Throwing food out

Does anyone else know what I mean about the "depression syndrome," where you or your mother and grandmother lived through the depression and you grew up with messages about not throwing food out. People starved in the depression! Or they're staving in India! Or, they are still hungry in American now. I know that if eat something that isn't good for me that it won't do one bit of good for someone else, but I still have guilt about wasting food. This goes hand in hand with the clean plate club we were raised with. But this nagging voice in my head is not helping me get healthier or loose weight. Any thoughts anyone?

Tue. Jan 17, 6:27am

yes, I can relate. my parents grew up in the depression. we wasted NOTHING. we also, somehow became an overweight family. (although somehow my two brothers seem to be pretty fit)
sometimes you simply have to toss things, to get rid of them.
the best alternative to throwing away would be giving it to a rescue mission, a church group that feeds those in need, donate it to a food drives(there are usually more than one going on at any given time) disaster relief banks.
I think there are many ways we can get rid of food that tempt us, with out actually throwing in a landfill. I know I feel better giving away, rather than throwing away.
when I moved cross country, I emptied my freezer and fridge, and most of my pantry, and brought it all to a neighbor. it was a good feeling to see how pleased she was to receive these gifts.
anyway... good luck with whatever you decide

Tuesday, January 17, 2006, 6:53 AM

I understand what you're saying the only thing with that is most of the time people who live "waste not want not " end up over eating or eating things that should not be eaten. I can't say that I know anybody from that era but I myself have had to live in very tight situation things are much better now but once upon a time they weren't . I now know that it's much better for me to eat in smaller quanities and it's cheaper.{hahaha} Hey here's an idea if you or your neighbors have animals they always like a treat too { remember no chicken bones for dogs they splinter and cause choking hazzard}

Tuesday, January 17, 2006, 7:22 AM

Never mind the depression, I've had my own poverty experiences. After 10 years in grad school, I never throw food out unless it's yucky! I just pour the leftovers into a ziplock freezer bag (or bags -- this a good time to set portions!) and freeze for later in the week.

Tuesday, January 17, 2006, 8:47 AM

yes, throw it out!

Deciding its okay to "waste" food was instrumental for me losing weight, absolutely. Here's why: 1) the first step is ridding your house of unhealthy food, 2) learning to leave food on your plate is nec to learn to eat mindfully only until you are full, 3) eating lots of fruits and veggies results in occasional bad planning, and things spoil and you must waste a little, 4) forcing yourself to eat things you aren't in the mood for or hungry for creates a bad relationship with food, 5) oops, you bought oreos in a moment of weakness, you don't have to eat them all -- toss them, 6) so you want junk food? don't buy the "value size"! buy the single pack, 7) visitors who bring cookies... I could go on.
The not-wasting-food mentality ruined my health and my mother's -- don't go there. Your health is the most important thing.
(OTOH -- I'm all for boxing up half of a meal out, they're always to big and then you get two meals)

Tuesday, January 17, 2006, 10:31 AM

My hubby and I have learned to split meals. If a restaurant is finicky about "splitting dishes", then 1 of us will order a salad, while the other will get an entree.

Definitely get a doggy bag if you think you can't eat it.
I have also learned to just leave the food there if I can't eat it (although that is a hard habit to break) I'd rather not overeat, and leftovers often get tossed when we look at it the next day or 2... Besides, why have them box it up if we don't intend to eat it? That not only wastes the food, it also puts another container in a landfill....

Another thing (much harder) is to try to stop eating and do some talking before eating all of the food on your plate... You may find that you feel fuller after a few minutes and that you really didn't need to eat that food in the first place. :-)

Irissvb

Tuesday, January 17, 2006, 2:02 PM

Boy can I ever relate to that. Plus I used to be incredibly poor so waste was not an option. My dad was also ex-military so the 'clean your plate' message was strong let me tell you! It's also taken me a long time to learn to slow down and enjoy my food, but that might be another thread.

I try to avoid waste now by planning my meals and buying only what I need. I either prepare 2 portions or 4 (1 portion for me and my husband and lunch the next day if it is something that packs well). It really didn't take long to learn to cook the appropriate portion sizes - if it's a grain I use 1/2 and if it's a veggie I double and fruits and other starches are pretty self-explanitory. Planning and cooking what I planned help immensely! I would imagine that this wouldn't work so well for a family with kids though...

It still happens though and I still feel a little twinge of guilt every time. No matter how I try to tell myself "you can afford it and you need to be able to do this." That early conditioning is strong!

However I have no problems getting rid of sweets given to me by others - anything that can't go straight to my husband's office gets tossed.

Tuesday, January 17, 2006, 4:05 PM

TOSSER

Okay - I am becoming a major food tosser -
My wife's leftovers in particular
I love them don't get me wrong -WICKED tasty - but they are not part of my
uber P-L-A-N
Am I doing something wrong - I know the whole "you would eat it anyway so don't worry" theory - but my wife keeps cooking stuff even though I tell her not to so I end up tossing more and more

HELP what do I do ?

Wednesday, April 09, 2008, 8:52 PM

I don't believe it is just throwing out your food, my issue is that I was told to finish everything on my plate.

Wednesday, April 09, 2008, 11:10 PM

If I'm not going to eat it - I don't make it. Nor do I buy it. I made that resolution 4 years ago and boy has it made a difference in successful maintenance and our grocery bill!

I have become a 'planner' - I plan every meal, how many leftovers I expect and which nights we'll go out. Occasionally I end up with unplanned leftovers from restaurants which I can write off with 0 guilt, but for the most part I'm glad I've found a way to reconcile my conciense with my budget and it works great for me.

Wednesday, April 09, 2008, 11:26 PM

Why do you have food that isnt good for you? Dont buy it anymore, you wont have to worry about wasting it.
If you have food thats good for you, eat a serving size, and save the rest for your next meal.

Thursday, April 10, 2008, 2:04 PM

Dont finish what's on your plate, eat a serving size, and save the rest for your next meal time.

a 12 ounce steak is actually 3 servings.

Thursday, April 10, 2008, 2:05 PM

can someone answer my question ?

-8:52

Thursday, April 10, 2008, 2:11 PM

8:52 Sounds to me like you need to have a serious discussion with your wife - and maybe take over the cooking!
Frankly, I've never heard of the "you would eat it anyway so don't worry" theory - not any diet philosophy I'd subscribe to!

Thursday, April 10, 2008, 6:26 PM

8:52- you must sit down and talk with her, she is sabotaging you. The question is why? you need to find out. Good luck!

Thursday, April 10, 2008, 7:40 PM

thanks

-8:52

Friday, April 11, 2008, 10:06 AM

In response to the recent hike in food prices and the thought of the food shortages around the world, I have let my family know that I simply will not buy what we will not eat. And, that goes double for junky, processed foods.

Friday, April 11, 2008, 10:46 AM

"you would eat it anyway so don't worry" theory -is : You take it to work 'cause your wife made it as leftovers and she won't eat it - but then you toss it b/c it is not on the plan - no worrying about it because it would have gone on your gut instead of the garbage...I did that this morning - quite a bit of food really - a few years ago I would have eaten it all that is how I gained weight becasue my wife is a great cook !
I know not good, but I don't do it very often, usually I use it as a substitute, but I am being really strict for one more month...

Friday, April 11, 2008, 2:25 PM

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