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People of all ages agree that the reels they encounter on various social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat are highly addictive. Personal tastes may vary, but users often lose track of time when they start scrolling through these reels. Among content types, food reels attract a lot of attention and attract many viewers. Kevin Zingkhai, a content creator with 605,000 followers on Instagram, has become popular among influencers and YouTubers for his food-related videos, even if they are outside of his primary area of expertise. "I see a lot of creators now stepping into the food creation zone, even though it's not entirely their genre. Everyone wants to create something creative with these videos," he notes. Zingkhai explains that the key to audience engagement lies in their anticipation of a satisfying outcome, whether it's witnessing the crushing of objects or someone's exciting dive into the ocean. He continues, “Food videos are addictive because they show a step-by-step process leading to an end product that satisfies our innate desire to eat. It's a gold mine! There is no doubt that the allure of making delicious food and the addictive nature of mukbang and ASMR videos contribute to the widespread popularity of food-themed movies.
Watching others indulge in tempting treats may seem harmless, but recent research suggests it can actually lead to weight gain. Experts weigh in on the potential impact of these eye-catching food videos. According to Shivangi Rajput, a consultant psychologist based in Delhi, the reels can improve mood, relax and stimulate culinary creativity, but they can also significantly stimulate appetite, which can lead to overeating or unhealthy eating habits. Continuous exposure to images of tasty food activates the brain's reward system and creates feelings of pleasure. However, when people make unfavorable comparisons or cannot afford the products depicted, it can lead to feelings of inadequacy or guilt. Rajput also notes that these roles often stimulate the brain's reward centers in the same way that drugs do. Frequent viewing of such content can increase the desire for the displayed products, influence an individual's behavior and make them more likely to seek out and consume certain products.
Posts that focus on high-calorie or unhealthy foods can influence people's eating habits and negatively impact their health. These types of posts can cause viewers to crave or eat similar foods, leading to an unhealthy relationship with food. It is important to recognize that content shared on social media platforms can have a significant impact on people's perceptions and behavior regarding their food choices.
Psychologist Sumalatha Vasudeva from Gleneagles BGS Hospital in Bengaluru believes that viewing food advertisements or social media content can significantly impact your food perception and cravings. The influence is even stronger when you see your beloved celebrity relishing a particular unhealthy snack. Constant exposure to such content on social media can bias food choices, as people order food they see based on appearance rather than name. Vasudeva also notes that many people use their favorite foods as a temporary cure for stress or boredom, often leading to guilt or regret. Similarly, says Shivangi Rajput, frequent exposure to tempting images of food can increase appetite and hunger, which can lead to consuming more calories than necessary. In addition, food videos tend to portray generous or large portions as normal, subliminally encouraging the viewer to imitate such eating behavior.
Frequent access to engaging social media content can inadvertently lead to overeating and weight gain. The seductive nature of platforms like Reels can make it easy to forget about time and physical demands, leading to more screen time and less physical activity. As you scroll through different videos, your urge to explore further can override your body's natural hunger signals and cause you to consume more videos than you should. Experts believe that prolonged media consumption, often involving overeating and inadequate rest, can disrupt appetite regulation and promote unhealthy eating habits. However, its effectiveness may be affected by the specific content you encounter. If your feed consists mostly of fitness videos, you might be inspired to try new activities. Conversely, an abundance of food-related content can trigger cravings. Finding this balance can be difficult because it's difficult to resist the temptation of visually appealing cooking videos. To address potential issues when working on digital content integration, it is important to proceed cautiously and prioritize a healthy lifestyle.
Monitor your viewing habits carefully to avoid weight-related effects. Look for social media accounts that support healthy eating and informed nutritional choices.
Concentrate on preparing and savoring your meals, staying attuned to your body's hunger signals and appropriate portion sizes, instead of mirroring the content in those videos. Exercise regularly to offset the additional calorie intake. Practice self-compassion, avoid being too hard on yourself when you're hungry, and maintain a healthy relationship with food despite the influence of social media. It's important to be aware of how diet wraps affect your appetite and eating habits. If you find that social media is having a negative impact on your eating habits or mental health, take a break. Encourage digital fasting at least once a week; It boosts your confidence and helps you believe that you can achieve more without relying on social media. Avoid looking frequently at your phone. Turn off notifications when prompted for additional verification. Try to spend time with friends and family in person and avoid social media apps. Use screen time limits and reminders to monitor and alert you of excessive use. Remember to avoid the screen an hour before bed.
