Stop Being Influenced by Food Ads on TV

Obesity is a very topical issue and is receiving more than its fair share of media coverage from a variety of sources, and it seems that just about anyone and everyone is a leading expert on the issue.

Adult eating Whilst there has been a great deal of pressure placed on the food industry to try and reduce the harmful additives and extremely high levels of salt and sugar in most pre-packaged food they are trying to rationalise this and are using the consumer as a scapegoat.

The food corporations argue that it is not their fault if people eat too much of their products, because the consumer should be able to exercise control. Whilst this is ostensibly a fair argument, when you assess the situation a little more deeply you will then begin to realise that the food industry is burning the candle at both ends, whilst they complain about people not exercising self-control, they encourage this!

With massive annual budgets solely dedicated to the successful and strategic marketing and promotion of their products, it is little wonder that people are tempted to eat too much, given that we seem to live in a society and culture which glorifies excess.

The way in which the food industry cynically exploits consumers is nothing short of appalling, with certain foods specifically aimed at younger children being among the worst offenders in terms of manipulation.

How many sugar-laden cereals do you know that also happen to be advertised by some over the top cartoon character? This is intended to appeal to the children, and with bright colours and jingly tunes, more and more parents are finding that the “pester power” effect is all too real.

With the advent of mass media this has meant that companies are able to advertise and broadcast their products and services to a much wider audience than ever before and whilst this is fantastic for the big corporations, for the average person trying to diet and lose weight this can be a major pain in the neck.

It happens to us all, we are sitting down calmly watching the TV when all of a sudden we are assaulted by a dizzying whir of lights flashes and sounds as yet another tantalising piece of food is displayed before our very eyes. The hunger instinct kicks in, with the stomach gurgling away merrily and the mouth watering up, and so whereas we were previously quite content to watch the TV we soon become hungry and eager for a snack. Cynical exploitation at its worst, but hey that is exactly what the TV and food companies want.

Count the Food Ads

Next time you settle down to watch the TV make sure that you take a note every time you see an advert on the TV that makes you want to go eat something, as well as noting the adverts which are especially effective at encouraging you to go eat. Once you have noted these ads, you can then start trying to analyse what it is about these adverts that prompts you to eat.

Notice whether it is the people in the ad, the message itself, the words they use, even the background music or scenery? See if you can pin-point what, exactly, it is about the ad that draws you in. Notice what you don't like about ads that simply do not interest you.

Evenings are an especially rough time for dieters because of the over abundance of advertising for food. Seeing delicious things to eat can create the sensation of hunger until it becomes a patterned response. Turning on the TV then begins to make you hungry, even without the food cues.

Ways to Combat Evening Snacking Habit

Mute the commercials or switch to another channel (channel surfers already do this anyway). Not watching or hearing the ad can help enormously. Remember, out of sight, out of mind.

Kids eating Use commercial break time to do housework. You'd be amazed at how much clutter you can clear in three or four minutes, and every hour you get at least four of these breaks.

Make sure that you get up from the seat and walk outside and take in some fresh air, because as soon as you get comfortable this is when you will begin to start longing for another snack.

Being creatures of habit we often associate one habit with another, with one habit turning into a “trigger” for the other habit. For example, after munching away on a pack of potato chips you may then decide to reach for another can of beer or soda.

Do you tend to have snacks at the ready when you settle down to watch a film or TV? This is another prime example of one bad habit leading onto another.

Try swapping your seating location around and see how much of an impact that has to your snacking habits. Also try fetching a glass of water, more often than not our hunger pangs is our brain telling us to drink more water.

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