The Clean Plate Club started out as a useful tool to reduce food waste but in the modern day it’s more of a danger than an aid. If you’re looking to turn in your membership, we’ve got some great tips.
As a kid, my parents congratulated my brother and me when we finished all the food our plates.
It was adorable when we asked for seconds. If we had food left on our plates and we said we were full, we were told to take one more bite.
My mom always insisted that we become members of the Clean Plate Club.
What is the Clean Plate Club?
The Clean Plate Club was actually a propaganda campaign that began i 1917 during food shortages and regulation around WWI.
Basically, there was a limited amount of food available so people were encourages to “clean their plates” to reduce waste. Historically, it made sense. You were never sure when your next meal would come, so finish the one you had.
The problem is, years later into a time when food was no longer a commodity that was in danger the clean plate club is still a problem.
Why is the Clean Plate Club bad?
It’s not bad perse. It’s just used improerly and encourages overeating and food problems. Kids are encouraged or worse, forced, to clear their plates and rewarded when they do so.
This creates multiple issues.
- Children are unable to listen to their own hunger cues.
- Children begin to associate meal times with over eating.
- Stress can occur around mealtimes, making them miserable for all involved. Read more about Dinner Battles here.
Long story short, by forcing children to eat all of their food every meal, we are teaching them NOT to listen to their bodies. This can cause issues later on in life with overeating and possibly obesity.
How to “Quit” the Clean Plate Club?
Okay so you’ve found yourself in the trap but want to stop. What to do? We’ve got some tips.
For your kids:
The thought is pretty simple. Stop asking your kids to clear their plate before leaving the table! Focus on meal times as family time rather than “eating” time.
Set clear rules from the beginning around what they can and cannot do at the table and when they can leave.
At our house, the only rules are that I make only one meal and that they do not HAVE to eat, but they have to sit and be kind people.
For yourself:
It can be harder to stop clearing your plate regardless of hunger cues if you’ve been taught your whole life to do so. Here are some tips that might help.
- Listen to your body!! Stop when you are full.
- Remove restrictive rules. Snack when you’re hungry, Indulge in small meals if you’re not super hungry. The traditional meal and snack times need not apply.
- Serve smaller portions and go for seconds as needed.
- Drink more water! We often confuse hunger with thirst.
Removing yourself and your family from the habit of clearing your plate might not be simple, but in the long run it will pay off.
Either way, I’m shredding my gold membership card.
Are you a member of the Clean Plate Club? Do you have the Curse of the Clean Plate Club? Let me know in the comments!
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy says
My parents contributed to my weight problems in many ways, but thankfully CPC was not one of them. In fact, I just threw away almost an entire batch of brownies. They were just ok, but I kept eating a half here & there & thinking they’re ok. But who needs just ok? So I finally threw the majority out.
I don’t like waste, but I don’t need it on my waist, either.
Great post!
Morgan says
Go you! Sweet are by FAR my biggest down fall. I will pick at “okay” snacks all day until it’s gone.
[email protected] says
I have struggled with this too all of my life. In fact, my TOL post today is all about my very long struggle with bulimia and emotional eating. Sometimes I eat everything and other times I don’t. It’s all a matter of just taking your time with it and not being too hard on yourself. Unfortunately when it comes to issues with food we can’t avoid it, because we all need to eat to live. So many people struggle with this.
Morgan says
It’s definitely rough. I commend you so much for being so open and working past your struggles. I really believe food issues, illnessess and addictions are the absolute worse because, like you said, it’s something we all need to live.
jill conyers says
Hi Morgan from a new reader. I think people are a member of this club without realizing how much it affects their eating. My kids are not members of this club.
Have an awesome Thursday!
Morgan says
So glad you stopped by , Jill! I agree, I think it’s a lot more common than some may think. I think we as parents need to be extra cautious in teaching our children to listen to their bodies and stop when they are full!
[email protected] says
My parents cursed me too! I am also a card carrying member of the clean plate club, and let me tell you, it is harder to cancel your membership there than with some fancy gym! I totally still struggle with it daily. Solidarity friend!
Morgan says
#thestruggleisreal!!!!! Sometimes I will “ruin” food on my plate if I’m out or something – hot sauce, water, or too much salt on top so that I don’t pick. I’m only a little ashamed to admit this.
