Clearing the plate is a common rule for generations of children who want to leave the table.
But now experts suggest the simple mantra could be fueling Britain’s obesity crisis by encouraging children to overeat.
Nearly four in ten (37 percent) parents say they usually let their children eat everything in front of them.
And around half (48 percent) let their children have a second helping at least once a week, a YouGov survey of 1,065 mothers and fathers found.
Nearly one in four (23 percent) insist that their children eat everything they are served, often relying on their own portion estimation when serving.
The British Nutrition Foundation (BNF), behind the research, warns that this could lead to children eating too much.
NHS data shows that almost one in ten children attending primary school are obese, rising to 22 percent by the time they reach secondary school.
A growing body of research shows that this puts them on a path to poor health by increasing the risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and other obesity-related problems in adulthood.
Nearly four in ten (37 percent) parents say they typically let their children eat everything in front of them (file image)
Yet one in ten parents with children between the ages of five and eleven give the same portions as themselves, while only eight percent of all parents say they use guidelines or portion tables as an aid.
Snacking between meals is also widespread, with 88 percent saying their children eat between meals at least once a week, while 38 percent have them daily.
Half of parents say they judge portion sizes based on the amount their children usually eat, while 16 percent let their children serve themselves.
But fewer than two in ten eat pudding every day, the research found.
The charity encourages parents to ‘eat in moderation’ and think about how much they feed their little ones.
Bridget Benelam, nutrition communications manager for the BNF, said: ‘Research has shown that large portions of food encourage both adults and children to eat more, so correct portion sizes are an important part of a balanced diet that supports a healthy body weight. .’
She said parents should aim to provide portion sizes that reflect their body size and calorie needs, adding: ‘One way to get an idea of proportions is to compare yours and your child’s hands.
‘For example, for baked potatoes we recommend a potato that is about the size of a fist, which will be larger for an adult, smaller for a younger child.
“When in doubt, start small and offer a second helping if your child is still hungry.”