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The Clean Plate Club
Why Your Family Shouldn't Join
By Kelly Burgess
Although the Food Administration was terminated after WWI, the idea of a clean plate as virtuous persisted. Then came the Depression and World War II, so food rationing and shortages remained a national issue.
"One poll showed that 69 percent of Americans will still clean their plate regardless of how much is on it," says Matthews. "So what was originally introduced as an incentive for Americans to conserve food and eat less has become an unhealthy habit. To top it off, when you eat whether you're hungry or not the body learns to shut off that hunger message and it becomes very easy to overeat."
This is particularly damaging with children who are still shaping their food habits and preferences. "Trying to force your kids to eat anything, whether it's healthy or not, sets up a situation where they don't trust their caregiver," says Matthews. "Food is supposed to be a nurturing experience beginning when our mothers Want to see more?
