I probably eat around 90% of my meals by the computer. Case in point:
Errr. Yikes…
And the meals, like last night’s stir fry dinner for example, that look like they’re not being eaten by the computer? Totally staged. Guess where that bowl ended up after the photoshoot. Mmm hmm. I can’t even remember the last time I sat down at a table to enjoy a meal. Easter dinner with my family, maybe?
In any case, if I’m not eating at my desk staring at my iMac, I’m lounging around somewhere with my MacBook (yes, I like my Macs) in my lap and a spoon in my hand. That, or flipping through a book/magazine. This, according to a lot of people, is a big no no.
Why?
Well, it’s recommended that when you eat, you should do so without any other distractions; just you, your food, and whatever utensils you need to eat it. Mindful eating they call it. The idea is that without anything to distract you, you can pay more attention to your body’s response to the meal in front of you and be better able to judge when you’ve had enough. Or, that it simply allows you to savor and enjoy your food more. In any case, the logic behind the matter is that less distraction = more satisfaction.
Mmm… satisfaction…
Sounds good in theory, right? But in practice? Ehh. Not so much; at least, not for me.
I’ve tried the whole ‘mindful eating’ thing – I don’t like it. Not only do I get bored trying to be more intimate with my food (mmm almond butter… you so fine… raaawwwr), but it actually makes me enjoy my meal less because I just want to hurry up and get it over with so I can go do something else.
. – . – . – .
Tangent time! I was a really picky eater when I was a little kid, and I ate really, really slow. I remember this one occasion where my mom gave me a sandwich that I didn’t want to eat, and she told me that I couldn’t get up from the table until I finished it. I must have sat there for at least an hour staring at that damn sandwich and taking the occasional nibble. Eventually, I got so bored that I picked up the phone and dialled 911 – not because I had an emergency, but because I was always curious what all the 911 fuss was about and wanted to find out. Long story short, they picked up, I freaked out and hung up, and they called back. Mom was not pleased, but she never made me sit at the table to finish a meal again. Win.
That had nothing to do with anything… Sorry…
No need to choke down these babies. Hummus? Cream cheese and jam? Dee-licious…
. – . – . – .
Maybe I’m in the minority on this one, but I prefer to have something to keep me occupied while I eat. The computer. A good book. Someone to talk to. It used to be to help me keep my mind off of the anxiety that I associated with eating, but now it’s just to keep my mind occupied in general. Eating… well… it’s not really that interesting. I mean, sure, the first few bites are amazing and all, but after that? The amazingness factor starts to fade and everything becomes a bit mechanical. That’s not to say that I mindlessly plow through my meals; I’m just a slow eater that needs some entertainment while she eats.
Unless it’s just a grab and go quickie 😉
I think what I’m trying to get at here, is that this is an example of one those cases where what’s “recommended” isn’t necessarily what works. You know what I’m talking about. Some claim is made to “do this” or “not to do that” because “look what it did for me!” – and then everyone hops on the wagon and starts doing the same thing in hopes of achieving the same results?
Doesn’t work that way.
It would be nice if there was a “one size fits all” approach to eating, but there’s not. What works for one person, won’t necessarily work for another. What works for me, might not work for you. You know that whole “a high protein meal will keep you fuller longer” mumbo jumbo? Yeah, I tried that one too – doesn’t work. I can pack my meals with as much protein as I can get my hands on and still end up hungry an hour later – yet some people swear it’s what keeps their hunger at bay. Me? I’m more of a carbs and fats girl. Oh, and drinking a cup of hot water with lemon first thing in the morning? Pffft. Gives me acid reflux for the rest of the day. Coffee, on the other hand? Suits me just fine.
There’s nothing wrong with trying out what someone else says works for them – we may very well find that it works for us as well. But there is something wrong with continuing to do it even if it doesn’t work, just because it works for another person. I’m not a mindful eater. I’m not part of the high protein club. I can’t survive on a measly 1500 calories a day. I eat right before I go to bed. Others are/aren’t, can/can’t, do/don’t do… and that’s fine. They can keep doing what they’re doing, and I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing because I’m me and I need what I need, not what ____ needs.
I guess what I’m trying to say here is don’t try to force something that isn’t working for you just because it’s “supposed” to – ditch it and keep experimenting until you find what makes you feel the best, even if it’s not necessarily what’s “recommended” by others.
. – . – . – .
What works for YOU? Carbs? Fats? Proteins? Big meals? Smaller meals? Eating by the table? The TV? Still trying to figure everything out? 🙂 There are so many different approaches, and I’d love to hear about some of your must-do’s when it comes to eating.
