Is Eating While Standing Bad For You?
Short answer
There’s evidence to suggest that eating while standing up leads to excess calorie consumption. But as long as you take your time and remain cognizant of how much you’re eating, standing for your meals is not that bad for you.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Many of us give considerable thought to the food we eat, and the frequency with which it is consumed. However, fewer of us stop to think about the way we are actually eating—are we seated comfortably at the kitchen table for dinner or standing in the break room grabbing a quick bite between meetings?
Does it really make a difference? Or could eating standing up bad for you?
Back in 2011, USA Today ran a story stating that eating while standing could actually lead to excess calorie consumption. In the study, those who ate while standing consumed about 30 percent more calories than those who were seated. Researchers theorized that “standers” were not psychologically registering the food as an actual meal. Generally, it takes the brain about 20 minutes to receive and interpret signals from the stomach indicating that it’s full. And since they were standing, these participants were inclined to eat faster rather than to slow down and savor, which led to mild indigestion and overeating.
And of course, overeating leads to weight gain. Eating just one meal standing up probably won’t make a huge difference. But if you frequently go over your daily recommended calories, packing on a few extra pounds here and there can easily give way to obesity. And obesity is no joke—it can cause other serious (and potentially even life-threatening) health conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease and more.
However, on the plus side, standing while eating requires more physical exertion than sitting. In fact, you can burn up to 50 extra calories each hour just by standing, as opposed to remaining seated. It might not seem like much, but all that extra energy expended really adds up over time.
Both sides have their perks and pitfalls. If you eat while sitting, you’re less active... but likely to consume less calories. And if you eat while standing, the opposite holds true. So what’s the best way to eat your food?
It’s probably safest to be more active throughout your day—take the stairs instead of the elevator, for instance—but stay seated when it comes to your meals. However, just because you are sitting down doesn’t mean you will automatically eat less. Remember: it takes 20 minutes for your brain to register that your stomach is full. It’s your responsibility to pay attention to your pace as well as the amount of food you’re consuming.
Possible short-term side effects
- indigestion (from eating too fast)
Possible long-term side effects
Benefits
- faster/more convenient
-
burns additional calories
Please turn your Ad Blocker off to see this content. Thank you!
Approved by 
