My mother would always say this phrase, “Hara Hachi Bun Me.”
It means Eat until you are 80% Full .
Whether it was in the context of the latest diet craze or an attempt to curb the ravenous appetites of us kids, she would say it often over the years.
When I was ten and lived in Tokyo, I had a habit of devouring two Teriyaki Burgers from McDonald’s on our Sunday outing.
McDonald’s creates fantastic burgers in Japan. Every time I go back I still make a visit. TO this day I don’t know how they managed to create such an amazing combination of burgers, teriyaki sauce, and a squirt of mayo.
Nevertheless, like the young pup that I was, I always ate too much too quickly, and I often found myself at the public bathroom barfing it all back out.
At which point my mother would sigh, much like she did to our young dogs, and tell me “Don’t Eat so much so quickly. “Hara Hachi Bun Me.”
However, this phrase goes beyond my mother’s words when discussing the latest diet trends or trying to prevent her son from creating a Teriyaki mess. It represents a principle and a cultural practice that advocates for mindful eating and moderation in food consumption.
The concept behind Hara Hachi Bu is to encourage people to stop eating when they are no longer hungry but before they reach the point of feeling completely full. It is believed that practicing this can help individuals maintain a healthier body weight and reduce the risk of overeating, obesity, and related health issues.
It goes beyond just about; it’s about moderating other aspects of our lives. We all have our vices, whether they involve social media, money, or seeking attention. We often find ourselves wanting more, but perhaps we should learn to appreciate what life brings when we impose limitations on ourselves.
So when I’m stressed or excited, I like to ask myself what am I over indulging? Can I show restraint in the face of temptation?
I like to reflect on this famous story when I find myself desiring more in life:
The late novelist Kurt Vonnegut once told his friend, Joseph Heller, that their host, a hedge fund manager, had made more money in a single day than Heller had earned from his wildly popular novel Catch-22 throughout its entire history.
When asked what he thought of that, Heller responded,
“Yes, but I have something he will never have… enough.”