What DOESN’T work? Ever try something that was supposed to be the be-all-end-all and just… didn’t work?
3 Reasons why we were meant to be BFFs
1) LOVE MACS<3
2) I've tried the mindful eating. BORING. like you said all I can think about is what I can do next
3) Carbs and fats both definitely work for me! and breakfast is ALWAYS a must. I can't go more than 30 minutes within waking of not having something to eat.
I need to eat carbs, fat, and protein together in order to actually feel full- oh and I ALWAYS have to eat before going to bed no matter what or else I wake up starving in the middle of the night.
-Also breakfast and coffee needs to happen within 20 minutes of waking up or I won’t be functional
Love the message of this post, Amanda 🙂
It’s so important to realize that a human life can’t be reduced to standards, we are all individuals.
I prefer high carb and fat, that’s what makes my body satisfied. Ever since I was a little girl I’ve needed frequent fuel, several snacks has allways been a part of my day. That is, untill anorexia found this entirely inappropriate behaviour. Good thing those days are over, I need my snacks! 4 meals, 3 snacks is very, very fine for my precious soul and body.
My faithful companion is the newspaper, I love to eat while reading the news.
Thank you for reminding us about the human diversity, and that there is NO shame in not following the “rules”. You are a star Amanda, and I’m so grateful for your support.
<3
Oh, and I’ve tried something that doesn’t work. *nasty look towards ED*
Too little food = too little life.
Amen to that.
At school, I ate breakfast everyday by my laptop so the keyboard got super grimy and gross!! There are crumbs lodged in between the letters. I usually eat lunch and dinner with others, so for these meals I have a sit down meal.
Girl, I always eat at the computer, or with a magazine or with a good tv show 🙂
I can’t stand to just sit down and eat while staring at the walls. It’s a total bore! Actually these days, about the only time I get on the internet is to eat a meal! Haha! I remember when my stepbrother lived with us though. He would actually STAND in the kitchen and eat. Just STAND. I don’t know how he found that interesting but…….yeah.
Loved this post, too funny 🙂
I guess I am more of a 3 big meals and 2 small snack kinda person. It changes from time to time though. One thing I will say, I cannot do hot oatmeal in the morning very frequently. I really wish I could. I love savory breakfasts with eggs, beans, and greens or bagels with cream cheese and tomato. I like variety in my diet. Hate boring food.
I’ve been thinking about this recently & thought the same thing. Considering my general relationship with food, I kinda feel like it’s unhealthy to put too much emphasis on the meal in front of you. Any time I’m on my own & eat a meal in silence, it just sets up a potential association between meal-times & negative feelings (like loneliness, boredom- general unhappy associations with silence & empty rooms).
I much prefer sitting in front of my laptop, being outdoors, chatting away to a friend or my family between bites. The kind of things that reinforce the message “enjoying food is part of enjoying life”- whether it’s enjoyment from watching something funny/ stupid, the witty musings of a food blogger (ahem, you! 🙂 ), or engaging in conversation with loved ones.
Basically, that was my long-winded way of saying that trying to “engage” with food in a silent, “intimate” manner is PLAIN BORING!
One thing that works for others that I just cannot do is the whole ‘3 large meals & no snacks’ thing. I love food far too much to not fit in 3 cheeky snacks around those meals! 🙂 x
LOVE this post girly 🙂 I eat everything in front of my Mac! I’m eating my lunch right now haha! The only exception I make is when I go to a restaurant with my family and it’s nice to talk with them and catch up on things over a nice meal and drinks. The only trouble I’ve found with eating at my Mac, is that it tends to get covered in crumbs…particularly cereal 😛 I had to buy a cleaner for it hehe!! I honestly don’t know how they all get there!
I’m the same as you, I could have as much protein as possible all day and still reach for a big carby snack before I go to bed because I would still be hungry from the day. I hate all these ‘no carb’ diets. We NEED carbs for energy and we’re supposed to have most of our diets consisting of carbs for that very reason. I also actually prefer my snacks to my meals because I tend to make them sweet and I have a MAJOR sweet tooth! I live for snacking 🙂
I’m pretty consistent that I ALWAYS have breakfast and dinner in the kitchen, my lunch outside at the table (weather permitting) and snacks inbetween-elsewhere. Sometimes in my room, sometimes in my car, sometimes in other rooms, sometimes at a friends etc….but I am pretty consistent with that. Unless I go out to eat haha ,then thats a different story! One thing that does NOT work for me is TV dinners, only because I have 2 giannnttt German Shepherds…. they scarfed down my entire snack…no fun!