Tiff @ Love, Sweat, & Beers says
Good for you! I’m a member of the clean plate club, which is so silly because there’s always enough to save. I like leftovers, so why do I have to finish it all if I’m getting full???? Ugh, mind games. The problem is now that I often finish Ethan’s food too. Yikes!
Morgan says
I know, right? If I think I could make a whole other meal out of my leftovers, I am usually more incluned to save it, but if I “decide” that it would need a side or something more to make it a “meal” I’ll justify it and be like, oh, well, I guess I’ll just eat it! I pick at my son’s tray too – it’s not pretty.
Tammy says
My situation was slightly different than yours, but has left lasting impressions just the same. My mom was a very picky eater. She felt that her children should be too, I guess? My sister and I were never exposed to vegetables (other than can corn & green beans) and so many things that she thought were “yucky”! And before you say anything, I know that canned corn isn’t really a veggie…lol! I have fought my way back and raised my children to love and actually crave a good salad! We know so much more now, just keep fighting the good fight!!! Great post!
Morgan says
That’s definitely rough. My husband wasn;t raised by picky eaters, but he was raised by parents that encouraged or allowed picky eating. It’s a real pain because he’s so stubborn about it, but go you for working past your pickiness and not letting it rub off on your kids! And, hey, I consider canned corn a veggie – sometimes it’s the best you can do!!!
Anastasia says
Finishing everything on mine (and my daughters!) plate (or the entire pan of cookies) is something I struggle with as well. I can’t ever remember my mom making me clean my plate, but we did grow up very poor so maybe that had some sort of effect somewhere along the line.
But good for you for breaking that cycle with your son. You’re setting him up for a really healthy relationship with food which is wonderful!
Morgan says
It’s definitely rough! I find myself picking at my son’s tray a lot more than I’d like. I think the mindless eating is one if the toughest things for me to overcome.
Jamie says
Great post. I think it’s interesting to reflect back on childhood and see how it correlates to adult eating habits. Not only did my parents encourage clean plate club, but there were many nights cereal was enough, or instead of making an easy dinner (think eggs) my mom would drive me to get a DQ blizzard… for dinner… While I know she was doing her best and did not intentionally mean anything by doing so, it really confused me on what was and was not appropriate to eat. It took me a really long time to figure out what proper nutrition is.
Amy @ Elephant Eats says
My parents never told me to finish what was on my plate, but instead both ate quickly and always took seconds (plus then looked around for dessert after) and so I’ve unfortunately developed similar habits. I think body issues have factored into this as well. Luckily as of a few years ago, I just started to intuitively eat til I was full. Occassionally I will overeat still, and I always feel horrible after. I’m SO with you on making a conscious effort to keep my kid(s) from having food issues. I definitely don’t even want them to feel like they have to finish what’s on their plate! Love this post 🙂
Morgan says
It’s really eye opening to hear about how many people’s parent’s habits have rubbed off and affected their children later in life. Go you for learning to eat intuitively. I find it very difficult, though I’m trying harder lately!!!!!
Emily says
Hmm… My parents never strictly enforced a clean plate. I’m thankful for that, and I think my bad/disordered eating habits came from my own ‘obsessiveness’ and desire to fit in with others.
Heather @ Run Eat Play says
I find myself doing this to my kids once in awhile mostly because they don’t want to eat they rather go play! When they say they’re done, I ask them if they’re full. If they say yes, then they’re done whether they have food left or not. But it drives me crazy because an hour later they’re suddenly starving and want another whole meal!
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
My parents always wanted me to clean my plate for the same reasons. It was always a battle, so once i was able to decide how much to eat on my own I didn’t always finish my meals. But now that I cook for myself I sometimes feel like I should be clearing my plate. However, I also also ok with stopping when I am full. Leftovers are always a plus too!
Erica says
I was a member of the clean plate club as well. i have not struggled with my weight until this past year. i moved north to Alaska. The winters are dark and cold. i packed in the carbs and sugars. Now that it is getting lighter out i am trying to shed the 20lbs i put on this winter.
Thanks for linking up at FTAF
Erica