There’s a little place in Japan that have the most octogenarian’s (80–89 year olds) in the world.
They also happen to average out at the lowest BMI as well. Most notably, they are the only population in the world who practice self imposed calorie restriction.
They do this by practicing a technique they call, “Hara hachi bun”, which means to eat until you are 80% full. Have you ever felt an urge to “clean your plate”?
Have you ever grabbed for seconds even though your stomach couldn’t take anymore? Maybe it’s time you practice “Hara hachi bun”.
Since we were children we were told to clean our plate. This habit served us back then and helped us grow … vertically.
The weird thing is, as adults we have to learn to let go of this mindset. We have to learn to leave a little on the plate when we’re feeling 80.
Over a period of time this habit will cause your waistline to shrink and you may even feel a bit better day to day because you’re not stuffing yourself to the brim. It’s a great habit to prevent growing “horizontally”.
So be okay with leaving food on the plate if you’re feeling full.
You’re not saving the starving kids in Africa by eating until your stomach bursts.
What you are doing is trimming your waistline and improving your overall health. Hara hachi bun my friend.
Eat until 80.
Originally published at www.dango.blog.