Pass the Tissues, Not the Popcorn

Dramas and depressing films are likely to make you eat more of your movie theater snacks than films like comedies, according to a new report by Cornell University’s Food and Brand Lab.

The study found that moviegoers watching films that pulled on heartstrings ate at least 50 percent more popcorn than those watching lighter fare. As for what may be behind this increased consumption, Willo Wisotsky, PhD, psychologist at the Center for Weight Management at Syosset Hospital, thinks it might have to do with “emotional eating” and a failure of people to be mindful of what they put into their bodies.

“Typically during a movie, our head is up and our hands are down in whatever we’re eating,” she said. “Our culture as a whole tends to mindlessly eat. We are encouraged to have a correlation between emotion, or lack thereof, and consuming food.

While the phrase “emotional eating” conjures up images of enjoying a pint of ice cream after a breakup, the behavior is more than just eating while sad. From celebrating birthdays with a cake to the lollipop after a visit to the doctor’s and even getting popcorn at the movies, we learn to associate how we’re feeling and events with what we’re eating.

When it comes to the movies, the findings may be a result of sadder films having an easier time drawing out emotions. But the problem of unhealthy eating at the movies starts way before the screen, though, at the snack line.

“How often do you see people get up during a movie at the theater,” Dr. Wisotsky asked.“Unfortunately, people are in a vulnerable position regardless of [what genre] movie because it’s pre-calculated what people are bringing in.”

Dr. Wisotsky recommends that people remain mindful of their eating habits if they want to try to break these emotional eating associations. For example, eating before you head to the theaters and reminding yourself that you’re full are great ways to avoid temptation.