The Eating Habit Depression-Era Parents Passed On — And How It Backfired On Boomers

Due to circumstances largely beyond their control, the Silent Generation became a huge proponent of The Clean Plate Club. One of the biggest reasons was that they grew up during The Great Depression and internalized the idea that a filling meal wasn't guaranteed. Moreover, the Silent Generation was also subjected to a lot of World War 1 messaging, which encouraged them to only buy the amount of food they could clean off their plate and always remember soldiers were starving at war. All these circumstances didn't just affect the Silent Generation's eating habits, but also those of baby boomers and younger generations, as each generation passed down the idea that cleaning your plate was a necessity. Eventually, it became an outdated boomer diet cliche that millennials absolutely couldn't stand. 

Research has indicated that this mindset may not be conducive to overall well-being. A 2022 paper published in The Journals of Gerontology analyzing health data of people aged 51 and older found that baby boomers were more likely to develop chronic health conditions at a younger age than their predecessors. Overall, baby boomers of all ages had more chronic health conditions than the previous generations. Additionally, they were more likely to develop obesity. The authors notably believed that the findings could partially be explained by childhood socioeconomic conditions and childhood health factors. 

Meanwhile, a 1999 study published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing found that obese adults were more likely to have grown up in households with rigid food rules. One of the most common food rules that these adults remember having to follow was "Clean your plate." 

Speaking to Self Magazine, Alissa Rumsey, R.D., explained why following the "clean your plate" mentality didn't foster a healthy relationship with food. "Cleaning your plate sets you up for using external cues as opposed to internal cues for figuring out what's an appropriate amount of food for you," she explained. "If you're used to feeling like you have to clean your plate, on a subconscious level, you might ignore those internal cues that you're full." 

Moreover, in a chat with Parents Magazine, Lara Zibarras, PhD, a psychologist and eating disorder recovery coach, explained that our hunger levels fluctuated on a day-to-day basis due to a number of factors, and by repeatedly clearing our plates daily without a second thought, we essentially ignored these factors. She also noted that children who were made to regularly clean their plates could develop anxiety around food and potentially even eating disorders. Additionally, there are plenty of things that happen to our bodies when we always eat until we're full, and most of it isn't healthy. 

However, once people learn what mindful eating is, the desire to use the "clean plate method" might be reduced. A 2014 analysis published in the International Journal of Obesity showed that you're likely to consume 92% of the food you put on your plate. So, it's good to gauge your hunger levels before you reach for food. According to Psychology Today, it may be helpful to intentionally leave a few bites of food and gauge how your body feels afterward. Lastly, remember that having leftovers is always a bonus, and you can always grab more food later if need be.