I think there may be in fact some explanation, and that is the fact that eating with your hands provides your body with temperature and texture cues for what is coming in, and it can prepare accordingly.

There is an ancient Sanskrit writing - which says that to get the maximum pleasure out of any activity, including eating, human beings should involve the maximum number of 'senses'. meaning we should involve all senses if possible, i.e. touch, taste, smell, vision and sound.

With the advent of eating 'tools' like forks and knives we have completely lost the 'touch' sensation with our food. we still involve vision (see our food), taste and smell of course and perhaps the sizzling sound of the grill sometimes.

In my personal experience, I always enjoy a meal more if I use my fingers, especially if the food makes me lick them :) ..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qw9oX-kZ_9k

All kidding aside ... when I'm eating alone, yep. When I am eating with others, no. I think it would make them a bit uncomfortable and I'd rather not. While it is contenting eating a lamb chop using my hands it is not necessary for me to enjoy it. Hopefully my future spouse won't mind a carnivore. XD

Does pizza count???

Psych!

In all seriousness, eating food with ones hands does seem to be much more enjoyable.

BUT! Would that increase "food reward"? Does eating with ones hands positively correlate with weigh gain?

OR! Does eating "con manos" promote satiety via greater awareness and sensory engagement?

Any chance I get I eat with my hands! I absolutely love it and I have no explanation why.

I eat most things with my hands. I basically can't eat steak with a fork and knife and instead tear off bite size pieces with my fingers. Same with most other meat. For that reason, I wait for things to cool to room temperature. My big exceptions are soft things like yogurt, or liquidy things like sauerkraut, although I've been known to use my fingers for both of those things, too. I do use utensils where culturally mandated though, such as a work lunch. No ideas on convincing the family--it totally drives mine crazy.

I suggest that you cook them a mouth-watering bone marrow stew like Osso Bucco, and then sit back in smug satisfaction as they struggle to politely extract the delicious marrow with their knives and forks. ;)

Edit: interesting order of questions on the main page at the moment; "how to get more food in" is followed by this. Serendipity?

I only eat meat with bones with my hands since I gave up bread.

First off, love this question.

My family has always prepared a lot of our own food. For us, food was an experience, a way of building community and engaging in the joys of life. My mama always told me that "food and family are all about joy" -- joy of the senses included. So while I don't eat with my hands all the time, it is something I do a great deal of the time.

In fact, the two exceptions I can think of are when I indulge in some Greek yoghurt (which likely requires a spoon), or when eating a salad, for which I use a fork or chopsticks. Upon reflection, I'm going to try eating both with my hands, if for nothing else than a bit of fun.

Also, I think the kind of utensil plays a role. I prefer chopsticks over anything, because it feels more 'in tune' to me. I can imagine a caveman using sticks to pick up a piece of hot food, but that's just me.

Final thought -- I've certainly been called out for using my hands to eat. I think culture and context play a role. More than once I've just said to the person that I'm not causing any harm, my hands are clean, and frankly it is more natural. Back to my first point, the joy of eating should play a role.

the increase in protein in my diet means that I have much tougher fingernails that I can't cut without scissors. I have let them grow into claws and use them to scrape the meat away from the bones, also the long thumbnails help to open up prawns for example. I don't eat with my hands all the time - depends what I am eating and with who.

Anchovies always.

You use every other sense...why not touch?

Even when I don't have a fork, I got my pocket knife. Whittle chopsticks, if needed. So, the answer is no. The Chinese style suits me, the Hindu sickens me. Just don't ask if I wipe my butt the paleo way.