The Effects of Eating Alone in Daily Life – Prevention
Are there any of you who often eat alone? Do you enjoy eating alone? If so, you should change that habit immediately to get a longer life. Wow…, doesn’t it look scary? Eating alone is related to the life expectancy of a person. It’s true that sometimes we feel more comfortable to eat alone. We just feel calm, can concentrate more, or simply do not like the crowd at meal time. However, some studies do not recommend you to eat alone. There are unexpected effects of eating alone. Here is the explanation.
1. Metabolic Syndrome
What is a metabolic syndrome? Metabolic syndrome is a term for the abnormal metabolic processes that occur in the body and has the potential to threaten a person’s life. Metabolic syndrome is a potential cause of heart disease, diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure, and death. Studies show people who are used to eating alone are nearly three times more likely to experience metabolic syndrome than those who eat with others.
But it should be noted as well that gender also has an influence on the metabolic syndrome. Based on the research, the risk of men experiencing the syndrome is 45% while women is 29%. Men who often eat alone may not be able to control the food intake. In addition to not considering nutritional factors, the quantity of food is also varied. Some studies show that a man who often eats alone and no friends will spend his mealtime with smoking or drinking alcohol. Therefore they are more susceptible to metabolic syndrome. In contrast to men, women are more able to control the emotions and the food intake.
Metabolic syndrome is more likely to occur in people aged 19 years and over. Because it is a time of self-search, they sometimes choose to be alone and feel comfortable with the solitude. In addition, at this age they start to look busy with their own business. So sometimes they do not have much time to eat with friends or family.
Prevention
Someone is said to have metabolic syndrome if he/she meets 3 out of 5 criteria according to USA National Cholesterol Education Program :
- Central Obesity : Men > 102 cm ; Women > 88 cm
- Triglyceride : More than or equal to 150 mg/dl
- Cholesterol HDL : Pria < 40 mg/dl ; Wanita < 50 mg/dl
- Blood Pressure : More than or equal to 130 mmHg / More than or equal to 85 mmHg
- Fasting Blood Glucose : > 110 mg/dl
For the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome, it is necessary to do :
- Physical examination to determine central obesity and blood pressure
- Laboratory tests to determine the level of fat in the blood and blood glucose levels
Obesity is a disorder caused by excessive accumulation of body fat tissue. The easiest way to find out is by measuring the Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI describes the excess fat tissue throughout the body that can be calculated by dividing body weight (kg) by square height (m2).
The waist circumference is measured horizontally from the midpoint between the lower rib cage and the apex of the pelvic bone. The subject must stand upright and the distance of the legs is 25-30 cm.
If the diagnosis indicates you have metabolic syndrome, consult your doctor immediately. Usually doctors will recommend regular exercise and a healthier diet. One important tip, try not to rush while eating. When the stomach is full, the brain sends a signal to stop eating. But eating too fast does not give the brain enough time to transmit the signal, resulting in overeating.
By the way, if you think you are too skinny and desire to look more cute, you can try some foods that will guarantee chubby cheeks in a month. But as always, do not eat too much. Too much of something is bad enough.
2. Triggering Unhealthy Diet
A number of studies have found that those who eat alone may be lonely, socially isolated and more likely to choose unhealthy and instant foods. They will also avoid and eat less fruits and vegetables. This increases the risk of dangerous diseases.
In addition, the financial situation contributes to an unhealthy diet. As we know fruits and vegetables are often more expensive than instant foods. Tiredness due to work and time constraints also make people reluctant to cook their own food and prefer to buy unhealthy fast food.
Prevention
There is no other way. Add vegetables and fruits to your daily diet. There are many choices of vegetables and fruits that you can customize to your taste. In order not to get bored, make variations such as carrots in meatballs, broccoli in pasta, eggplant in lasagna, etc. The simplest is to make delicious omelets using asparagus, spinach, mushrooms and broccoli as fillers. Or, you buy vegetables and fruits that you have never tasted before. You do not need to buy 1 kilogram, just enough to taste at home.
3. Stress
Another effect of eating alone is the possibility of psychological distress. People who eat alone tend to feel lonely, alienated from the society. Imagine if someone eats alone at a food stall or restaurant, then he/she looks around and realizes that almost everyone is eating with friends. Surely there will be feelings of ostracized because there is no one beside him/her. When eating with friends, there will be a chat or a laugh. This will reduce the risk of stress, increase appetite, and promote positive thinking.
Prevention
Treat someone. Surely you won’t eat alone. Or join a lunch with friends, at least once a week. Stress will certainly affect a lot of things in your life. For example, maybe you have trouble sleeping. If that happens, you should try several ways on how to get good sleep when stressed.
All right guys, those are the effects of eating alone that you need to know. Although eating alone looks trivial, it turns out to have a harmful effect on health. Therefore it is advisable not to eat alone too often. Take time to eat with family, friends, or colleagues. In addition, choosing a restaurant that allows chatting with fellow visitors can also be an option. Psychological conditions are very influential on health conditions. People with good psychological conditions will always show a healthy soul and body.
