Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Eating at the table


When our kids still lived at home, we always ate meals together at the kitchen table.  I think Cliff and I retained this behavior even after they left the nest.  I don't know when we gradually slipped into the habit of eating in the living room while watching television.  I suspect it was probably after we signed up for cable or satellite TV.  Or maybe after it became possible to record TV programs and watch them at will.  
Our television isn't usually on during the day except for a few minutes of news in the morning and about an hour while we eat midday dinner, when we watch something recorded (Good Wife is our favorite; we watch it during the noon meal every Monday).    
One of the things suggested in every diet plan or weight-loss book I've ever come across is that people should only eat at the table.  For instance, here's a quote from a free Kindle book I'm reading, "Skinny Thinking Daily Thoughts".  "Make it a point today to really be present when you are eating.  Ironically, those of us who love food and see it as central to our happiness are not very aware when we're eating.  We find ourselves eating quickly, or while doing something else such as driving, talking on the phone, watching television, or reading, so the experience of eating isn't as satisfying as it could be."  
So I told Cliff I thought maybe we should try this and, although I'm pretty sure he thought I was crazy (what's the difference where we eat?), he agreed.  We sat at the table eating our barley pilaf, sweet potatoes, and green beans.  I don't think either of us felt it was making any difference in our feelings, and we would have been lots more comfortable in our easy chairs.  By the time it was coffee-and-dessert time (a tiny piece of un-iced cake and 1/2 cup of ice cream), after only a couple of bites we practically ran to the living room, where we could watch our recorded episodes of "Pawn Stars" while finishing our dinner.

FAIL!

8 comments:

  1. I don't think it makes much difference. I serve myself one plate and eat that plate regardless of whether the TV is on or not.

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  2. Ha! You crack me up! FAIL! We eat together as a family at the table as many nights as we can without the TV on! DH finds some "mood" music on the Directv box and we try and enjoy each other's company. I am not sure it helps with keeping the weight off but it sure makes for good family times!

    Inga

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  3. Try again. It does matter, really it does. I try not to eat at the computer becuase that is when I mindlessly nibble.

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  4. Ken and I never eat at the table. Maybe that is why I have gained so much weight. Seriously I think I would eat all I wanted regardless where we eat. My snacking is probably the culprit.

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  5. LOL Hilarious!! At least you tried!! We eat in front of the TV also!

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  6. It's portions not TV that makes a difference. :)

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  7. I have a TV in the kitchen and often watch the news while I'm eating dinner and I'm usually reading a book at the same time. I guess you could say I'm multi tasking. I've done this for years. Maybe that is why I am overweight, but I've maintained this same weight for years too.

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  8. I grew up eating as a family at the table and we did that with our kids when they were home. Now that its just me, I eat where ever, at the table if I am reading, at the computer if I am on there doing something, in my rocking chair if I am watching something. I think that I sat at the table many years so now I can enjoy my plate of food anyplace I want to, ha! But when the kids and their families are here we ALWAYS set the table and even have to have a tablecloth, per my 6 year old granddaughter, LOL and we enjoy our time together then. Eat where you want, thats my philosphy! Wendy

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