Qs on science and my replies to them - Part 265

Q: My grandmother scolds me if I get up from my chair  while eating. What is wrong with it? Is there scientific evidence to confirm that eating in a standing position is bad for health? Is it showing disrespect to food if we get up while eating?

Krishna: On the contrary, tell your grandmother  that eating while standing up may be beneficial for reducing reflux and heartburn, according to science! 

When it comes to eating our meals, it seems for once sitting down might be the preferable choice. People might be more likely to take their time over a meal if seated, although this has not been seriously studied. Eating more slowly is considered to be healthy as it more rapidly increases fullness and decreases appetite, leading to a potential reduction in calorie intake.

 Ancient texts (and elders who were fed on them) recommend always eating while sitting, because while sitting, they say,  one can concentrate better on the food without getting distracted, appreciate it, enjoy it, be grateful for it, chew more slowly, in short it is digested better and is therefore much more wholesome than when standing and eating hastily.

As for eating while standing up, there is no real evidence that it has any negative effects on digestion and it isn’t included on any lists of prohibited activity by healthcare professionals (1). Although gravity isn’t needed for most of the function of the gut, it does help with preventing GERD, which is why many sufferers raise the head of their bed at night.
Standing while eating does have the benefit of promoting more energy expenditure, with estimates of around 50 extra calories an hour burned by standing compared with sitting down. Over an extended period this would add up.

While there is not enough scientific evidence to confidently state that eating in either position is more appropriate, it’s likely that as long as you take your time and eat mindfully, either standing or sitting to eat your meals should be absolutely fine and a healthier alternative to eating lying down.

'Is it showing disrespect to food if we get up while eating?'

That is some people's perception based on the cultural conditioning of the mind. And perception need not be reality.  

But wasting food is definitely showing disrespect towards it and also the poor.

Footnotes:

1. https://theconversation.com/eating-standing-up-is-it-really-bad-for...