You're Eating, But Are You Digesting? The Surprising Truth About TV, Talk, and Texting at the Table.

Have you ever finished a meal while watching TV, only to look down at your empty plate and barely remember what you ate? I’ve been there. For a long time, I believed that as long as the food was healthy, it didn’t matter what I was doing while I ate. But I’ve come to realize something profound: how we eat is just as important as what we eat.

In my view, the single greatest enemy to good digestion isn’t fat or carbs—it’s distraction. I believe our bodies are designed for focused work, and when we split our attention during meals, our health pays the price.

The Television Trap

It’s a common scene in so many homes: the family gathered around the dinner table, with all eyes glued to the television. You might think, “So what? My eyes are watching the screen, but my stomach is handling the food.” But I don’t think our bodies work that way.

Here’s how I see it: when your eyes see something, your mind processes it and your body reacts. If you’re watching a tense drama, a violent news report, or even just a silly movie, your mind becomes emotionally invested. This triggers the glands related to those emotions—fear, anger, sadness, or excitement.

Think about it. If you’re watching a sad movie and start to tear up, your tear glands are working. But I believe our body has a sort of “one-track mind” when it comes to secretions. When your emotional glands are active, the digestive glands seem to take a backseat. The essential signals to break down your food are never sent. That meal you just ate? It sits in your stomach, undigested.

Beyond the Screen: Books, Banter, and Business

This isn't just about screens. Any activity that pulls your focus away from your food can have the same effect.

I used to be someone who would read a book while eating. Have you ever been so lost in a good story that you look down and wonder, “Wait, where did all the food go?” You were so absorbed that you have no memory of tasting the food, chewing properly, or even closing your lips. I’m convinced that people who consistently do this are setting themselves up for health issues.

And then there's talking. What happens when we talk and eat? First, from my perspective, air is the enemy of digestion in the mouth. To properly break down food with saliva, you need a closed environment. When we open our mouths to speak, air gets mixed in and spoils that crucial first step.

More importantly, what do we usually talk about during meals? Family problems, business stress, financial worries. These conversations trigger emotions like anger, tension, and fear. My belief is that this causes immediate chemical changes in the body that slam the brakes on digestion. Even talking about good things requires opening your mouth. My firm advice is to simply not talk while you eat. If a guest comes over, chat with them first, and then enjoy your meal in peace. Don't force them to talk while munching on snacks; you're just spoiling their health and your own.

The Ultimate Distraction: Your Smartphone

Of all the modern distractions, I think the cell phone is the most damaging. When you're on a call or scrolling through a feed, your entire focus—your mind, your thoughts, your attention—is on that device.

During this time, I believe no gland related to digestion will secrete properly in your body. The food you’re mindlessly eating might as well be cardboard. Your body isn't truly processing it; it's just going through the motions. In my opinion, that undigested food can become waste, or worse, poison in your system.

My advice is simple but non-negotiable: when you sit down to eat, switch your phone to silent. Better yet, put it in another room. Give yourself the gift of a disconnected meal. By doing this, the food you eat can be digested well and become a medicine for your body, not another source of stress.

My Golden Rule: Your Full Attention on Your Food

It all boils down to one simple principle I now live by: When I eat, my mind, my thoughts, and my attention are focused solely on my food.

I see that my focus isn't diverted. I avoid watching TV, reading books, talking to others, or thinking about business. When your full attention is on your plate, all the right glands get the message to start working. The food is broken down properly, converted into good, clean ingredients, and mixed with your blood.

In this state of mindful eating, your food truly becomes your medicine.

So, I challenge you: for your next meal, put every single distraction away. Just eat. Pay attention to the textures, the flavors, and the simple act of nourishing your body. Notice how you feel afterward. It might just be the start of a life-changing habit for your health and well-being.