We've all heard it growing up:
“Don’t waste food.”
“There are starving children in other countries.”
“Clean your plate.”
These messages stick with us. And for many of us, they shape how we interact with food long after childhood and through our entire lives. We push past fullness. We finish leftovers we didn’t love the first time. We nibble at cold fries or over cooked chicken, not because we want them, but because they’re there—and throwing them away feels… wrong.
But here’s the mindset shift:
Food you’re not enjoying is already wasted.
Whether it goes in the trash or you force yourself to eat it, if it's not satisfying you or serving you in some way—it’s still a loss. One is a waste in the garbage. The other is a waste in your body. When it’s a waste either way, choose the garbage!!
This comes up a lot when I work with moms—especially the habit of “cleaning up” after their kids by finishing bites off their plate. It’s often so automatic. You’re tidying up, they’ve left half a sandwich or a few uneaten nuggets, and instead of scraping them into the trash, they end up in your mouth.
But I’ll never forget one mom who looked at me and said, “Oh, no way do I do that. My kid is constantly sick from daycare—I don’t need the germs she’s carrying in her food!”
We both laughed, but she made a great point. Sometimes, we need that outside perspective to help us pause and ask: Why am I doing this? Is it out of hunger? Enjoyment? Or habit and guilt?
Let’s pause here:
Does throwing away food fix world hunger?
No. Unfortunately, it doesn't.
And finishing a meal you’re not enjoying doesn’t help anyone either—not those in need, and not you.
Instead of guilt, let’s bring in awareness and intention.
Here’s what that could look like:
- Notice when you're reaching for something just because it's there.
- Ask yourself if you're actually enjoying it.
- Give yourself permission to stop eating when you've had enough or when it’s not satisfying—even if there’s still food left.
- Use that moment as a learning opportunity: How can I prevent this waste next time? (Smaller portions, better planning, freezing extras, etc.)
This isn’t about being wasteful. It’s about letting go of the idea that your worth is tied to an empty plate—or that finishing something you’re not loving somehow “makes it better.”
Because you matter more than a few leftover bites.
And when you start giving yourself permission to eat what feels good—and stop when it doesn’t—you’re not just changing your habits.
You’re changing your relationship with food.
You’re building trust with yourself.
You’re making space for more joy, more peace, and more freedom in your choices.
That’s not wasteful. That’s powerful. YOU GOT THIS!
