Is it normal to not finish your food?

Is it normal to not finish your food? Seriously, I used to stress about this all the time! My grandma, bless her heart, always told me to clean my plate. Like, every single crumb. It was a thing. So, for years, I felt weirdly guilty leaving food, even if I was stuffed. You know that feeling? Like you’re being wasteful or something?

But no, it’s totally, absolutely, 100% normal to not finish everything. In fact, it’s probably better for you! Think about it: feeling full is your body’s way of saying, “Okay, I’m good! Thanks for the fuel!” Why would you ignore that? Just because there’s food left? I remember this one time, I went to this all-you-can-eat sushi place with my friends. Ambitious, right? I piled my plate high, thinking I could conquer it all. Big mistake. I felt so sick afterward because I forced myself to eat everything, even when I was bursting. Lesson learned.

Honestly, listening to your body is key. If you’re satisfied, stop eating! Don’t force yourself just because of some weird, societal pressure (or your grandma!). Overeating leads to discomfort, weight gain… you know the drill. It’s so much better to have some leftovers than to feel miserable. Right?