My problem

mirandaclark717

I think I've figured out my problem. I don't know how to fix it, but maybe it's a start.
I grew up where healthy food was not a priority. Cooking was not a daily thing. Actually, if mom cooked a meal it was a big deal--it was someone's birthday or someone really really wanted a certain dish. Mainly though, it was fend for yourself. Lots of microwave meals, sandwiches, easy quick grab-n-go stuff. Homemade meals weren't healthy. I didn't know it was a thing to have a salad with dinner. Every dinner? People do that?
My grandma cooked. We visited them for lunch every other Sunday and I'd help her cook. Thought I was hot stuff if I made the drinks or set the table. My grandparents garden, they can their own veggies. Before I was born they had livestock. But I didn't grow up with this stuff. Sunday dinners were a big deal. So cooking is a chore, something only to be done on occasion right?
I don't blame anyone. We did what worked. I do blame myself for not realizing this wasn't normal sooner. I live on fast food, carb-filled snacks, freezer meals. I hate cooking. I'm incredibly picky. And I'm afraid I'm going to pass this mindset down to my daughter. I cook now, but it's mostly junk food. Fried. Sweets. I'm trying to do better, and cook less greasy junk.
She is my motivation, and playing with her is my motivation, living longer… But I'm really noticing that convenience please a huge role in what I fix for dinner each night. It's a lot harder than I ever thought it would be, and I feel like I am doing something wrong for it to feel like that.

Whitezombiegirl

Glad youve identified this. My mum taught me to cook healthy meals of all kinds. Its stuck with all us kids and we've never been overweight. Its the best. You may even grow to love it!

Abbie918

Crockpot meals. Prepping in advance. There are lots of easy ways to make healthy meals more convenient. Find simple recipes with healthy, fresh ingredients. I can make a healthy meal in less than half an hour usually, so it doesn't have to be a big production.

Don't keep sweets in your house, and you won't be tempted to eat them all the time!

cbihatt

I hate to cook, so I know how you feel. If convenience is the main factor for you, keep things simple. You don't have to make elaborate home cooked meals every night. In fact, you don't have to cook every night. Take a few nights off. Eat leftovers, have someone else cook, or go out to eat. My family tends to eat frozen pizza at least once a week when I just don't feel like cooking.

When you do cook, focus on meals that take 30 minutes or less to prepare. Take some of those things that you find convenient and incorporate them into the meals you make. For example, buy some chicken that is already cooked, but add your own homemade side dishes. Use veggies that are pre-cut. Have your meat cut up at the meat counter instead of doing it yourself. (Most grocery stores will do this for free.) Some people swear by slow cooker meals because you just dump everything in and it cooks itself. Anything that you cook in one dish is a huge time saver (think casseroles and soups).

As far as being picky goes, don't force yourself to eat things you hate, but keep in mind that tastebuds do change over time. Try some new foods or foods you haven't had in years. Try preparing them in different ways, or in different dishes. For example, when I was a kid I hated pork chops. It wasn't until I got married that I realized it wasn't the pork I hated...it was the way my mother made it (because she always cooks it with sauerkraut).

ElizabethAN2017

Ditto what the others said. You can also get cookbooks (or recipes online) that have a minimum number of ingredients and are rated by ease. You might find that helpful when you prepare meals. I can relate somewhat to your situation, except my mum worked when I came home from school and wasn't home until long after I was asleep, so my brother and I were on our own, and we didn't prepare much. Maybe do some simple recipes (age appropriate) that your daughter can help you with. I know my son enjoyed/enjoys helping me. Take care

SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage

I love that you've come to this conclusion. It just solidifies the idea that habits instilled early in life are critical.

Convenience = slow cooker or pressure cooker. There are websites out there (Six Sisters is a good one) that have recipes for frozen slow cooker meals. You spend a day making a whole bunch of difference recipes, put the in ziplocks in the freezer, and pull one out in the morning, chuck it in the crockpot and come home to a home cooked meal.

Get your kids to help you prepare things like salads and veggies, and talk with them about healthy choices. You may even find you start to enjoy cooking

If there are days when you just can't get it together and you eat out, don't be too hard on yourself. Eating better isn't about being perfect all the time.

