How to Get More Nutritional Value out of Video Games

In today’s interactive society, video games rule the airways. However, in recent years the genre of “active games” has grown exponentially, and companies like EA Sports and Nintendo have spent billions to capture the growing market for “fitness” TV. However, many parents still question whether these games help kids stay fit and keep a nutritious diet. A report from researchers at the University of Hong Kong found that “active” video games help kids to burn four times as many calories as traditional “sit-down” games. Livestrong.com reports that the average amount of calories burned during sit-down games is 81.5 per hour played, while active game users burn on average 248 calories per hour.

Studies have also shown that “active” video games users can gain more nutritional value because it is harder to eat when physically interacting with the game. As reported by Reuters, kids are more likely to suffer from obesity when sitting down and using a controller because foods with high amounts of carbohydrates like chocolate chips, nuts, and sodas are within easy reach. “What we’re finding more and more is that TV is uniquely awful for you,” says Dr. Scott Leatherdale from the University of Waterloo. And so, he recommends replacing a portion of your TV time with physical activity to maintain long-term health.

Also replacing your consumption habits with health snack options like grapes, nuts, hummus, carrots, and tuna while playing video games not only lowers users’ risk of obesity, but also keeps their consoles and couches clean of harmful bacteria that could have detrimental health effects. Even Campbell Foods recognizes carrots as the next great “junk food” item. So, the next time you’re on the couch contemplating which Xbox or PlayStation adventure to take, pick the game that gets you burning calories while storming castles and taking down bad-guys then you will get nutritional value from a video game!