"Be honest"
/ˈɑːnɪst/
It's possible that the person who said "be honest" before eating their meal was using a figure of speech or a cultural expression that has a specific meaning in their community or social circle. However, in general, the phrase "be honest" is often used to encourage someone to be truthful or sincere in their actions or words.
In the context of eating a meal, saying "be honest" could mean that the person wants to enjoy their food without any guilt or shame. They might be reminding themselves to be truthful about their feelings towards the food, whether they genuinely enjoy it or not, without feeling pressured to conform to social expectations or norms.
Alternatively, saying "be honest" before eating a meal could be a way of expressing gratitude for the food and acknowledging that one is fortunate to have it. In this case, the person might be reminding themselves to be mindful and appreciative of the nourishment that the meal provides.
In either case, the phrase "be honest" before eating a meal suggests a desire to approach the act of eating with mindfulness, authenticity, and sincerity.
Ultimately, the specific meaning of "be honest" in this context will depend on the individual and the cultural or social norms that they are operating within.