If you want to get fat quick, eat while you watch television.  Researchers recently performed an experiment where they gave kids 1,000 calories of their favorite snack foods and either had them watch television while they ate or had them not watch television.  Invariably, the kids watching television ate more.  The researchers surmised that watching television "can dishabituate eating or disrupt the development of habituation".  That means that a "disconnect" develops in the normal feedback loop that tells you when to stop eating.  Worse yet, this disconnect may continue even after a child stops watching television and develop into a life-long eating style.

What can you do?  Don't eat or let your kids eat while you're watching the tube.  If you really need to nibble while you watch, bring only the portion that you desire to the couch!  Also, take the time to taste the food you eat--the mere act of being conscious of the foods you eat helps you to develop a healthy portion size.  If you feel you have "habituated" to larger portions try eating 2 tablespoons of organic coconut oil 20 minutes before your meal--this will create a sensation of satiety in your brain.  Then, when you do have your meal, eat very consciously.  By enjoying each bite you are creating a new habit--conscious eating!

Read the study here.