WHY YOU SHOULD HAVE NEVER FINISHED YOUR PLATE

Without too much hardship, I can clearly recall long dinner table sessions during which my dad would slam his fists on the table telling me to finish all the food on my plate. Well, perhaps a little less barbaric than that sounds, it was more like we would have a heated ‘conversation’ in which I would say I wasn’t hungry and he would tell me that that’s too bad because I had to finish what I had been served anyway. He’s to the type of man who wouldn’t directly link it to Africa, but come to think of it, those types of arguments are definitely the base for all the “finish your meal” stories. There are people starving, so you need to stop being so stuck up and eat what you can.

Well now the European Journal of Clinincal Nutrition (I have no idea what it is, but it sounds serious and smart) is concluding that that has not necessarily always been a good idea. Why? Well when kids are taught at a young age to always finish their entire meal, it’s something they’re going to be doing when they’re older too. “On average, these kids have a higher BMI than kids who don’t have to do this.” And there’s more to it, because kids no longer recognize the difference between ‘being hungry’ and ‘being full’ since they were always forced to down everything that was presented to them on a plate.

Aha! Well now I understand why I am never able to stick to just one piece of candy but always find myself eating the entire bag.  And that’s also the reason ‘one glass of wine’ does not exist in my vocabulary, but an entire bottle. This is all one big wake up call. So glad everything is now resolved. Incase you have any kids of your own, the next time all of you are seated around your dinner table, just opt for smaller portions. It’s the best alternative. If they’re still hungry afterwards, an extra portion never hurt anybody. By the time they grow up they’ll have mastered the art of controlled eating. High five!