Waisting food

minimyzeme

As one who grew up being told to eat everything on their plate, I have had the hardest time throwing food awaythat's been served to me. Leftovers are no problem but some things just don't lend themselves to re-serving IMHO. In those circumstances, if I'm being mindful, I may not finish what's served (lots of restaurants seem to serve humongous portions). When I'm 'full', I'm left with a dilemma. Do I finish it just because it's there or do I throw it out and waste it (a royal sin)?

It has taken me a long time to view the choice in those circumstances as either wasting the food by throwing it out or wasting it by eating it (thus "waisting" it). It still is really hard for me to throw food away but I've come to realize it's a waste either way, but at least by throwing it out, I'm not adding to my waist and weight.

How do you do with throwing food away? Is what you do today any different than what you did before you started losing weight? Do tell.

88olds

I have no problem throwing food away. DW has a huge problem throwing food away. This is a problem.

DavidKuhnsSr

I don't throw food away. I compost it.

goldenfrisbee

I'm going to remember that one "waisting food". That really puts it in to perspective. Thanks, Kim @ minimyzeme

Al_Howard

If you compost the vegetative stuff, there is much less to have a "food funeral". And, if you're like many of us, the meat is never leftover.

Rachel0778

I love the phrase "waisting food"!

I have a hard time throwing away food. I'm not super picky about leftovers, so most of the time I take it in a doggy bag and find some way to repurpose it. If it's something I don't want, like the hashbrowns that came with my breakfast this weekend, my dog gets an exceptionally good treat. He's happy, I'm happy, it's a win-win.

TimDumez

Kim, like you I would much rather "waste" it than "waist" it. LTL, I have no problem throwing food away, for whatever valid reason... YMMV

imastar2

Kim...I was raised the same way. But beyond that I have a hard time wasting food so I keep it and eat the left overs. Something about throwing away perfectly good food bothers me. DW will toss in a minute and DS will eat leftovers sometimes.

In general if it borders on being in Fridge too long though of course it gets tossed. I do have an issue though with tossing good food. I'm not good at reprocessing it either.

gadgetgirlIL

I also was raised not to waste food. However if I let something sit long enough in the refrigerator, then it becomes easier to toss as I've had foodborne illnesses before.

My bigger challenge is when I purchase something like a bag of chips or a dessert-type item and find out that it doesn't meet expectations. Rather than toss it, I keep having another bite somehow expecting it to taste better. It never does.

Out_of_Bubblegum

When I was in high school, I befriended a Korean exchange student.... one day his mother invited me over to their house to share a meal with their family.

This was my first experience with Korean food... and really with the culture as a whole. The food was amazing! Spicy pork with kimchi and rice with seaweed... I was in heaven and dutifully cleaned my plate as I was taught.
My friend's mother... not saying a word, smiled and refilled my plate..... no problem, I knew how to handle that!! I happily cleaned my plate again. She looked at me a little oddly, then piled a third helping on my plate.. again without saying a word or asking if I wanted more! I was getting pretty full but did not want to be rude.. so pushed on to finish my meal.

As I approached my last few bites, she became upset and started speaking to her son in Korean, who asked me... are you still hungry?? I told him that I could not eat another bite... and he wondered if I was full, why did I keep emptying my plate?

I learned later that Korea faced severe famine after the Korean war... and it left a very big impact on their culture. It is considered very rude to eat and not share, even if you have almost nothing. Because your guest may not have any food at all.... and a good host wants to make sure you have eaten enough, wants to see a little food left on your plate as a sign that you are fully satisfied.....

This was an important lesson to me.... at the time it was a lesson that not all cultures have the same values... and now, years later, it reminds me to stop eating when I have had enough. Not when my plate is empty.

MurpleCat

I have never experienced the concept "stopping eating when I am satisfied". Its just not in my repertoire.

At home, I serve myself what I've budgeted for, and I eat it.
The remainder gets portioned out for lunches and midweek suppers.

At a restaurant, I estimate what I've budgeted for and eat that. I don't like to waste food either, so to be honest, I try to order something that I can finish or almost finish. I don't get huge plates of pasta, for example. And I don't take home extra chips or french fries, or other things that don't reheat well. I don't want to waste food, but I also don't want to waste my calories (points) on food that sucks.

podkey

I am more of a budget guy and put the right amount on my plate. I don't like "wasting" food unlike DW. Raised as a good ole plate cleaner guy. Trying to change that more by taking less food to begin with.

Jimb376mfp

I'm OLD, does anyone else remember parents saying:

"Eat your dinner there are children starving in _____(insert third world country here)"

Out_of_Bubblegum

Jimb376mfp wrote: »

I'm OLD, does anyone else remember parents saying:

"Eat your dinner there are children starving in _____(insert third world country here)"

I heard this one enough... and growing up in poverty from age 7 until 14 didn't help either.

linmueller

I struggle to throw food away. I try to order small portions (an appetizer for my meal), something I can rewarmed, or food I can repurpose (ie. I'll take just the chicken from the extra 1/2 of my sandwich, and use it in a morning scramble or on my salad for lunch). I will also ask that they not serve something I know I won't eat, or that I don't want to eat, or I ask if I can sub something healthy or that my DH would like.

minimyzeme

Thanks all!