Many Vietnamese people often have the habit of sitting on the floor or on mats while eating. Is this way of eating good for health? Below is the explanation from experts.
For a long time, Vietnamese people have had the habit of sitting on the floor while eating. However, nowadays, many families have equipped themselves with dining tables and chairs for meals.
So, when eating rice, is it better to sit on the floor or at a table? Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Duy Thinh, former lecturer at the Institute of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, states that each family and country has different eating cultures. Therefore, there is no standard for whether one should sit on the floor or at a table.
“The act of sitting or standing while eating is merely a habit. However, sitting at a table is better than sitting on the floor. This is because when sitting on the floor, the posture requires bending the stomach, which can hinder digestion. Moreover, sitting on the floor while eating increases the risk of hygiene issues and exposure to dirt…
In the past, many Vietnamese people did not have the means to furnish tables and chairs, so sitting on the ground was convenient and simple. Eating at a table is more polite, less dusty, and allows for a more comfortable posture without bending, making the dining experience more enjoyable. Therefore, eating at a table is better than sitting on the floor or on a mat,” said Associate Professor Thinh.
Sitting on the floor while eating is not a healthy way to eat. (Illustrative image).
Sharing the same view as Associate Professor Nguyen Duy Thinh, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Lam, former Deputy Director of the National Institute of Nutrition, believes that whether to eat while standing, at a dining table, or sitting on the floor depends on various factors such as economic conditions, culture, or daily habits. However, when considering health aspects, each eating posture can have different effects.
Regarding sitting on the floor, scientifically, the stomach may be pushed up, which can hinder food digestion.
When sitting on the floor, if hygiene is not maintained well, the ground or mat may not be clean, leading to food contamination, bacteria, or parasites. Particularly in cramped spaces, an uncomfortable sitting posture can affect the stomach and even the psychological state while eating. Pregnant women should avoid sitting on the floor while eating.
Associate Professor Lam noted that sitting on the floor may be suitable for overweight individuals who aim to lose weight. This sitting method may not significantly impact them because their goal is to eat less.
According to Associate Professor Lam, eating at a table is reasonable. When sitting at a dining table, legs can stretch out, avoiding excessive constriction. Especially, the stomach is not compressed and remains in a vertical position, making digestion easier and allowing individuals to eat more.
Eating at a table is good for health. (Illustrative image).
“As for eating while standing, it does have certain benefits for digestion. In this position, the stomach is oriented downward, which helps with easier digestion and allows for more food intake. However, most standing meals occur during parties, so this is not a common eating method in households,” said Associate Professor Lam.
Eating while standing has certain benefits for digestion.
According to experts, if a family has many members and limited space or economic difficulties, they may sometimes be unable to purchase a large dining table. Therefore, the most important thing to remember in eating practices is to ensure a balanced and diverse diet according to the needs of each individual.
Additionally, families should adhere to some principles such as not eating for more than 2 hours, not swallowing food too quickly, and chewing thoroughly for easier digestion, reducing pressure on the stomach.
