These days, we are all very busy people – and sometimes eating en route to work or at our desk is the only way to fit in food during the working day.

But new research from the University of Surrey suggests that eating on the go can thwart people who are watching their weight. 

The study involved three groups of women, with 60 participants in total. Experts tested the effects of various forms of 'distracted snacking', such as eating while walking, watching TV or having a conversation. 

It found that eating while distracted generally led to the women eating substantially more a short time later. 

Jane Ogden, Professor of Health Psychology at the University of Surrey said, "In the real world there are many other factors — such as [food] availability, mood and peer pressure — that influence what and how much we eat. But the results from this study indicate that for dieters, eating on the go may well lead to them overeating later on in the day.”

Women who eat while participating in something else may not be fully aware of what they're eating, or they may feel like they need more food later on because they were so active during the day. 

“We often overestimate how much we burn when we move, or believe that even walking for a mere five minutes potentially justifies the intake of food," says Professor Ogden.

In order to stop "distracted eating," she suggests scheduling break and snack times during the day, making every meal an occasion.

"It’s important to punctuate your day with breaks so that you can recharge and take stock as a means to relieve stress and work more effectively," Professor Ogden says.