-Kimi
An asskicking post! I consume 90% of my meals in front of the computer too – eating without it is…dull. Meals should be fun! And it’s nice to unwind my mind watching something mindless 🙂
I’m a big-meal, protein girl through and through. Small measly meals – regardless of cals – will NOT keep me satisfied! Oh, and I also eat right before bed. I’m not dead yet, so it can’t be that bad…
Im exactly the same… i LIKE to have something to do while i eat. if im just sat there staring at my food, i tend to enjoy it less cos i feel like i have to be eating really carefully or not biting my fork or making chomping noises!!!
I dont care to believe it when they say you dont realise what you are eating if you are distracted. i think i savour each bite more and i dont rush as much!
Each to their own eh!?
x
hah i ALWAYS eat while doing 1000 other things! but i cant do anything without multitasking so that makes sense~! i like 3 meals and 2 -3 snacks ! and i loveeee fat !!
I love this post and I totally agree! I see a lot of people trying to ”copy” others’ habits instead of trying to find what works for them. I just eat the way it suits me – sometimes that’s more smaller meals, sometimes it’s fewer bigger meals … heck, sometimes it’s more bigger meals, haha. 😉 I prefer to eat by the table, but only with family. If I eat alone, I usually do it in front of my computer.
I’m a 6 meals a day kinda girl. If I try eating 3 big ones I end up overstuffed and bloated. I’m also a protein/fats girl – although I eat my fair share of carbs as well, just because I like’m. And I eat most of my meal/snacks in front of my computer as well, although I never forget to enjoy it! So I like to think I’m still mindfully eating.
I also can’t eat RIGHT before bed. But I’ve learned to overcome my fear of night snacking and I definitely have no problem with eating in the evening now though 😉
oh my goodness, i am in LOVE with this post. i love the title first off – i’m a huge believer in “do what works for you” – funny thing is that even in doing what works for me, i think we are VERY similar. i do like eating with a magazine in front of me or my computer – it can actually help slow me down because i tend to WOLF things down, especially when i’m alone. i also can never get full off of a high-protein meal. def a carbs and fats girl. i think i need VERY little protein, or at least i dont really need to make sure i get any. and i also often eat right before i go to bed… like at midnight. if i dont i cant fall asleep. i also find it keeps my metabolism going!
Awesome post (again) 🙂 I always eat at my computer, reading stuff or writing, reading books, or talking to my roommates…to me meals are fine, tasty, great, but I need some kind of mind-occupation, so I understand how you feel about it 🙂
It is really hard to learn what works for you, what is the best approach designed right for you. I just try to have my carbs, fats and protein included in almost every meal, because it makes me feel satisfied and full of energy. I have 3 regular meals plus 2-3 snacks. I think it works for me, but there is always a room for improvement:)
I personally have zero food rules now. I don’t label any food as good or bad.
You’d think I’d have a ton being vegan and also being allergic to sugar cane but I really don’t crave foods that are non vegan or full of sugar cane!
I eat in front of the computer for almost every meal because breakfasts and blogging is the best way to start my day! I don’t care if it’s not “recommended” I don’t trust the people who recommended that crap anyway 😛
I do try to eat dinner at the table though because in my house we usually eat as a family!
I love this post, mostly becuase i was just talking with my nutritionist about it today. She was explaining to me there actually is no “right” way to eat. I love eating in front of a tv, Computer, or a good crossword otherwise i get bored:) I also cant do that low carb thing, have to eat right before bed, and i hate a big breakfast. Good to know im not the only one who doesnt eat “perfectly”
i always eat in front of my computer. sometimes it takes me forever to eat.. and i don’t want to rush through a meal to start on the next thing on my to-do list when i can do it all at once! 🙂
totally agree with you on this entire post.
havent found my own thang yet, but its fun trying.
I am writing this as I sit at my computer. Sigh…such a bad habit and yet one I cannot break! I need another 5 hours in the day to make it happen.
I’m kind of with Paoang though, if I didn’t sit in front of the computer I’d be in front of a book. I can’t simply do…nothing. It just isn’t in me!
Hahaha that 911 story is so funny! I can imagine XD
And I’m totally with you on the mindful eating thing…except I can’t EAT without reading a magazine, book, or newspaper…I have been known to actually get up in the middle of my meal to go look for something o.O So weird!
