What is the principle of Hara Hachi Bu regarding meal consumption?

Eating until one is 80% full

Hara Hachi Bu is a foundational principle in Japanese wellness philosophy that dictates mindful eating by instructing individuals to stop consuming food when they feel approximately 80% full. This practice focuses on relying on internal body cues signaling satisfaction rather than pushing to a point of physical discomfort or complete satiety. By stopping before feeling uncomfortably stuffed, individuals naturally manage caloric intake without conscious deprivation. This method is supported structurally by serving meals in numerous small dishes, which makes recognizing the feeling of moderate satisfaction easier to achieve compared to finishing a single, large plate presentation.