How to eat healthy in an unhealthy household?

phoenix26z

I found it quite easy to eat a healthy diet when I was living on my own. I didn't keep unhealthy food in my apartment. If I wanted junk food, I ate it outside of the house. Now, I'm living with my family again and there are constant temptations from various cakes and pies to any sort of junk you can think of. Whenever vegetables or rice is cooked, there is so much salt and butter in it or dripping with oil... I can afford a handful of meals a week... but anytime I start eating this food, I pick up weight so quickly.

Has anyone else ever had this happen? What did you do?

dinosaurparty

Is there any way you could help out a littke in the kitchen? If you're carrying some of the weight, it'll be easier to make or suggest changes. They don't have to change their diets at all, but you can still put healthy food on the table - just put the salt and butter beside it instead of cooking with it.

Other than that, maybe focus on a cardio routine to earn some extra calories?

PinkPixiexox

I understand the struggle of this!

When I lived at home with my mum, I couldn't resist the food she bought. Cookies, cakes, biscuits, snacks for my 12 year old sister - it was so tempting. I also didn't have the willpower back then that I have now so every day ended with me saying "I'll start again tomorrow!". Of course, 'tomorrow' rarely came..

Now I've got an apartment with my boyfriend, I am in control of the shopping which helps enormously. I generally don't buy cakes and treats so my boyfriend is technically on a healthy eating plan too! I'm not sure how he feels about the healthy dinners I cook but it's helped my drop 30lbs!

My advice to you is - do your own grocery shopping and set aside your own 'compartment' in the fridge for your food. Allow yourself some of the 'treats' your family buy but in moderation - moderation is key here. You may find that your family are actually encouraged by your healthy food purchases and start following your example.

It really is going to be a case of finding that willpower. I really do wish you the best of luck. You can do it!

999tigger

Can you cook for yourself? Just get a small pan and ask them to put some of the item in there or put some aside so you dont have to have the extra salt or butter?

The temptation aspect? You could ask them to put things aside or stored away but as its their house, then you have to take responsibility and be able to control what you eat. Maybe prelog and pre preapre some of your food.

Maybe just buy extra ingredients that are more healthy so you can supplement whatever you are being cooked with the food you wnat i.e vegetables, oats, cottage cheese or whatever it is you want.

Portion control is always your fallback on calorie dense foods. Maube do some chores or get a pt job for extra cash with which to buy groceries?

pinkgumdrop123

When I lived at home I had this exact same problem. Like others suggested, I would buy a few things and make my own dishes or I would find ways to make what my mother cooked a lot healthier. I reserved a section of the fridge and pantry for my own food items.

dubird

Make sure you weigh everything so you get smaller portions? Yeah, you'll get some funny looks, but just because something isn't made with what you consider healthy doesn't mean you can't have some. Get your own snacks to keep in your room or make it clear to the family that those are for you since you're buying them, that way if you want a snack, you have something better to snack on. If they complain, just explain that you want to lose weight for yourself, but you don't want to make them feel like they need to change their eating habits too. They can eat what they want, you just need to make these changes for yourself. If you really want to stop an argument, tell them you're following what your doctor says. Kinda hard to argue with that!

Also, offer to cook from time to time. Introduce your family to good healthier recipes and maybe they'll start eating better too.

snowflake930

dubird wrote: »

Also, offer to cook from time to time. Introduce your family to good healthier recipes and maybe they'll start eating better too.

^^This. Your family may thank you.

The nicest birthday card I ever got from my husband was 2 years ago (40 years married this month, so that is a lot of birthday cards).
"Thank you for cooking healthier and saving me from becoming diabetic". He was diagnosed 10 months before as borderline diabetic. His numbers have been normal since.

Best of luck to you!

ldrosophila

Take out the black and white mindset of food that will help. Food can not be healthy or sickly. Offer to cook meals. Portion control, portion control, portion control. It's your best friend. If you cant resist the temptation ask your family to put the sweets away . And finally continue to be grateful that you have a roof over your head, a nice bed, and hot meals.