This eating habit is making you gain weight

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Mobile phones at the dinner table ruin the mood in groups. But even if you're eating alone, it's better to put your smartphone aside.

The eternal question of what a mobile phone does during a meal seems to have been answered. Whether alone at the table or together at dinner, the answer is the same in both cases: nothing.

People who prefer to spend time with their smartphones rather than interacting with other people generally enjoy their meals less than people who chat.

“Simply leaving your cell phone on the dinner table has a negative impact on communication and a sense of togetherness. This means that meaningful conversations are less likely. By the way, it doesn’t matter whether the cell phone is on the table with the display facing up or down,” says a dietitian.

Here’s why your cell phone has no place at the dinner table

That's the thing about smartphones at social events. But when you're eating alone, you might think you can look at your phone.

However, researchers have found that you consume an average of 15 percent more calories while doing so. It doesn't matter if it's your cell phone, TV or newspaper – because you're no longer just concentrating on your food, you often just eat beyond your fullness.

“If you focus on your plate, you'll notice when you've eaten enough. On the other hand, you don't risk overeating.”

Those who focus on their food gain less weight

Researchers say anyone who constantly focuses on other things while eating may be at an increased risk of gaining weight. So it's not just about what you eat, it's also about how you eat.

How to lose weight: tips backed by science

“Your body is not a calculator. And while it needs a daily dose of energy to survive, it also needs the right nutrition to function properly. It’s virtually impossible to get all the nutrients your body needs on a very low-calorie diet, even if you eat only healthy foods.”

If you’re not getting enough protein and aren’t strength training regularly, extremely restrictive diets can cause you to start burning more muscle mass for energy instead of fat. Why does this matter? You lose valuable muscle mass, which is key to maintaining your metabolism and improving your overall quality of life.

In addition, losing muscle mass increases your overall body fat percentage, even though the number on the scale is decreasing.

“You can calculate your calorie needs for weight loss using a percentage reduction, aiming to consume 20-30% fewer calories than you need to maintain.”

For example, if you need to eat 2,000 calories a day to maintain your weight, a 20% reduction would give you 1,600 calories a day (2,000 x 80%), while a 30% reduction would allow you to consume about 1,400 calories a day (2,000 x 80%). 70%).