Cooking for a family

JessicaThompson12

elaiesay2 wrote: »

Thanks again all. I guess I just need better control and portion measurement at dinner time.

I'm a grazer while prepping and cleaning up so what helps me to stop putting a bite or there in is to chew gum while prepping and right after while I'm cleaning up.

Apud85

We do a lot of meat on the grill. While my husband is grilling the meat, I'll usually throw together a salad or some sauteed vegetables and make wild rice or quinoa as our side. We don't get fancy during the week. Keep your meals as simple as possible. Also, I try to use our slow cooker often, which really cuts down on my time in the evenings.

jgnatca

elaiesay2 wrote: »

... I find I'm eating my portion, plus what the kids didn't eat, plus the burned bits I can scrape out of the pan. I kinda degenerate at dinner.

Good insight. Here's something I do when I'm cooking which puts a stop to the grazing. I fill the sink with soapy water, and dip my dirty dishes in to it right away. Soapy scrapings don't taste nearly as good.

And oh yeah, hubby is in charge of packaging the leftovers.

And oh yeah, I'm always cooking too much for two. So if it is slow cooker night I call my daughter and ask if she wants my spare dinner? She's still puzzled by this because she can't imagine why we can't eat it but really; one stew would take us months to finish off. I give it away instead.

elaiesay2

Part of my problem is that I'm home all day, and indiscriminate munching happens. But on days when I've been good, I usually have enough calories left to have a sensible dinner. Putting sauces that might go over pasta or rice over spinach instead is an excellent idea, and I've thought maybe I should start eating a few sticks of celery and big glass of water somewhere around 4 or 5. There's usually just enough left overs for the husband to take to work the next day, and getting him to do the dishes would be a dream. Maybe I'll work on that. He can clean up and I'll take the kids upstairs. I LOVE the slow cooker. And really, I just have to practice portion control. One serving, maybe even half a serving, and that's it. My issue isn't really about time, or prepping, or planning. It's what I put in my mouth. The family (social) dinner is my downfall. I did good with dinner tonight. (But I didn't do good the rest of the day). So, I'll keep at this. Thanks all.

Lounmoun

I generally have a snack like a piece of fruit or carrots around 4pm. It helps.

chelsmaee7

I had an issue with this at first. It's my fiancé, my 7 year old son and me and are all picky in different ways so it's hard to make things everyone will like. We grill often and usually I will eat whatever meat is grilled or sometimes I'll have chicken instead if it's not a lean meat. I also make vegetables to go with it and if others will eat it, great but if not then that's too bad for them. If we aren't grilling then I will make something and my son and I will eat it but of its something my fiancé doesn't want then he's more than capable of making his own food.

Some times it's easy to find ways to modify what is for dinner that make it a little healthier for me like I no longer put cheese on my burgers, I found whole wheat buns and chicken brats for when my son really wants his favorite food which is hot dogs. They both love pizza so sometimes they will get a pizza and I will only have one piece and have a healthy side or I'll just make my own dinner.

Annr

Sadly I wish I could make one dinner and satisfy myself, my husband and my 16 yr old. What I tell people is that the Navy killed my Retired Chief's taste buds. I am completely content with a some grilled chicken, whole wheat pasta, and some grilled veggies in there. My son has always been a picky eater, and economically it doesn't make sense to me to fix a meal that I know he won't eat. I normally fix their's and then fix my own. Sometimes I fix mine and say "wait I will get to you two!" I don't do this all the time mind you. I would say 4 meals are together, and 3 meals are "fix your own" nights. The important thing is we have sit down meals and I make them spill all their deep darkest secrets...hahaha...

Unknown

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ArkMom35

We are a family of six. I make one meal for everyone and then weigh out my portions. I may have more or less of something depending on calories. I'm trying to teach my children better eating habits, so this works for us. Though there are days that I'll just have salad or a frozen dinner instead.

jessica22222

My hubby and kids are picky *****. Dunno if it's genetic or something went wrong with them.. we'll all eat for example healthy chicken breast cooked low cal, then I'll have a veggie dish and I'll just make extra (they never really eat it anyway) so I can have extra helpings of veg rather than the other side of rice,pasta type of thing. I know it can be hard with different palates. We all eat the same thing with exception to them wanting something bad. Then I'll just have a bit of the bad so I'm not deprived then make a little something else for myself.