Eating at the table, on a chair, with cutlery: this way of doing things seems so natural to us today that we forget that it is above all cultural. However, according to doctor Jimmy Mohamed, these habits are not the most adapted to our physiology. Invited on the HugoDécrypte YouTube channel, he shared a thought which immediately made Internet users react: for him, simply changing our position at mealtime could influence the quantity of food we consume.
The doctor goes even further. He advises sitting directly on the floor, cross-legged, and eating with your hands rather than with cutlery. A surprising recommendation that may seem counterintuitive, but which, according to him, is based on simple physiological mechanisms. So, do you really have to abandon your chair to better control your appetite? Decryption.
Why Jimmy Mohamed advises eating while sitting on the floor
For Jimmy Mohamed, our modern lifestyle has gradually moved us away from certain positions that are more natural for the body. “ We were put in very comfortable positions, but not physiological,” he explains. According to him, eating comfortably seated in a chair allows the stomach to expand without real constraint, which would promote larger meals.
Conversely, the doctor believes that sitting cross-legged would change this dynamic. “
When we sit, our stomach can fill as much as we want… whereas when we eat sitting on the floor, with our legs bent cross-legged, you press on your stomach, you eat less. You reduce your caloric intake! “, he says. On a scientific level, however, this idea deserves to be qualified. Studies do not show that the cross-legged position mechanically reduces stomach capacity. On the other hand, several nutrition specialists point out that the meal environment, the posture adopted and the level of comfort can influence our eating behavior. Sitting on the ground often requires changing position, getting up more difficult and sometimes encourages meals to be taken more slowly, all factors likely to limit excesses.
Eating with your hands: a more instinctive way to find satiety?
Jimmy Mohamed’s other advice is just as surprising: abandon cutlery in favor of your hands. “ When you eat with your hands, you eat a completely different amount. Our hands are made for it! », assures the doctor. Here again, the objective is not so much to modify digestion as the way we eat.
This idea also finds a certain echo in research on mindful eating (mindful eating). Touching food before putting it in the mouth engages the senses more: we become aware of their texture, their temperature, their weight and even their consistency. This additional step naturally slows down the pace of the meal. However, we know that the brain takes around twenty minutes to fully register the satiety signals sent by the digestive system. Eating more slowly therefore gives these mechanisms more time to act, which can help reduce the quantities consumed without feeling like you are restricting yourself.
An original recommendation… but which does not replace the basics of a balanced diet
However, Jimmy Mohamed’s words should not be interpreted as a miracle method for losing weight. To date, no health authority officially recommends eating while sitting on the floor or with your hands in order to reduce your calorie intake. Weight depends above all on many factors: balanced diet, physical activity, sleep, stress, portions and even the quality of foods consumed.
On the other hand, his intervention highlights an often overlooked aspect: the way we eat matters almost as much as what we put on our plate. Taking the time to settle down, avoiding distractions such as the telephone or television, chewing well and listening to hunger and satiety signals remain advice widely validated by nutritionists. Ultimately, more than the chair or the cutlery, it is perhaps our relationship to the meal that we should relearn how to transform.
FAQ: everything you need to know about eating while sitting on the floor
Does eating while sitting on the floor really help you eat less?
There is no scientific evidence showing that this position automatically reduces caloric intake. On the other hand, it can change the way you eat your meal and encourage slower and more conscious eating.
Why does Jimmy Mohamed recommend eating with your hands?
According to him, hands allow you to eat differently and better control quantities. This practice could also encourage more attentive eating by engaging the senses more.
Is eating with your hands better for digestion?
No studies show that eating with your hands directly improves digestion. On the other hand, if this leads to eating more slowly, it can promote a better perception of satiety and a more pleasant meal.
What is the best way to promote satiety?
Specialists recommend eating slowly, chewing well, favoring foods rich in fiber and protein, limiting distractions during meals and listening to hunger and satiety signals.
How long does it take to feel full?
On average, the brain puts about 20 minutes to integrate the satiety signals sent by the digestive system. This is why taking your time during the meal is often recommended to avoid overeating.
