Psychologist says we've all been eating food wrong our whole lives

An experimental psychologist has made a revelation that could change the way you eat forever. Professor Charles Spence, lecturer at the University of Oxford, has dedicated his life to studying multi-sensory foods, and is now sharing his secret to enjoying your food: giving up cutlery.

Apparently, eating with just your hands can "improve texture and the flavour of food" – and new research backs him up too. A survey by restaurant booking platform TheFork shows that, if given the chance, one in four Brits would like to ditch the knife, fork and spoon for a more hands-on experience.

And we're not just talking about crispy chicken fingers and tacos – you should grab fistfuls of pasta, messy curries and other non-traditional grub too. Of the 2,500 people who took part in the research, 19% admitted feeling "more relaxed" when eating with their hands, while others said it was easier (13%), more indulgent (12%) and for 1 in 10 it made the meal even tastier.

“Eating with your hands is scientifically proven to improve texture and the flavour of food, as well as a whole host of health benefits," Professor Spence said. It's something more people should know about and get to grips with!

"Many of the world’s most popular foods are eaten with the hands – think burgers, tacos, tortilla, wraps, and wings, so why can't other foods be as well? Eating with our hands helps to make us more mindful about what we are eating and heighten our dining experience, rather than just thoughtlessly using cutlery like we always do.

"The fork gets in the way and separates you from your senses."

Despite the 'digit-dining' trend taking off among hungry Brits, many are still reluctant to try it – with concerns about how others will react. While one in three people are comfortable dining with hands only at home, 15% fear being considered 'childish' if they do so in restaurants.

Other worries include 'being frowned upon’ by society (20%), uncouth (17%) and being judged (13%) in general. For others, however, the handsy act makes them feel rebellious against expected etiquette and a ‘little naughty’ when doing so.

As people experience the emotional and psychological benefits of eating with their hands, even liquid meals could become menu staples. Feel like you're up to the task? Well, here's your chance.

Get those hands washed and ready to dig in because TheFork has also launched the UK's first-ever 'Hands-Glee' dining experience at 20 London restaurants – starting from 25 October. At these venues (see list below), diners will be encouraged to swap forks for fingers, and you'll be surrounded by like-minded souls so there's no need to worry about what others might think.

“Our mission at TheFork is to bring happiness to restaurant-goers through amazing dining experiences and Hands-Glee dining is designed to do just that," said Patrick Hooykaas, the company's regional managing director.

"London is brimming with dozens of different cultures and cuisines and we know many around the world already better connect with their food by eating with their hands, so we wanted to bring this to restaurants across the capital.

"With the variety of restaurants available on TheFork, we aim to encourage people to discover new cuisines and feel inspired when dining out, whilst feeling comfortable enough to get more hands-on with their food.”

Professor Spence added: "Drop the fork this October and give eating with your hands a try to feel and taste the difference, safe in the knowledge that you won't be the only one.”

LIST OF RESTAURANTS OFFERING THE EXPERIENCE:

Don Ciccio Osteria Pizzeria - Italian
Shezan, Knightsbridge - Indian
Sticky Mango, Waterloo - South East Asian
Big Fernand, South Kensington - French
Aubaine, Brompton Road - French
Happy Lamb Hotpot, Bayswater - Chinese/Mongolian
Osteria Del Mercato, Leadenhall Market - Italian
28-50, South Kensington - European
28-50, Oxford Circus - European
28-50, Chelsea - European
RedFarm, Covent Garden - Chinese
Escape Bar and Caribbean Tapas, Crystal Palace - Caribbean
Calabash Restaurant & Bar, Greenwich - African
Magenta, Bloomsbury - Northern Italian
Shilpa Indian Restaurant - Indian
AperiPasta Italian Kitchen & Prosecco Bar - Italian
Swan, Shakespeare’s Globe - British
Viet Quan - Vietnamese
Primos Mexican Cantina - Mexican