Why You Watch Food Videos While Fasting: Understanding Distractions and How to Refocus

So, this blog is a bit more lighthearted than most, but I think that’s okay—it brings a nice balance! Whenever I go on a water or dry fast, I always get this strange urge to watch food videos. And I call it strange because if I’m not eating, what’s the point? What kick does my brain get from just watching food or seeing other people eat? Honestly, it feels like vicarious eating—that’s the only way I can describe it. I’ll just scroll through YouTube or Instagram, watching food videos for hours, usually after I get home from work. Sometimes I even sit down and plan out a whole month’s worth of meals!

I’m sharing this so that, first of all, you don’t feel weird if you catch yourself watching random food vids during a fast—seems like it’s pretty normal. But secondly, I want you to recognize that this can also be a sneaky way for the enemy to distract you and waste your time. Even though you’re not eating the food, obsessing over it isn’t helping your fast either.

If you catch yourself in this cycle like I have, use it as a reality check. Put your device down and pick up your Bible instead. Read a passage, watch a sermon, do your devotion, pray—whatever you’ve committed to doing during the fast to draw closer to God.

It might seem innocent, but these little distractions can undo a lot of the spiritual work you set out to accomplish. The purpose of fasting is to grow closer to God, and the enemy can use small things like this to pull you away from that.

So, if you notice you’ve been scrolling for more than 30 minutes on something unrelated to God—outside of regular work or household stuff—it’s time to reset and refocus on Him and His Word.

I hope this little tidbit helped in some way. I know I can’t be the only one who does this, so I just wanted to share to let you know you’re not alone—and to remind us all to self-correct.

Shalom

Lyn