For many people today – especially the younger generation – meals often come with a phone in hand. Whether it’s scrolling through short videos or watching something while eating alone, the habit feels normal and harmless. But what seems like a small routine could quietly be affecting your health in ways you might not expect.
Studies suggest that eating while glued to a screen can confuse the body. When your focus stays on videos instead of the food in front of you, your brain reacts differently. Instead of recognising that you’re eating and slowly feeling full, it responds to the entertainment on the screen. This can delay the signal that tells you you’ve had enough, leading you to eat more than your body actually needs.
Distraction during meals also takes away from the simple pleasure of eating. When you’re not fully aware of the smell, taste, and texture of your food, satisfaction drops. Over time, this can push people toward stronger flavours and less healthy options, often high in spice, oil, or sugar. These choices can slow down metabolism and increase the chances of gaining weight, especially around the stomach.
Researchers have also linked screen use during meals to long-term health risks. People tend to eat much faster when distracted, and eating quickly has been associated with problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, and other metabolic conditions. On top of that, spending too much time on screens encourages sitting for long hours, which further adds to health concerns.
There’s also a deeper connection at play between the brain and the digestive system. Digestion doesn’t start in the stomach but in the mind. Seeing and smelling food prepares the body by releasing saliva and digestive juices. When attention is pulled toward a screen, these natural signals slow down, making digestion less effective.
Over time, this disruption can affect how well the body absorbs nutrients and may lead to digestive issues. What feels like a harmless habit during meals could slowly impact overall well-being. Putting the phone aside, even for just a few minutes while eating, may help your body do what it’s meant to do—enjoy food and digest it properly.
