Kids Who Had To Finish Everything On Their Plate Usually Have 7 Food Habits That Never Left
Koldunov | Shutterstock My aunt used to tell my cousins and me that eating all our food would make our plates happy, and we even had plates with zoo animals on them that would reveal themselves once we finished everything. Plenty of kids grew up the same way, but finishing your plate isn't always a great lesson.
Parents and caregivers are just doing the best they can to make sure their kids are eating enough and eating right. Unfortunately, the clean-your-plate club can create bad food habits that started with the best intentions. Even though they now set the rules for themselves, it can still be hard to move past this ingrained mindset.
Food habits kids who had to finish everything on their plate often develop in adulthood:
1. They eat even when they’re not hungry
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Those who grew up overeating might develop compulsive eating habits. This means that they eat even when they’re not experiencing hunger cues. This phenomenon is more common than we realize and affects roughly 38-49% of people each month. Being told to eat all of their food may create what's referred to as a “mouth hungry” person who wants to eat even when they’re full.
One way to avoid this habit is by distracting yourself when these feelings arise. Instead of giving in, do something else to take your mind off the urge. It’s easier said than done, though, especially if someone grew up with a lot of pressure placed on food.
2. They finish everything even once they’re full
Having to eat everything on their plates as kids can change the way people view food. They feel they have to finish their meal no matter how full they are. Some people may binge eat because they feel pressured to eat everything on their plates. This often makes them feel uncomfortably full, which can wreak havoc on their digestive system. It can lead to serious eating disorders.
Most of us have overeaten at some point. Usually it’s because we like how something tastes and want to finish it no matter what. Some people feel this every time they eat, and they have for most of their lives.
3. They have anxiety about wasting food
Studies have found that nearly 50% of all food waste could be eaten. That means perfectly good food is landing in the dumpster.
This can make some people frustrated. Why should something edible go to waste? They feel uncomfortable adding to the problem and would rather clear their plates to prevent this. Often, this stems from the way their parents encouraged them to eat.
Some people struggle to grow out of these feelings. They take on too much responsibility. Although they can’t fix food waste issues alone, they may do what they can to avoid being part of the problem.
4. They eat without thinking
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When someone has an unhealthy relationship with food, they may incorporate it into everything they do. This is especially true for those who eat in front of the TV. A study found that people who eat while watching TV eat more than those who don’t. If they were encouraged to eat everything off their plates, a distraction may make them slip back into that mindset without realizing it.
This eating habit encourages people to eat more and for longer periods. They eat more than they normally would, clearing their plates even if they weren’t hungry.
5. They hide food
Binge eaters can sometimes lose control over their impulses. It can feel embarrassing in the moment. Once they’ve overeaten in front of people too many times, they might start eating in secret. They don’t want people to judge them for how much they eat. It can feel awkward being the only one eating everything on their plate. They might opt out of group meals altogether.
Or, if they were encouraged to eat all their food at home but didn’t, they might try to sneak food up to their room at night. This could be shame-related or fear of getting in trouble.
6. They manage emotions through food
Many of us have responded to our struggles by overeating. Sometimes, food is the most comforting thing on a bad day. If someone were encouraged to eat all their food before leaving the table, they might have found themselves eating during the sad periods of their lives.
We’ve all been forced to eat through problems at some point by our parents. From tantrums as toddlers to anxiety in our teenage years, this can change how we see food in the future.
A study found that often, overeating is tied to negative thoughts. Some may think the best way to overcome these emotions is eating. It’s an unhealthy coping mechanism, but some people have been doing it for so long they don’t notice it’s happening.
7. They view treats as a prize
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I think we were all told at some point that we couldn’t have dessert until we finished everything on our plates. I’m an adult now, but I still have that rule. It has definitely made sweet treats feel like a reward. Like, look at how healthy my dinner was! Now, I can have something full of sugar from the freezer.
This may sound like a bad habit, but it can also be good. Some psychologists believe people who treat themselves have more self-control.
Haley Van Horn is a freelance writer with a master’s degree in Humanities living in Los Angeles. Her focus includes entertainment and lifestyle stories.
