Most of us assume that using spoons, forks, and knives is a civilized way of eating. However, did you know that the history of eating with utensils doesn’t go back that far? For instance, the concept of using a spoon hails from circa 1000 B.C. Egypt, where it was used for ceremonial purposes. We, as human beings, tend to improvise over time and adopt the use of objects such as seashells or conveniently shaped stones as vessels for consumption. Nevertheless, the East, specifically South Asian countries, Africa, and the Middle East, continue to cherish the age-old method of eating with hands.
Now you might wonder, why stick to such an ancient practice? The reason is more than just cultural significance. It’s about tapping into the wisdom and science rooted in our ancestry. This blog will take you through the 11 key advantages and the health benefits of eating with your hands and how it greatly aids your digestive process!
Ayurveda’s Standpoint:
When we look through the lens of Ayurveda, food is not just a means to curb hunger. It’s posited as a sensory experience that arouses emotion and passion. According to the ancient Vedas, our fingers are an extension of the five elements of nature. Here, we have the thumb symbolizing space, the forefinger representing air, the middle finger representing an emblem of fire, the ring finger representing water, and the little finger representing the earth. Thus, eating with our fingers activates these elements, which, in turn, kindles the digestive juices in the stomach.
The Workout Element:
Did you know that eating with your hands is a form of exercise too? As a matter of fact, the act of manual feeding engages several muscles in your hands and that enhances the body’s blood circulation.
The Digestive Process:
Building on the Ayurvedic principle that our body is made of the five elements of nature, we have the aspect of fingers stimulating our digestive system. The fingertips having nerve endings, keenly sense the food’s texture, temperature, and consistency, which prepares and alerts our stomach for digestion.
Ethical Eating:
Eastern teachings lay a high value on mindfulness. It’s thought that being aware of every aspect of the eating process helps in building a conscious mindset toward food. The act of sensing food promotes awareness of the meal’s taste and gives a better wholesome experience.
Hygiene:
Following the proper etiquette of washing hands before and after meals can certainly ensure better hygiene levels than relying on stored utensils which could potentially house allergens and other germs.
Portion Control:
Apart from aiding digestion, eating with your hands ensures that you eat smaller portions. Moreover, it naturally slows down your pace of eating which benefits your digestion process.
Regulating Blood Sugar Levels:
Often, fast eaters tend to bring about an imbalance in their body’s blood sugar levels. Moving away from cutleries and leaning toward bearing eating can provide a solution to this problem.
Avoid Burning Our Tongues:
Since our fingertips are highly sensitive to heat, they help in judging the temperature of our food. Thus, you are less likely to burn your tongue while consuming your meals.
Experience Food Minus Foreign Tastes:
Utensils made of metal, wood, or plastic indirectly add tastes of such elements into our food. On the other hand, by using our clean hands, we can enjoy our meals in their pure and original taste.
Helps combat overeating:
Fast-paced modern lifestyles often lead to overeating. However, eating with hands may control this habit. Since hand-eating promotes slower consumption, it timely signals your mind about your stomach capacity, preventing overindulgence.
Embrace the Tradition:
Our traditions have often centred on food as a medium of human connection. Traditionally, meals include multiple elements that are best enjoyed when mixed together. This action offers a unique experience unavailable with spoon and fork
With these benefits in mind, embracing the practice of eating with your hands can be a choice leaning towards health and mindfulness.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How can I eat less food with my hands?
The portion controlling benefit of eating with hands contributes to less food consumption. This habit also helps in preventing overeating and unintentional weight gain.
Is it healthy to eat with your bare hands?
Consuming food using bare hands can lead to more nutrient absorption since the skin’s bacteria aids in digesting and absorbing various vitamins.
Is everything more delicious when you eat with your hands?
Indeed. The heightened sense of touch helps in distinguishing the different flavors enhancing the overall eating experience.
We hope this blog adds value to your knowledge about food and health. Now, eating with your hands might just be more beneficial than you thought! So, in your next meal, give the utensils a miss and relish your food the traditional way!”