Is eating food with hands ‘unhygienic'? Indian-origin woman's video on London Tube has stirred debate

First Post

29-05-2025

A video of an Indian-origin woman eating with her hands on board a London Tube train has gone viral, sparking an intense debate. While some have pointed out it is a cultural practice, other users called it 'unhygienic' and 'inappropriate' for a public space. But is eating with hands, a widespread norm in many parts of the world, including Asia and Africa, unhealthy? read more
A video of a woman eating with her hands on a public transport has gone viral. X/@RadioGenoa
Is eating with your hands 'unhealthy'? A debate was sparked online after a video of an Indian-origin woman eating curry and rice with her hand on board a London Tube train went viral recently.
While many social media users pointed out that it is a cultural practice in many regions, others dubbed it 'unhygienic' and 'inappropriate' for a public space. The West has always looked down upon the art of eating with hands, stigmatising a widely accepted practice in the Indian subcontinent and other parts of the world.
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So, is eating with hands not good for your health? We will explain.
Indian-origin woman's food video sparks debate
An Indian-origin woman was filmed on a London Tube train eating food with her hands and speaking loudly on the phone.
The video, originally shared on TikTok and then X, went viral, triggering a fierce debate online.
While some defended the act as a cultural practice, others advised the woman to use cutlery.
Sharing the video, a user on X wrote, 'RIP London.'
Another user commented: 'She's not bothering you. She's enjoying her food, leave her alone and mind your own business. She could have been very hungry and needed food. Don't mock others. I've seen white people eat burgers on the train with their HANDS.'
'If you're a guest in someone's country. Be grateful and adapt,' a second wrote.
'Aside from eating in public with your fingers like that… Imagine touching all those rails and ticket kiosks and handles and then just putting your fingers in your mouth,' said another.
Defending her, a user chimed in, 'Plenty of Brits eat chips or sandwiches on trains, no one bats an eye. But an Indian woman eating rice with her hand? Suddenly, it's a crisis. Meanwhile London Tube at night looks like a drug den. Funny how harmless traditions bother people more than actual public safety issues.'
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Some also criticised the woman for speaking loudly on the call. The incident has put a spotlight on the chasm between the West and other countries about what is acceptable and what is not when it comes to eating habits.
Where eating with hands isn't frowned upon
People in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh love eating their food with their hands.
Whether it is biryani in India or fish and rice in Bangladesh, food tastes better when consumed with hands.
In other parts of South and Southeast Asia, the West Asia, and Africa, it is also highly common to eat with one's hands.
And it is hardly an 'unclean' activity. People are expected to wash their hands before digging into their food, and not just after. In Indian culture, the correct way to eat is considered with the right hand.
Eating with our hands helps us experience the food with all our senses. Art historian, academic, author and museum curator Alka Pande, told The Week that our (Indians') body and food are 'related'.
'We are a sensual lot ― the touch, taste and smell of the food are related. We believe in pressure points in hands and the physicality of food is important for us. The flavour of rice or roti is enhanced when had with hands. Where is the flavour in having it with knife and fork?'
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However, the West has attached a stigma to eating with one's hand. While some 'finger foods' like fish and chips and burgers are okay, eating with your hands is often met with disgust and discrimination.
Is eating with hands unhealthy?
Far from it.
Instead, experts say it can improve digestion and prevent overeating.
As per Ayurveda, each finger represents one of the five elements: the thumb symbolises fire, the index finger represents air, the middle finger represents sky, the ring finger symbolises earth and the little finger represents water.
It is said that eating with your hands stimulates the five senses and creates intimacy with food.
Eating with your hands is good for digestion. AI-generated image
Some say that the practice makes the food taste even better. However, this may be subjective.
Ayurvedic practitioners recommend that after washing hands, one should eat a meal with only the five fingers, without food touching the palm, while sitting on the floor cross-legged to improve digestion.
Experts say that when a person eats with their hands, the portion size is in control and they tend not to overeat.
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Speaking to The Week, Payal Kothari, gut health nutritionist and wellness coach, said that eating with hands helps people connect with their culture and heritage and it has other benefits. 'Hands and eyes can also detect the temperature and texture of the food, helping your body prepare for digestion.'
According to her, people also become more mindful of what they are eating.
Eating with hands can boost immunity as it can reportedly expose us to beneficial bacteria present in our skin, mouth, and gut that can protect us from harmful pathogens.
With inputs from agencies