September 8, 2025

Ever felt like your plate magically empties while your stomach protests? You’re not alone! Many of us finish food just because it’s there, not because we’re full. But guess what? Japan has a spicy secret that keeps people trim and healthy. Fitness guru Lars Meidell spilled the beans on the famous Japanese eating rule called ‘Hara Hachi Bu.’ In his lively Instagram post on September 7, he said, “Do you feel like restaurants are making you fat? Well, it’s time to learn a Japanese eating rule called Hara Hachi Bu. The idea is simple eat until you’re about 80% full, then stop. No calorie counting, no tracking macros. Just pause halfway through your meal and ask yourself: Am I still hungry, or am I just eating because the food is in front of me? Think about how many times you’ve cleaned your plate for that very reason.” Intriguing, right? Why is this rule a game-changer? Lars explains that slowing down is the magic trick. Eating slowly lets your body release leptin — a hormone that tells you when you’re full. So you feel satisfied faster and stop eating more. Plus, the Japanese have kept this wisdom alive for centuries to beat overeating and belly fat! He also warns against fried foods like fries and heavy carbs such as bread that sneakily pile on extra weight. “It’s not restaurants that ruin your fat loss, it’s your eating habits in general. You don’t need to obsess over calories or restrict yourself so much that you can’t even enjoy a meal with your family. But if you’re a busy, high-performing man without food awareness, fat loss becomes almost impossible,” Lars says. So the next time you sit down to eat, try the Hara Hachi Bu rule: stop at 80% full, enjoy every bite slowly, and tune in to what your body really needs. No complicated math, no stress — just smart eating, the Japanese way!

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Tags: Hara hachi bu, Japanese eating rule, Fitness tips, Weight loss, Healthy eating, Body awareness,