So, I recently traveled with a colleague from work who used to live in China. He swears that people are slimmer there, in part, because they eat with chopsticks which slows their food intake down and makes them feel fuller.
So I have decided to eat my lunch salad with chopsticks from now on.
I'll let you know how it goes. It will be a useful skill to learn, whether it makes me feel fuller or not! It could get messy with the early attempts though.
I have many Asian friends and they can eat just as fast with chopsticks as anyone with a fork. Slowing down eating does help you realize when your hunger is sated more accurately and it's good to eat slowly and mindfully. I'm sure if you try the chopstick thing it will work for while until you eventually learn how to be very efficient and will need to find another way.
Although I would disagree that Asians are slimmer because they use chopsticks I would agree that learning to use chopsticks is a valuable skill and is also good as a brain exercise. Another good one is to use your left hand to do tasks you usually do with the right or vice versa. For example brushing your teeth or using a fork with the other hand. Putting the phone up to the other ear. Writing with your other hand. I also like to brush my teeth or washing dishes standing on one foot. My PT recommended those for better balance.
A good practice food is popcorn since its easy to grip and not messy if you drop it. I was a weird child that insisted on eating with chopsticks all the time.
There's an old joke about the "chopstick diet," which encourages you to eat everything with chopsticks. If you are Asian and/or are already or become adept at using chopsticks, then you only get one chopstick.
I can eat with chopsticks (I'm Vietnamese, of course I know how to use chopsticks!) and I have no problems eating quickly with chopsticks. It does not make me eat slower.
Chopsticks won't really make a difference. I'm not even sure I know how to hold them but I eat faster with them than with a fork. I pick up more food with them and I think it's easier to shovel it down.
I used to work for a large Japanese corporation. I think the reason why some Asians are thin has more to do with their diet, and genes, than using chop sticks. For example, you need to eat a lot of sushi to gain weight. If it wasn't sushi, it was a bowl of rice, prepared so it sticks together so it can be picked up with the chop sticks and a couple of ounces of protein. Never any bread, or cakes or cookies.
I'm not Asian but I am completely adept at speed eating with chopsticks, so no "diet" benefit there for me. I can clean up 12 pieces of sushi in minutes without so much as a dropped grain of rice haha!
Perhaps its because I grew up eating with chopsticks, but I can pick up MORE food with chopsticks, since you need to balance the food on two sticks, whereas with forks it needs to be able to be stabbed without crumbling - chopsticks can handle crumbly, soft foods without breaking apart with the right balance. I grew up eating ice cream for breakfast - with chopsticks. mmmmm
Add me to the list of folks who eat as fast or faster with chopsticks, by and large. I do find that if I'm trying to slow down I can do so with chopsticks more easily than a fork, but that is still achieved by conscientiously pulling it back.
Did someone say sushi? Oh boy. instant craving. I swear I can hear that word spoken from miles away and then it's all I'll think about for weeks!
Ian, maybe you should avoid perfection with chopsticks since apparently for some it can speed up eating. lol! However, I am now visualizing you eating canned fish with chopsticks straight out of the can.
Chopsticks
