Question:
Why can't I get over this compulsion to clean my plate?

I always have to tell myself that it's OK to NOT eat everything on my plate. I can't stand to waste! Does anyone else have this problem? How did you get over it? Thanks!    — Angie M. (posted on May 18, 2003)

May 18, 2003
Are you using a regular-size plate? Are you putting a regular-size portion on that plate? Are you talking about eating at home or eating out? At home, I would use a small plate (or bowl) and measure out my food. Thus, if you clean off that plate, you're not overeating. Eating out, you can either use your salad or roll plate to dish some food off to, putting the rest of the entree out of your reach (or even asking the waiter/waitress if they could box it up ahead of time). Or, you could just order an appetizer and have them bring it as the main course. Or, you could do what Carnie Wilson does with her desserts, take a bite or two - then empty the salt shaker over the rest of it. This last thing seems like a waste of food though...JR
   — John Rushton

May 18, 2003
Yes, me. I've worked around it several ways. One is to make my portions fit my capacity. I use a regular plate, but put small portions around it. Although the small plate, small utensils works for many, it didn't for me. I paid dearly to have WLS (twice), and I want to SEE it. Eery day. And that's another way I work with it. When I leave food on my plate, it is proof my surgery is working. I'm thin another day. No sleep apnea, no high BP, no asthma, maybe tomorrow I'll clean my plate. (but I don't). As best as I can tell, the compulsion to clean my plate is still there, but it's now overriden by the compulsion to prove my surgery is sitll intact.
   — vitalady

May 18, 2003
You know how I deal with wanting to clean my plate? I wrap it up, and put it in the frig for my next meal! That way, there is no guilt over wasting any food, and I don't have to cook later. lol It works! ;)
   — Danmark

May 18, 2003
Get a smaller plate. I use a size between a saucer and salad plate. That along with a baby spoon and it seems to help. If it "ain't" on your plate, you "ain't" gonna eat it. Good luck.
   — Ann B.

May 18, 2003
I only put the amount I'm allowed on my plate. I measure everything. When eating out I ask for a to go container when my food arrives and cut off the portion I'm allowed and everything else goes in the container. I have had to throw away a lot of left overs from my frig which is hard to get used to wasting food, but by that time it's nasty and I wouldn't want to eat it anyway.
   — Sarahlicious

May 18, 2003
Angie- I was raised to clean my plate also. It bothered me to leave food on my plate until I told myself that I would rather have that food go to waste instead of going to my waist. I don't feel guilty anymore. I take some small joy when I see food still sitting on my plate. It helps give me a feeling of having control over food. Habits are hard to break, but not impossible. Good luck. :)
   — Judy K.

May 18, 2003
I was raised to clean my plate (think of all the starving children in Africa! my mother would admonish me. Never saw what that had to do with leftovers since they would go bad by the time we packed them up for the starving kids overseas...). Anyway, now I measure out what I can have (I use 1/2 cup Glad resealable containers and fill them halfway)...and if I manage only a bite or two, the rest goes into the fridge. If I manage almost all of it, I have made a practice of always giving the last bite to my overjoyed dog!
   — Terry R.

May 18, 2003
I don't usually worry about that because I measure out what I know I can eat. and then takes containers out and divide the leftovers I cooked into future meals. I just hate that stuff feeling and It sure don't take much to do. So I measure it out.
   — Naes Wls J.

May 18, 2003
Hi! I'm still pre-op but grappling with this question. I was raised to clean my plate, and now I'm trying to work on that. What has helped me so far: Try and take smaller portions so if I eat everything, it will still be OK. Not to eat with dishes of food on the table (deal out potions and leave food in the kitchen). For post op I bought a small plate with the Little Mermaid on it - actually I should start using it now.... and finally: I have tried to learn to accept waste. I have pet chickens and give it to them. I don't want to waste food, but I try to think of myself as not being a dump for food either. Interestingly enough, my husband grew up in rural europe in a poor family. Their mom did not guilt them into eating everything on their plates because what they didn't eat went to the pigs and other livestock. I try VERY hard not to push my kids to eat. If they don't want it - fine. I really want them to grow up with a healthy attitude towards food. Well, but I degress.... HUGS, this is a tough one, and as I prepare for the surgery, all of these big issues are coming out!
   — w8free

May 18, 2003
Come to think of it, my pet chickens, dog and cats have gotten alot of nice meals the first 6 months post op! Now I just wrap up my food and eat it for the next meal. ;)
   — Danmark

May 19, 2003
The easiest thing to do is simply put less food on your plate and then you can clean the plate off. Right after surgery, when I went to a restaurant, I'd tell the server to bring a take-out box with my meal. I'd immediately leave just enough food on my plate and pack the rest away to take home.
   — Lynette B.

May 20, 2003
I have used a small salad plate since surgery. I found it difficult to not clean my plate at first, now I too, feed my pets. I'm losing and they are gaining! By using a smaller plate, I put less food on the plate, and if I clear it it isn't a big deal! Good luck to you!
   — wiggie34

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