My me-time is waking up early and bringing my overnight oats upstairs to munch on while I watch the latest new episode of my favorite show in bed with my laptop.
I’m trying to listen to my body and feed it when it’s hungry, but I’m like you. I feel weird sitting there eating all alone without something else going on. I think as long as your meal / snack / etc. is portioned out on a plate, there’s no worries. At least for me, anyways. My problem with multitasking while eating is the danger of eating way more than I originally intended!
I need all macronutrients in my meal. I’ve experimented – and i don’t want to do it again. For instance, a high or low carb meal both gives me diabetic reactions like hypoglycemia after one hour. I also eat by the computer too! I’m actually glad I’m not the only one who does that 🙂
Thanks for the post; your post reassured me that it’s okay to be unique and different.
I am like you when it comes to eating breakfast at my computer. I had to eat breakfast without my computer once and it was so. BORING. I like having a distraction while I’m eating. Lunch I tend to watch tv or do puzzles in the newspaper and dinner is always with my family so I’m distracted by our conversations. I get so bored eating alone with nothing to do 😛
I don’t actually know what works for me…I tend to just go with what I’m craving although usually I’m about the big meals otherwise I feel unsatisfied at the end.
I went low-fat for a VERY long time and now that I’ve welcomed fat back into my life with open arms I can see how terrible it was. My skin was awful and food just never tasted as good as it does now. NEVER again 😀
xxx
I feel like I could have written this 😉 I eat dinner and sometimes lunch at the table..but breakfast and snacks are always by the computer, if I’m home! Or with the paper…something. It slows me down. Otherwise I wolf stuff down, so in a sense, I feel like I’m more mindful with the computer screen or something in front of me and I enjoy it more.
Of course, I also eat a big snack before bed. Shows how well I listen to rules 😉
I have always been the slowest one on the table. At the moment I can probably finish a meal in 20 minutes but there was a period when I needed at least an hour and sometimes even 2 hours weren’t enough. “Mindful eating” would be way too boring and I would probably just give up somewhere along the way. For this reason eating in front of the TV, the computer or even the radio is a daily routine for me. And I need my carbs more than anything else, too 🙂 .
Hey even though you eat by the computer, your pictures never cease to be the most appetizing looking photos on earth! 😛
Higher protein and fats tend to work best for me, sometimes if I have too many carbs I tend to feel sluggish and dead. But when I have no carbs at a meal, I’m a ravenous animal all of the time. It’s kind of a freaky balance, but hey it’s fun to experiment, especially when it involves adding in more nut butters woohoo!! I really like eating at the table with my family, but the occasional TV tray night is awesome, too! 😀
Hope your weekend is wonderful!!
I do everything like you do (that we’re not supposed to be doing). My biggest thing is that I prefer to eat in front of my computer. I eat much slower & really do enjoy what I’m eating so much more. Sitting at a table, even with other people just makes me feel antsy & rushed. One thing I will give in to is the glass of cold water first thing in the morning (right next to my coffee :o) but because I really do crave it, not because I feel I’m ‘supposed’ to.
I can’t eat by myself either…like you, I get super bored and just want to plow through it! I actually eat slower and enjoy it more if I’m watching TV or looking at the computer at the same time! I have to end all of my meals with something sweet…a hand full of cereal, a cookie, a finger full of PB 😉 Usually I need something carby with my meal, too, or else I don’t stay full as long. Also, I totally dig cottage cheese and jam – looks pretty and tastes great! Sometimes I like to mix it with salad dressing.
Ahh I totally forgot to mention ending every meal on a sweet note. I have to do that too or else I won’t feel satisfied, no matter how much I eat!
I love your blog!
And cream cheese and jam is one of my favorites! Sweet and savory mashed between carbs? Perfection.
My fave macro nutrients are fats by far, then grains, then protein. Nuts, nut butter and cream cheese all day, please! 🙂
I had to do this diet project for my nutrition class this past semester and had to keep a journal of everything we ate and had to indicate whether we ate mindfully and I pretty much NEVER did so I made an effort to for about two days and it was just so boring. I like my meals to last and they last longer when I’m playing on my laptop while I eat. And I eat the same portion no matter whether I’m staring at the wall or browsing the internet so who cares? In other words, I’m totally with you on mindful eating!
You made me feel so much better just now. Thank you 🙂
I can identify with almost everything in this post. I have tired quite a few things, and haven’t tried even more. I AM still trying to figure it all out, but what I already know is that I eat a lot in the morning, not so much at lunch, then a “normal” dinner. It would freak me out a lot when I would practically eat two breakfasts every morning, until a couple days ago I said– let’s see what happens if I embrace it? Still working on it, but it feels better knowing that little quirk about me!
