healthy nerd

As a child, my dad used to fold a piece of paper, insert into the upper part between the chopsticks and secure it with a string or rubber band. This method allowed me to use chopsticks like a tong until I eventually learned to use them without properly.

Whenever my son is given his set of chopsticks, he commonly uses it to poke the food or to spear whatever is on his plate. Because of this, I employ the same technique as my father applied to me (and my chopstick use) with my son, who manages to pick some food using his mommy-made chopsticks.

According to a popular Eastern legend, the idea of using chopsticks originated from cranes, who would eat their food one bite-sized piece at a time using their beaks. Can this be the reason behind the absence of obese or even fat cranes? Properly paced eating? Maybe, maybe not.

Japanese food has been designed to be eaten with chopsticks. They believe that it tastes better that way. Also, most Japanese foods are served in bite-sized pieces or are cooked well to be easily eased apart using chopsticks.

Not all people are adept in using chopsticks. A lot of people usually fumble with the sticks, or hold and use them in a manner that would later render their hands and wrists numb, painful (even cramped) that would eventually cause their stomachs to be quite unsatisfied from not having to eat too much. Yet, using chopsticks is quite easy to master if we remember some basic rules.

First, pick up one chopstick and hold it in between your thumb and the first two fingers (index and middle fingers) of your hand, just like holding a pencil or a pen. This grip is often referred to as the three-digit grasp that allows this chopstick to move. Next, get the other chopstick and place it between your fourth and fifth (ring finger and pinky) fingers. This chopstick will stay still, secured by your index and middle fingers. The first chopstick can now be moved up and down using your thumb and index finger.

It may be easy to use chopsticks to pick up bite-sized pieces of food, but eating rice may prove trickier. It is perfectly acceptable to bring the rice bowl near the mouth while you eat rice. Chopsticks are then used to out rice into the mouth in a flick-like motion.

It may sound really cliché, but even in using chopsticks, practice makes perfect!

Popularity: 10% [?]