Where You Eat Can Affect Your Weight

If you're trying to lose weight, you know to pay attention to what you put on your plate. But are you also paying attention to where you go to eat your food? It's not always possible to sit down at the table for a meal, but eating on the go can result in overconsumption of calories. Even if you can't avoid eating in the following locations, be mindful when you do so that you don't fall into the habit of eating more.

Sitting in front of the TV. It's easy to lose focus on what you're eating when your attention is elsewhere. Distracting yourself with a TV show or movie while you eat keeps you from noticing when you're full. The constant commercials for snacks and greasy food can easily stimulate cravings and have you hunting in the kitchen for junk food.

If you do decide to watch some TV while you eat, measure out your portions carefully in the kitchen and don't return for seconds.

Sitting at your desk. You may have a lot of deadlines to meet or extra work to get done for the day, but try to pry yourself away for a quick 15-minute lunch break. Work acts as a distraction just as much as the TV does.

Stopping quickly to eat while sitting at your desk isn't much better, as fast eating doesn't allow your stomach time to signal to your brain that you're full. Taking the time to walk away and have a quiet lunch in a different area is not only good for your body, but also good for your mind by giving it a reprieve from constant concentration.

Standing in the kitchen. A quick snack in the kitchen can easily turn into multiple snacks, as you're surrounded by all kinds of tempting food. You're also more likely to eat right out of the package (why get a dish dirty?), which almost always leads to overeating. Instead of hanging out in the kitchen, measure out a serving and eat it at the table.

Driving in the car. Meals that you can eat while driving are limited, and they don't tend to be the healthiest. This is especially true of fast food. The temptation is also to eat quickly in order to devote more attention to driving. An inability to adequately focus on the food you're eating and the large portion sizes of fast food and " on the go" options are tough opponents for your weight loss battle.

If you can't avoid eating in the car altogether, pack healthy finger foods that are easy to eat and don't contain a lot of calories. Pieces of fruit, carrot and celery sticks, and cheese and crackers are good options to try.

Shawna is an avid writer about wellness and holistic health, including tips for living a healthier life style. Find similar topics from an Austin wellness center that offers fitness programs for longevity, weight loss and diabetes in Texas using mind/body exercise classes.

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