JeromeBarry1

My household is also a "mom doesn't cook" place. My experience in life has taught me that the effort you put into overcoming your upbringing will benefit your household.

BABetter1

Repeating, simple is best. One of my go to meals is turkey breast cutlets sautéed in a bit of olive oil, seasoned however you like. They cook up quickly, and they are tasty. On the side, salad or some steamed veg (my family loves broccoli florets), and lightly seasoned rice, quinoa, or baked sweet potato (you can bake them in the microwave in 5- 10 minutes depending on size). It really is that fast, easy, inexpensive, HEALTHY, and delicious!

42firm03

I think it's awesome that you've recognized where you are starting from and how you'd like to change.

I'd start with simple stuff that appeals to you, that you can master. I'm a big fan of one pot meals. They tend to be easy to make and work for more than one meal. They also allow veggies to be "snuck" into dinner:)

ponycyndi

I grew up in a family much like yours. Hamburger helper, canned soup, and cold cut sandwiches were the majority of our diet.

I love watching cooking how-to videos, and became obsessed with making things from scratch. Now that I have kids of my own, I've learned to tone it down and make simple meals that are quick.

I also have to think of ways to add more veggies. Frozen dinner? Great. Add a bag of steamed veggies (also in the freezer aisle) bam. Healthy meal. I'm not a big salad eater either, never did understand the salad with every dinner. I just make sure something green is in it.

janjunie

JeromeBarry1 wrote: »

My household is also a "mom doesn't cook" place. My experience in life has taught me that the effort you put into overcoming your upbringing will benefit your household.

Yup, this. OP I grew up the same way, possibly even worse when it came to a parent who didn't cook. Except I didn't visit with my grandparents as often. I want better for my kids, so I really just suck it up. I have learned to cook a bit on my own. Reading through blogs, watching YouTube videos and Instagram posts have been really helpful. My food will never win an award, but it's much healthier and has way more variety than anything I was ever fed as a kid.

geneticsteacher

I grew up cooking, but we all have those days where it is really an effort. I aim for a happy medium - eat out/carry out only once every 1-2 weeks, at least one night a week almost-sorta-kinda healthy convenience foods.

One of my "Mom doesn't feel like cooking" staples is either Morningstar Farms Chik patties (kids actually love these) or Trident Seafood Panko breaded tilapia, served with mini tater tots (one serving = 170 calories = 19 tots, and yes, I count mine), and a canned vegetable, usually drained green beans sauteed with olive oil and garlic.

Another is store-bought rotisserie chicken (I don't eat this as I don't like chicken), Uncle Ben's ready rice, and a frozen veg.

Not the healthiest meals in the world, but not horrible either.

BABetter1

Another tip: Make a large amount of your main course (one you like enough to eat 2 nights in a row) so you can have leftovers, and just add fresh sides the next day. You're still cooking as an example to your child, but you're not overwhelmed with the entire meal every single night. It's great for a busy week.

One of my favorite sides is fresh green beans, when in season. Just a little oil in a sautee pan, throw in the green beans when its hot, just a little salt and pepper, splash with liquid aminos (or soy sauce), sprinkle with minced garlic (use the kind already minced in the little jar for convenience), and gently stir fry to your desired doneness. I like mine to stay fairly firm. It makes my friends and family look at me like I'm crazy when they watch me make it, and then they look at me like I'm a genius when they taste it. Don't like green beans? You can do the same thing with broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, etc.

mistress8956

I can compleatly relate to what your sayin!! Grew up on hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, chips, Mac and cheese, steakums ect ect. Needless to say most of my family was morbidly obese, with a few tall and skinny's thrown in the mix for good measure lol I was truly SHOCKED when I first got my food scale a few years ago and actually started looking at portion size/weight. I of course knew what calories were but why would I ever look at those things?! I've been doing mfp for over 2 years ( on and off again) and it's still a daily struggle because well I like food lol but maybe try pre planning/ prepping your food that way your less apt to make a bad choice based on hunger or convince. Recognizing the issue is a huge first step. Good luck