Clean Plate Club - Your Thoughts?

[wtpclc]

I was lurking on the no scale challenge and this question sort of came up. I'm pretty curious of what people think.

I've seen 2 kinds of families in my day. The clean platers (the sun won't shine unless you finish, can't leave your table until you finish...) and the people who leave food on the plate. In my opinion, the Clean Plate Club families have done their kids an injustice. Now, while it is important to make sure your kids eat, the "I've got to finish it all" way of thinking has stuck with too many adults and we end up eating more than we should.

Anyone else see this? Anyone else truly believe it's a horrible waste not to finish it all?

This topic just struck a chord (that's 2 for me today) and I was wondering how the rest of you felt.

Lisa, please forgive me for stealing your question. It was really good and I wanted to see more replies.

 

[clarabelle]

I feel the same way you do about the clean plate club.
I try really hard not to make a big deal about food one way or another with my kids.
It is funny to me to be out at say Mc Donalds (the ones with playgrounds) with other people who have small children and they are trying to make their kids eat "just a few more fries" before they let them play.
We are talking FRENCH FRIES- not fruit or veggies. Grease,starch and sodium. They don't even want them- they want to play and move around and we are trying to make them eat something that is not good for them!
OK I will come off my soap box now

 

[ZerasPride]

No problem Carrie! When I first saw your post, I thought maybe you thought I was a terrible person for not finishing all the food on my plate all the time. I was conditioned as child not to waste food. It's not the only reason but certainly contributed to me ballooning up to my highest weight.

I try to get just what I will eat and only put that on my plate but sometimes I misjudge or get full fast, like at breakfast this morning. It may take me a while to get the full hang of what a normal portion really is.

I'd love to hear other WISHers comments on this one too.

 

[webray]

Hubby and I have decided...no more clean plate club...doing that we way over eat. Tried to condition our kids..as they grew up...you don't have to eat everything on your plate.

Now, they have always been good eaters...meat, veggies, etc..so they were always eating enough..just not stuffing themselves because "we said to do it".

Now, I have three very healthy adult children..and they don't have weight problems like hubby and I do from being part of the clean plate club when we were growing up.

That rule needs to go for sure!

 

[audflash]

Most definitely was brought up with the clean plate theory. I can remember my poor little brother sitting forever at the table after we had all finished and moved on. Did not choose to impose that particular punishment on my own kids. Hubby was also brought up to 'not waste' and he wasn't quite as sure about my 'free-wheelin' approach to dinner. Did we throw away food? Yes. Do my kids know that they can eat until they are full and walk away-even if there is still food left on the table? Yes.

By the way, I still clean my plate as a rule and ALWAYS feel a twinge of guilt if I don't.

 

[perfectmatch300]

The clean plate club is one that I really need to resign from!

I was such a picky eater as a little kid that it was pushed on me to eat! Unfortunately for me I eventually bought in to it, & now I have the hardest time not finishing everything. I'm still a work in progress trying to un-do that habit!

 

[KimRaye]

Don't all of you clean-plate club members remember the "treat" you were bribed with as well?!?!?! THAT was the killer. Eat all THIS, and you can add MORE calories and sugar and "treats" to your pre-bedtime, evening!

I'm not blaming my mom, she has the same problem as I do, only several pounds difference. I do NOT force feed my kids tho, because of how I was raised. I don't remember ever feeling like I was truly starving, so why force the food? I do try to push the healthier snacks, and just some basic food items, before I allow the true 'snacks' tho.

I read on the CB (I think), where someone had a problem with their child's eating. Someone replied and told them to have their child make a fist.....that's the size of their stomach. Let them eat as good as you can, without forcing food. It only creates barf-a-rama if you force beyond that.

And yes, given my history, I still believe it's a waste sometimes, but what's the alternative? Granted, I've met wonderful people here on WISH, but do I want my children to need that also?

This is a very good thread I think, about NOT continuing our own viscious cycle.

 

[wtpclc]

Thanks for all your responses. I had a mother who was forced to eat as a child and swore never to do it to us. She made us try everythign and that was about it. (Yes, my weight issues are my own fault) Her sister, the "good" child, has battled weight for years and has diabetes and heart problems.

My husband came from a family where you were made to clean your plate. (the avereage weight in his family shows it) I've forced him to get over that! When I told him about this thread, though, and the people who feel guilty for not eating all their food, he had some good advice. Get a dog! LOL

Seriously, though. Your eating everything will not help people in 3rd world countires get more to eat and it has no effect on the weather.

Kim - Good point on the "finish and you'll get dessert"! What do people think?

I know they have their child's well being at heart, but let's think about this. When I watch how my niece and nephews eat, it amazes me to think of forcing them to eat more than they want.

One day they'll hardly take two bites. The next day they will eat more than I do. They'll eat when they're hungry, just make sure they eat the good stuff when they are.

One last plug from my soap box: If you feel you have to eat everything on your plate, take less than you think you'll eat. You can always go back for seconds!

 

[TaraBelle1069]

When I saw the subject, the first thing that popped into my mind was 50s Prime Time Cafe at Disney-MGM Studios! I was forced to eat peas (I hate peas) once when I ate there. I know it's part of the theme but now that I think about it, they really shouldn't force anyone to eat anything they don't want to...for so many reasons. One time I was there I got a "Clean Plate Club" sticker....no peas at that meal!

My parents used to try to make me eat when I was very young but they quickly learned that I would stay at the table for hours so it didn't work on me. Not that them giving up on that kept me thin! However, going forward in life, I won't ever clean my plate if I don't want to and I will not go into a buffet with a "get my money's worth" attitude!