I am on my way home after being at a work conference for five days. The conference was held at a hotel and all food was catered at a hotel. While I've gone to restaurants a few times with friends since surgery this was my first time being away from my kitchen and independently managing, cooking, and weighing my food for such a long period of time.

A couple of things jumped out and just seemed so disconnected from what I am now accustomed to

Huge plates. I mean huge. People filling their plates. I could not eat what I served myself that maybe took up 1/6th of the plate.

10 different selections. Two to three proteins, 2 veg, 2 salads and 2-3 starches not including the desert table. All of the selections pulling for someone to fill that plate. Not to mention the huge soup bowls with two ladles of soup.

The experience was so shocking and jarring. It was hard to believe I ate that much at one point, went back for seconds and I as hungry 2 hours later

This felt like a milestone. Like my interest in food was gone. And I was able to manage myself to the correct portions and foods.

I have this experience too. My TINY aunt can put away this ENORMOUS salad...