Any Tips For A "Plate Cleaner"

I have used smaller plates fairly successfully. Doesn't solve the problem of cleaning the plate, but it does make cleaning the plate less of a problem since there is less food on them. :-)

Don't put so much on your plate to start with. Put maybe half of what you normally would, eat that and get the satisfaction of a clean plate. Wait 10 minutes or so to be sure your hunger is satisfied, if not, get another small amount if you are truly still hungry. I find that after that waiting period, my hunger is satisfied and I don't want any more.

Expanding on other suggestions:

You don't have to finish it. If you are full, stop eating! Take the leftovers and put em in the freezer for another meal.

If you are looking at the cost of throwing the food away, just think about the cost of poor health later on. Being obese costs more than being healthy.

I know exactly what you mean. I was always taught not to waste food. What I have started thinking about is this......It is also a waste to 'clean my plate' when I am already full. However, not only is it a waste but it is even worse than wasting since eating when not hungry is added unwanted calories in my body and causing more 'harm'.

and when eating out, ask the waitress to bring you one of those take out containers WITH your meal, that way you can immediately pack up your intended leftovers BEFORE you eat, and can clean your plate of the portion you INTEND to eat. It works.

I use Paul McKennas "I can make you thin" book & CD and one of his tips is to put your knife & fork down between mouthfuls (or sit your sandwhich down), chew the food properly, concentrate on the flavours before lifting the fork for the next mouthful. It's supposed to slow down your eating, so you can recognise when you are beginning to feel full, rather than wolfing it down and missing the signal. I've been doing this for 17 days now & I'm definately not eating as fast as I was and I'm eating less as a result. I've noticed husband has polished off his (1st!) portion and I'm only 1/4 of the way in to my meal & happy to leave a little if I'm full. If you put less food on your plate to begin with you don't need to feel bad if you get full, you'll leave less (if any) and will save £/$ on groceries. Leftovers in my house get put in the fridge for the next days lunch. If I'm eating out I have no issues asking for a doggy bag, maybe if everyone asked for doggy bags restaurants would get the message that they're over feeding us and cut their portions to normal sizes (then we can all eat out more!!).

Make sure at least half of your plate is fresh or steamed vegetables, one quarter starch, and one quarter protein.

i was raised with "waste not want not" still not sure what that means but its taken YEARS to stop feeling guilty if i dont finish food..so i try to not put so much on my plate to start with..i sometimes will also log what i'm about to eat..to see how much i'll be consuming..if its too much i'll either adjust the portion or eat something else..if i go out to eat i try to find a restaurant online that has a nutrition menu and decide beforehand what i'm going to eat..but if i dont do that then i try to order something that will still be good the next day..i'm horrible with leftovers and i dont want to waste money..so i find pasta is still great the next day and i will actually eat it..so i dont feel like i'm wasting money! oh and try to eat SLOW.i'm still working on that..i've always been a fast eater so if i dont watch myself i over eat ALL the time...grrr..anyways..good luck!!!

I bought a bag of 10" paper plates. I measure out my portion of protein and carb/starch for the meal and then fill the rest with vegies. I still get a platefull of food, and don't feel guilty about eatting it all. Clean up is a snap too :bigsmile: