Days ago, it was all in the news that UN [United Nations] mentioned that there are around 1 billion people all over the world who are suffering from hunger. It is neither a joke nor an announcement to the public just to inform...
I'm sure we are aware of our surroundings that there are beggars in the streets, financially challenged people who struggle everyday to survive. It's just that we ignore or we don't seem to care. Yes, me and my family work for a living but not just for food alone...I admit, there are times I ignore this issue because I don't feel what's it like to work so hard not for buying luxuries or material things but just to eat. And that is the effect to the rest of us who are financially capable [if not really filthy rich], we tend to be complacent and not thinking of other people but ourselves.
What makes this issue of hunger worse are the people who don't care and at the same time, who don't eat wisely or properly. I admit again, I used to buy food before in big servings or get food filling up the plate in parties and end up not finishing them up. But years ago, when I had a heartache that caused me to eat one meal a day only [yes, you read it "one meal" only] for months, that became the turning point for me to learn the value of food. When I got back to my normal eating routine [breakfast-snack-lunch-snack-dinner], it isn't just about filling up my stomach but realizing that I have to give my best not to waste whatever food is placed on my plate. Having food trips with family or friends as past time, I feel bad when I so much leftovers going on with the plates/food packages in restos or fastfood chains. It's not because I wanna eat them all up but because I know there are a lot of people getting really hungry everyday --- hungry because they can't afford to buy even a piece of bread. Those leftovers couldn't have been leftovers but rather have ended up being shared to the rest of the world. And the hungry wouldn't end up eating leftovers but rather healthy and fresh meals. Plus, it isn't easy to keep going and working if a person skips a meal. Been there, felt that -- I used to skip meals during my high school and college days just to finish an assignment or project and I ended up being acidic and diagnosed with gastritis [which I have in me for life...].
Actually, there are ways how to end up with less leftovers of food...They may not bring out big results but collaborated little efforts per person could contribute soon with the hunger situation the world is going through at the moment...Let me share just a few of those...
1. Plan what you want to eat -- There are those who make abrupt decisions on what to eat. The result: They can't finish up the food or they are forced to finish it until they end up with the vomit feeling.
** Before falling in line to order or before calling a waiter to take the order, plan first what meal you can finish up then decide which is your crave to eat. In short, don't order by impulse.
2. Eat in groups -- This is if you'll be eating out with friends. Instead of ordering individual meals / plates, order a "to-share" or a meal good for how many persons. You don't just lessen the chances of leftovers but you also spend less. Just make sure to ask first the resto's meals if they're good for how many persons.
3. Take out what's left -- Ok, I know some wouldn't appreciate this tip, but really, this might help. Of course, this will be based on your judgment. Take note of two considerations: if there was so much left on the plates and if they wouldn't spoil easily even if you take them home.
** If you're in a resto, you can ask the waiter to have the food wrapped for take out while asking for your bill to pay. If you're in a fast food chain, simply ask for a plastic or container at the counter.
NOTE: Do this if you're with your family and friends or if you're with someone comfortable. Of course, don't do it on special functions or events you're attending.
4. Know your eating ritual or habit -- In this way, you would know how much you should eat per meal. Honestly, this was one of the things I did that changed a few of my eating rituals. I'm not saying this for you guys to be on diet. I'm NOT ON A DIET =)
** Try to observe how much you eat per meal for a week. If you end up having leftovers often for that entire week, try to lessen your servings week after week. If writing it down would help, then do so.
NOTE: Again, this is not to make you guys stop eating but to lessen leftovers, meaning you will end up finishing up your food without ending up vomiting.
5. Learn to say "NO" -- As simple as it is...
If somebody offers you food even if you're full, don't hesitate to say NO...It's more shameful if you end up biting from a big piece of bread or only consuming a spoonful from an entire plate, just because you don't want the one who offered to feel bad...We can say some negative things in an honest yet positive tone, if we would want to.
Well, my intention of posting this is not for you guys to feel bad or pity while eating. The purpose is to make each one of us realize that hunger isn't a petty problem. It increases each year. Let's not wait for the future generations to experience this at its worst. I'm sure each government all over the world is putting its best efforts to minimize this, but in our little ways we should realize and work as one than just aware-then-ignore. For now, we only have one world, so let's utilize our need -- FOOD -- properly.
