The food you waste could feed another

I am always hungry. In the past few years, I have grown to love eating. I eat more than anyone in my family. Sometimes, I wake up at night and grab whatever I can get.

My mother taught us growing up to take less food, then if we wanted more we could take again. She tries her utmost not to waste any food. I have been trying to follow in her footsteps, but at times I fail.

Last week, my sister and I decided to dine in a newly opened restaurant at Delma Mall. It was a fast food cafe and the menu was limited. We ordered a burger and a soft drink.

When I got my drink, I thought to myself: when did the beverages get so big? My drink was 18 ounces. I am certain this is twice the capacity of my stomach. The bitter truth was that the company only served two sizes: 18 and 16 ounces.

After taking a few gulps, I couldn't carry on, and I hardly managed to eat the burger. I was complaining to my sister that while some people are dying of hunger, people like us are wasting a lot of food.

Many restaurants in the UAE serve more than necessary, thus forcing diners to leave large amounts behind. Some people take away the leftovers, but many leave them on their plates.

In my family's case, we wrap up the leftovers, and intend to eat them the next day, but mostly, they end up in the bin.

Some people donate their leftovers to the poor, convincing themselves they are doing a great act. I strongly condemn this. Charity is to give the best of what you have, not what is  left over. Why would someone want your leftovers?

Smaller portions would give us the opportunity to control our health and wealth.

I don't understand how some restaurants expect small children to eat such large portions, even from the kids' menu.

The Middle Eastern culture is also to blame, because serving a lot of food to guests is considered a form of hospitality. But this is nothing but a transgression against the blessing of God.

If restaurants serve too much food, there will be more waste.

The UAE has the highest per capita food waste in the world. It is not difficult to tackle this problem. Each of us could simply choose the portion size we want if given the opportunity.

The world has enough food to feed every single person; the food you waste is another person's meal.