, so I'll end up wolfing down my meal just to "get it over with," even though I'm naturally a slow poke.

Lately I've started watching TV while eating to avoid boredom, but I've heard this is a bad idea.

What do you guys do while eating?

I don't see what the problem with watching TV while eating would be...I think the only time it's a problem is if you become one of those people who can't watch TV without eating, and from the sounds of it, that's not your problem.

Eating is supposed to not be boring? That misconception is probably why so many people end up overweight in the first place. I've eaten almost all my meals alone for the past four years. It's boring and it sucks, but food is just fuel anyways. Though, I find it even more annoying to have to eat with someone now... a man really does just want to eat in peace, etc.

However, with that said, I see that you're female. I don't often see women eating alone in the cafeteria, so, perhaps, you've been brought up to think socialization (and, therefore in some manner, fun) is necessary to eating? That might be something to think about (as well as how it's affected your nutrition in the past). It didn't come across in your post, so why do you think eating your food quickly is a bad thing? Also, are you trying to lose or gain weight?

Well I love eating which is why I'm losing weight in the first place.

Do you cook? I like to cook different meals acouple times a week when I have the time. I either get recipes from this site or healthy recipes from other sites. I think it's fun to make different kinds of food and play around with ideas, and see how it tastes once its all done. For example, I made chicken fajitas using chicken breasts, whole wheat tortillas, fat free sour cream, sauteed peppers and onions, and lettuce and tomatoes. Delicious. Try doing that, it keeps things exciting and healthy. I'm going to try to make spaghetti and meat balls this weekend with very lean ground beef and turkey sausage in the meat balls and whole wheat spaghetti. I'm getting excited just thinking about it...then again, as I said, I love eating so maybe this won't work for you.

I cam sympathize with you. I do not eat many meals alone but when I do I am bored also. I do not think there is anything wrong with watching TV while you eat. Especially if it helps slow you down. However, I on occasion read while eating alone. It does not matter whether it is the newspaper, magazine or a good book. You might try that if watching TV bothers you.

Also, try some new recipes maybe you are just bored with your food. The recipe section of the forum has some good ideas/ links. I recently made the '"The Kernel's" chicken. 11 herbs and spices!' from the forum and really liked it. If you enjoy your food you will be more likely to savor it and less likely to rush.

It takes more food to make you feel full if you rush so slow down and enjoy.

Good Luck

Read, write, up-date your food log, play video games, watch TV/movie, prepare other meals, browse the internet, or just stand around. I don't see that there is much you can't do while eating except intense workouts (which might make you sick).

When my wife and I eat together, it's usually in front of the TV. If she's not home when I eat, I'm usually at my computer in some fashion. During the work day, I just keep on working as I eat much lunches at my desk. I typically prepare breakfast in stages, eating while doing so, and all the while getting my lunch stuff ready to take with me.

I recommend doing the dishes while eating: It's great to have the dishes done before you finish eating your meal (except for the plate it's on). Also, it makes sure all left overs are packed away (in properly measured portions ready for lunches) so there is no temptation to pick at things or go back for seconds!

I suppose if you feel the need to sit at some sort of table, you might be limited in what you can do.

Thanks for the responses, everyone! I like a lot of the ideas you suggested - will try them out and see what sticks.

I was initially concerned because of studies that show that eating in front of the TV is correlated with higher BMI or obesity, most likely due to decreased awareness of food consumed. I'm trying to establish healthier habits, so I wondered what you all were doing. I suppose it's not a huge deal if one is careful about portions. :)

Thanks again!

I find eating a chore but I always do it in front of the TV. It would be even more boring without. But as the others are saying as long as it's watching TV while you eat rather than eating while watching TV you should be fine.

Half the time when I am eating I am cooking more food for later and meals for the kids or wife. So it is like a continuous cycle.

With me it is more a case of what have I not done while eating I find most of the time by the time I have sat down most of my meal has been eaten while in transit :lol: or while the other half is still cooking.

I go through phases where I experiment with new stuff or just cook the same old stuff I always eat but my diet is quite varied anyway so it is not a problem.

I do agree with you eating can be boring but I love eating period ;) so for me it is fun to be bored.