Lesson: You'll waste food. Don't beat yourself up

[MaybeMeow 129]

Just throwing this out (pun intended) as it was something I really grappled with. I waste food now. And I was raised not to so it's been hard. But the bottom line is I've had to come to terms with it and let it be "no big deal". My work is the kind that often provides "Meals" as part of it's meetings etc. Which is lovely. No complaining here. But I have found that nearly every single time I end up throwing away more than half the meal. And quickly so people don't notice. I've tried to "save" it in a doggy bag for the next day and/or bring it home for the family. But the truth is... day-old Protein doesn't go down as well. Often too dry. And neither my hubs or the kiddo are eager for my leftovers.

So I've found myself hiding the food under a napkin until it is removed for me or I can sneak to a trash can. I used to feel this weight of guilt with the waste. Of course I order the smallest option offered. I did attempt in the beginning out of necessity eating my cottage cheese and tomatoes out of a tupperware during these meetings. It felt like a SPOTLIGHT ON MY DIET. But I did it until I could eat most foods. But now... I order like everyone else. And toss.

So, I guess my whole point of this post is to say... the moment I decided I wasn't going to beat myself up for the wasted food was the moment I felt a cloud pass that had been hanging over me for a while. It's a part of my journey. And if it's a part of yours too I'd like to encourage you to give yourself permission to not stress about it. As the months pass I find it happens less and less. That's a good thing. But I'm no longer worried about it. People don't talk about this much so I wanted to share. ONWARD!

[chunkarella 59]

I feel that. I've always been told to not waste food and to clean my plate (cue lifelong issues with food and feeling guilty) and since i was bypassed, I have to be okay with stopping and leaving food on my plate. When I make food, I put it on a paper plate and let my dog eat the rest (no complaints from her)

It's weird because i sometimes have to tell myself, outloud, to stop eating and that i can always have it tomorrow.

[Uomograsso 364]

That is one of the things I still deal with. Prior to the whole pandemic I worked remotely, so meals at work were not a thing for me. Big thing I had to learn, sometimes the hard way, was when I was feeling full there is no more room for another couple of bites of food or even one more bite. Eating that one more bite led to painful consequences. Not the same thing as your experience, but I think we have all felt something like it.

[billho 243]

I still need to learn how to get out the right portions. Even now, I scoop out the smallest amount I think is reasonable (a fraction of what I used to), and I still can only eat a few bites. My dog has learned to stay by my side when I am eating because it is a good chance she's going to get a nice snack.

[Blueslily 94]

I'm preparing for surgery. I live alone so food portion has been a challenge. I can eat as much as I want. I like to cook in bulk because i don't like cooking every day. With having a pouch, I plan to use my small glass containers for storing food. Cook smaller amounts. Divide it out based on ounces in each container to use for a few days. I'm ok with eating leftovers. Just have to see what my new pouch will like and not like.