Your Eyes Are Bigger than Your Stomach
By Val
@valmnz (17095)
New Zealand
October 4, 2015 1:41pm CST
It seems I've been writing a lot about old fashioned expressions from my childhood, and another one has popped into my mind. I was obviously raised on peculiar sayings.
Anyway, whenever I asked for second helpings, usually not really needing them, my Dad would tell me my eyes were bigger than my stomach.
I am still a bit like that today at times, my eyes looking longingly at delicious food and convincing myself I need more than I really should.
What about you? Do you sometimes long for extras, for food you don't really need? Are your eyes bigger than your stomach?
20 people like this
23 responses
@Rollo1 (16676)
• Boston, Massachusetts
5 Oct 15
They can be. Especially if I am hungry and I think I will need much more than I do. Funny thing is that when I am really hungry, it seems to take less to fill me up but I think it will take more. And I definitely need more of anything chocolate.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
6 Oct 15
often. I find it's hard to take smaller at first because you are so hungry.
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (102698)
• India
5 Oct 15
I love food. I am a born foodie. Having said that, I can't overeat anything except Andhra Pickle and rice and a few snacks out here. But long ago, when I was a kid, dad scolded me when I said I didn't want something because the lady of the house went an extra mile to prepare something else for me. That thing remained in my mind, and so I started doing something reverse. I started appreciating whatever was served on my plate (kids are served right), and groan..lol. What kids can do to be in good books of their parents. lol. Anyway, this too backfired very badly. I am so glad I am a grown up. I can help myself.
@allknowing (153530)
• India
5 Oct 15
That saying seems has a global presence . We say that here too.
I am famous for not going for a second helping.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502541)
• Italy
5 Oct 15
This is a saying we also have in Italy and for sure my brother always had eyes far bigger than his stomach, that it's quite incredible because he is a big man. Sometimes I am guilty of getting an extra service of food that I really love, even if I am already full.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
5 Oct 15
My mother said basically the same thing but used belly instead of stomach.
@NeldaHoxie (1381)
• United States
5 Oct 15
My eyes must be quite large, because I can eat a lot. However, I do overestimate my capacity sometimes.
@GardenGerty (169479)
• United States
5 Oct 15
Yes, my eyes are indeed bigger than my stomach, but my stomach seems to be catching up.
@owstalaga (4825)
• Philippines
5 Oct 15
Haha, we have a saying for that too. We call it takaw tingin, literally translated as "hungry looks," when your eyes see all the food and you take more than you can eat only to find out you can never eat all of it. 
My mom called me out on it when I was young because I would do it several times. Good thing I've learned to not do that anymore. Otherwise I'd hate to waste all the food on my plate if I can't do take outs.
My mom called me out on it when I was young because I would do it several times. Good thing I've learned to not do that anymore. Otherwise I'd hate to waste all the food on my plate if I can't do take outs.
@Sheilamarie78 (2586)
• Canada
5 Oct 15
Unfortunately, yes. I'm trying to be more realistic and to only choose what I need.
