In Musnad Ahmad and other authentic sources, Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “No human ever fills a vessel worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to eat a few morsels to keep his back straight. If he must eat more, then let him reserve one-third for his food, one-third for his drink, and one-third for his breath.” (Narrated by Imam Ahmad, same Hadith is mentioned in Tirmidhi & Ibn Majah with a slight difference in words)

This Hadith offers a clear guideline on portion control, emphasizing moderation in eating. It teaches that overeating is harmful and that the urge of hunger or stomach’s capacity should be adjusted as:

• 1/3^rd for food
• 1/3^rd for water
• 1/3^rd for air (breathing space)

When we compare this to our modern eating habits, it’s clear how far we’ve strayed from this Prophetic advice. Interestingly, this very principle aligns with what modern science now calls caloric restriction or calorie deficit, which is widely recognized as essential for maintaining a healthy weight and metabolic balance.

In essence, the Sunnah diet naturally leads to balanced nutrition — without the need for complex dieting trends.