Screen out the screens at mealtimes

Hands up if you have ever eaten a meal while watching a TV programme? Or maybe you have checked your smartphone or tablet between mouthfuls?

Screens can distract us from the food we are eating and the company we are keeping. So why not gently turn off the telly, put the phones, tablets, games and computers away and focus on a more face-to-face social interaction with the people who are sharing the meal with you? The devices will still be there when the food is eaten and you have caught up on their news.

If you are on your own while eating, it might be tempting to switch on the TV or read an article on a device. But if you do, you could miss out on tasting your food properly and you could overeat too. So try switching off the screens and concentrate instead on tasting and enjoying your food.