A New Perspective on Finishing Your Plate

Hi Friends!
Today, I want to share a small but significant shift in my thinking that's been challenging a long-held belief of mine. It's about food, enjoyment, and making mindful choices.

Growing up, my parents instilled in me the importance of finishing what's on my plate. "Don't waste food," they'd say, and this principle served me well for many years. But recently, I've been re-examining this idea, particularly when it comes to what I call 'optional foods' - desserts, sweets, and generally unhealthy options like fried or fatty foods.

I've noticed something interesting about my healthier friends. When they're eating these 'optional' foods, they often don't finish them if they're not absolutely loving every bite. At first, this seemed wasteful to me. After all, I've always felt compelled to clean my plate, even if I'm not 100% enjoying what I'm eating.

It's a work in progress for me. That childhood voice urging me not to waste food is still pretty loud. But I'm learning that it's okay - even beneficial - to leave those last few bites of a mediocre dessert or put down that bag of chips if I'm not genuinely enjoying them.

I'm curious about your thoughts on this. Do you struggle with the "clean your plate" mentality? How do you balance enjoyment, health, and waste when it comes to food?

Kevin Ng
P.S. Remember, sometimes the healthiest choice is knowing when to put down the fork. What food choices might you reconsider this week?