Food and entertainment have always been a winning combination. There’s something undeniably comforting about settling in for a movie or TV show with a delicious snack or a perfectly paired meal. But the age-old question remains: do you choose to match your food to your TV viewing or film choice, or is it all just a matter of personal preference?
For some, the art of food and entertainment pairing is a meticulous process, akin to pairing fine wines with gourmet dishes. They carefully select their culinary creations to mirror the theme, setting, or mood of the film or show they’re about to enjoy. Whether it’s spicy Mexican fare for an action-packed thriller or a cozy bowl of mac ‘n’ cheese for a nostalgic sitcom, they believe that a thoughtfully chosen snack can elevate the viewing experience.
On the other hand, there are those who simply go with their gut – quite literally. They grab whatever is readily available, be it popcorn, chips, or a slice of pizza, and dive headfirst into their chosen entertainment, not worrying too much about the synergy between the two.
Photo by Phillip Goldsberry on Unsplash
STRUGGLING TO DECIDE WHICH TAKEAWAY TO ENJOY WITH YOUR FAVOURITE TV SHOW? FOOD SCIENTISTS HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM… COMEDIES SHOULD BE ENJOYED WITH SUSHI, WHILE ROMANCE PAIRS BEST WITH MEXICAN FOOD
Food scientists have delved into which TV show genres pair best with the nation’s favourite takeaways.
And the research found comedy works best with sushi, because laughing releases feel-good chemicals in the brain, which work alongside endorphin inducing amino acids, found in raw fish and rice.
Freeview, the UK’s biggest free TV service, enlisted leading nutritionist Rob Hobson to give his top TV and takeaway pairings.
He advised that those who enjoy a crime thriller should be ordering an Indian takeaway, due to the anti-inflammatory spices, which help your stomach deal with anxiety, as well as supporting healthy blood pressure so your ticker can cope with stressful scenes.
Food scientist and author Hobson said: “Watching TV is a multi-sensory experience in the same way as tucking into a good plate of food.
“Research has shown that certain nutrients can help to support your mood so I have linked your favourite takeaway with the type of TV you’re watching so you can really amplify the viewing experience.”
According to Hobson, complex sci-fi shows work well with Chinese dishes like sesame chicken, egg fried rice, and salt and pepper tofu, containing omega 3 for focus, choline for memory and concentration, and vitamin B for brain health.
And lovers of romance should be ordering a spicy Mexican feast, high in zinc (important for testosterone production), and endorphin-stimulating chillies, which are a great choice to get hearts fluttering.
The study commissioned by Freeview found four in ten Brits (43 percent) agree some foods go better with different kinds of TV shows than others, so much so that 39 percent based their food choices on what they are going to watch.
According to the 2,000 polled, we order an average of THREE takeaways a month, with Friday (37 percent) the most popular night to order in.
Chinese (48 percent) is the nation’s favourite takeaway, followed by pizza (43 percent), fish and chips (35 percent) and Indian (29 percent).
It takes a total of 15 minutes to decide what food to order, with four in ten (44 percent) admitting that they often argue with friends or family over what to have.
Owen Jenkinson, Marketing Director at Freeview which commissioned the study said, “We all know that a good takeaway is one of life’s little pleasures, with the nation ordering three takeouts on average a month – and as most of us watch TV as we tuck in, we wanted to understand the science behind how the food we eat can enhance the viewing experience.
From sushi amplifying the comedic effect of the funniest TV shows to Mexican dishes getting hearts racing during romantic scenes, the research shows that food really can be tailored to whatever you’re watching.
With over 60,000 hours of content available to watch for free on Freeview Play and an enormous variety of cuisines to choose from, our TV + Takeaway guide makes it easier to decide how best to spend cosy nights in.”
85 percent say they sit down and tuck into food in front of the telly, with over half (54 percent) admitting they do it every day.
One in four (25 percent) eat their dinner in front of the box more than once a week.
49 percent admit they get hungrier when they see a food scene in a film or TV show.
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