Indians have for the longest time been eating with their hands but somehow it always seems to be troublesome in the West, as is the case of Indian-origin Zohran Mamdani, who has been in the news for his role in the New York mayoral candidacy. Amid his growing popularity as a favourite to get the post, the politician who is the son of much-loved filmmaker Mira Nair, was subject to unnecessary criticism because of his way of eating food.
Amid heated competition, Republican Brandon Gill slammed Mamdani for eating rice with his hands in an old video. In a post on X, he said, “Civilized people in America don’t eat like this. If you refuse to adopt Western customs, go back to the Third World.”
Civilized people in America don’t eat like this.
If you refuse to adopt Western customs, go back to the Third World. https://t.co/TYQkcr0nFE
— Congressman Brandon Gill (@RepBrandonGill) June 30, 2025
The comment didn’t go down well with many people including Indians across the world who have grown up eating food with their hands.
Ironically, Gill is married to Indian-origin author Daniella D’Souza, who has come out in support of her husband saying he doesn’t eat with her hands and has grown up eating rice with the fork.
I did not grow up eating rice with my hands and have always used a fork.
I was born in America. I’m a Christian MAGA patriot
My father’s extended family lives in India and they are also Christian and they use forks too.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. https://t.co/pORq7bJPgO
— Danielle D`Souza Gill (@danielledsouzag) June 30, 2025
Being intrinsically part of our culture, eating with hands is almost second nature to most Indians. With this being at the centre of the diss, Dr Amit Saraf, director – Internal Medicine at Jupiter Hospital in Thane, says, “Eating with hands is not just a cultural practice, it has some real health benefits too. This method of eating has deep roots in Indian and Southeast Asian traditions, where food is seen as a sensory experience. When we use our hands, the nerve endings in our fingers send signals to the brain, preparing the stomach for digestion. This can actually help improve gut function.”
Jinal Patel, dietitian, Zynova Shalby Hospital in Ghatkopar West, adds, “It also encourages one to eat mindfully by focusing on the food. So, it is a known fact that this practice dates back to ancient Indian, Middle Eastern, and African cultures, rooted in Ayurveda. Hence, it is believed that five fingers represent the five elements of nature.”
It is not only the role it plays in digestion but also how it influences eating food daily, says the city-based dietitian. “Eating with hands promotes slower, more mindful eating. It allows for control of portion size when compared to eating with a fork or spoon. Doing so can feel more mechanical and detached. While utensils offer cleanliness and convenience, hand-eating will help with digestive awareness.”
On the other hand, Saraf says you are also more likely to chew your food well, eat at a relaxed pace, and stop when you`re full all of which support better digestion and help prevent overeating. “In contrast, eating with a spoon or fork can sometimes lead to faster, more distracted eating. You may not notice portion sizes or textures the same way, which can affect how satisfied you feel after a meal,” he adds.
Saraf informed there aren`t many large-scale clinical trials, but some studies suggest that mindful, sensory-based eating helps regulate metabolism, manage weight, and improve digestion. “As always, hygiene matters clean hands are just as important as clean utensils,” he reminds. On the other hand, Patel says it is a person’s choice and depends on person to person. “One can decide how they want to eat; it is basically about comfort at the end,” she concludes.