I have read everything about not eating with “distractions” too. I, like you, would initially read a book to do exactly that– distract me! But now, I do a combination of table eating, then I might move into an activity. I am a slow eater, too (even when I feel like I’m going at lighting shoveling speed, I’m slow apparently!). And other times I eat everything at the computer. I also eat standing up (another “no-no” “bad” thing to do ). Well, that is a bit misleading– I a so excited to eat the food that I eat it while I carry it to my room or the computer! I’m totally a big meals person, but I like eating several different things in row sometimes.
Of course, everything I wrote above can change in a blink of an eye! Sometimes my appetite is wonky and I eat small things throughout the day, others I three big, square meals (I don’t abide to the three meals and two snacks mantra– some days I really don’t eat many snacks, others I do). ACK! This is turning into a novel of a comment– basically I a, trying to not to tel myself what “the experts” recommend, or do “what I;m supposed to” in regards to eating. If something I do works, I repeat, unless I get an incline not to.
That ball on keyboard action cracked me up.
What works for me right now is eating a small meal every 1.5-2hrs. I can’t go any longer and be sane. I’m a definite snacker.
And I always was the same way with eating. I always had to have a book open, or flipping through something when I was growing up. These days I usually eat in front of my computer unless I’m with someone else or with family. I’m trying to steer the habit though, but you’re right — maybe it just works for me
Oh I am so with you on not listening to silly “food rules” – everyone is different! I eat all my meals by the computer/in front of the tv/with a book/etc. for the exact same reason as you! I find myself bored and rushing my food because I have something better/more productive to do.
I’ve learnt to just go with what works for me and not analyse it too much. In terms of carbs/fats/proteins – I have no idea! I know some foods fill me up to no end while others leave me gnawing my arm off in a few hours, but you can’t spend your life worrying “oh I can’t eat THAT because THIS will happen” – that’s when you lose all enjoyment out of eating and it becomes a chore.
I could never eat completely raw or vegan and I have no desire to eat fat free (I’m convinced fat free cheese is, infact, coloured rubber) – there’s foods I don’t eat and foods I love but I have no label for it – I just eat!
Just eat – now that’s something I could definitely recommend to everyone 😀
I am the exact same way as you! If I don’t have anything else to entertain me while eating, I will rush through it so that I can move on to more entertaining things. I’m actually leisurely enjoying a snack right now, as I write this! My favourite thing to do while eating is definitely on my computer, my keyboard is always really dirty…oops!
THANK YOU for this! I loved this post and it made me feel SO good. I’m definitely still figuring it all out. I feel like I’m always experimenting and trying out different things to see what works best for me. It’s hard! I don’t think there’s a “one size fits all” approach to ANYTHING. We’re all so unique with different needs. Thank you for this wonderful reminder.
What a wonderful post as always 🙂
It is really important to remember that everyone has different eating styles and of course there cannot be one way that works for everyone. Like you said, some people might enjoy eating at the table alone without distractions with a simple focus on their food, but this does not work for me either! I like eating while doing something else, such as chatting with others, watching TV, going on the computer or reading a book or magazine. I feel like I constantly have something else stimulating my attention when I am eating or like you, I rush through my meals because I feel like I am wasting time.
I try to add extra protein in whenever I can thinking it will improve my skin and satiety level, but errr not so much for either of those!
I also enjoy eating smaller meals throughout the day. I am constantly hungry and this works just fine for me 🙂
Haha, you and I eat in front of the same type of computer 😀
Eating all raw and vegan didn’t work for me in the end. Now I’m an omnivore and actually have to stay away from all raw vegetables.
Haha I love how the protein ball is just sitting on your keyboard! Too funny. I actually eat all my meals by my computer because I don’t have a choice… I have no other surface area in my teeny apartment! I usually make a point of turning the computer off to focus on my food, otherwise I would suddenly look down and be like wait a minute, did I just eat something? Haha I get wayy too distracted!
It sits there calmly because it has no idea what’s coming for it 😈
Omg I was totally that kid stuck at the dinner table for an hour, being forced to finish my dinner. I should’ve tried dialing 911.. instead I “faked” finishing my food, stuffing asparagus in my socks or whatever. You gotta do what you gotta do, ya know?
I don’t like sitting in chairs to begin with, I’d rather eat food on my couch and definitely by my computer. Works for me too.