Cook less for each portion size. Keep yogurt, salad and fruits to make up for any calorie deficit.

Good job recognizing this. My husband struggled with this as well due to childhood food insecurity and house rules growing up. He had to sort of re-program himself that it was good to leave some food on the plate and that food waste is better than damaging his body by eating more than he needs. If you feel guilty about throwing food away, learn to freeze things or make notes in your recipes to make less next time.

My husband takes leftovers into work for his lunch.

You are probably also cooking too much food. If someone is still hungry in our house after eating a meal, then they can eat a piece of fruit or cheese, have a handful of nuts or a slice of toast. We are all on the skinny side eating this way.

Anonymous wrote:The food is just as “wasted” if you’re eating it when you don’t need nutrition and it’s harming your health. In that case, it’s better off in the trash. You eating it is not “using” it.

+1

I also think that the "no food waste" is just an excuse to pick on the kids food. If you really don't believe in wasting the food then you could and would put it in Tupperware and eat it later. Not stuff yourself over eating it in the moment as you clean off their plates.

Why not try that. Put is in the fridge for later and see if you really go back to eat it.