Not wasting food on your plate - Indian custom gone wrong

Here is another low-hanging fruit for bolstering your diet - if food is left on your plate after you are done - THROW IT AWAY! NEVER, EVER, EVER eat food because it will go waste.

This problem of not wasting food on the plate is especially prevalent among Indians, who consider it a cultural taboo to waste food, which is considered equivalent to insulting God. But the problem is by overeating you ARE insulting life itself, not to mention doing harm to yourself and your surroundings. The custom itself came from a time, when food was not as available as it is right now, atleast for many of us. So it is a more stronger version of "saving for the rainy day". But if you are on a diet, you KNOW you are trying to lose the rainy day reserves, so it makes no sense to eat the excess food.

If there is food wasted on your plate, remember you are the one you have taken more than you require. So deal with the problem by judging the quantities correctly in future, and not by stuffing yourself.

A special mention is required for social occasions in the Indian context, where the host is serving food. The host is EXPECTED to over-serve, lest the guest is feeling shy. Such scenarios need the guest to be culturally sensitive and handle the situation tactfully. If it is a once-in-a-blue-moon thing, just accept it. If it is more frequent, do inform the host politely but firmly that although you appreciate their hospitality, you do not want extra food on your plate.