SO jumping into healthy diet but super picky!?

kateauch
kateauch Posts: 195 Member
in Motivation and Support
So surprised last night- my BF, who eats like a garbage truck/vacuum, is always tired and feels just plain beat. He asked what I thought it could be that makes him feel so crummy and I told him I think he's got poor nutrition (he drinks a liter of Mt Dew everyday, beer, giant candy bars, meat, more meat and occasionally a potato based food-fries more often than not). Basically he's a crap funnel.

Anyway, he openly admitted he has been trying to be ignorant of his poor diet but can't ignore it anymore. I got him to commit to a two week trial period where I buy our groceries, cook for him and....he'll give up regular soda!!!

****My question for you all is this- for a man who's been living on salt, fat, and sugar for the past 25 years, how can I help him make the gradual but successful shift to a leaner, cleaner diet? He's terrified of lettuce, very picky and already taking a big step so I don't want to just throw quinoa and tofu on his plate. Recipes, advice or stories much appreciated!

Replies

  • Fuzzipeg
    Fuzzipeg Posts: 2,301 Member
    Keep it simple. Encourage him to have meals at better intervals rather than grazing all day, this will rest his system, on its own this could be a battle for him. Use portion control. I assume there is no known reason to give up all flavourings so use them wisely. Perhaps don't dive right into strict calorie restrictions too quickly either.

    This is one lucky person to have someone to help like you.
  • JoanaMHill
    JoanaMHill Posts: 265 Member
    I'd say encourage him by letting him have what he wants in a cleaner form- instead of French fries, give him boiled potatoes with the skin on (there's lots of nutrients in that skin!), give him chicken or turkey instead of a burger or heaping steak. Cutting back a little bit on that soda can do wonders as well. You don't have to make him go cold turkey, but lowering it a bit every once in a while can help put less strain on his system. And if you can help it, use less salt.
  • 0somuchbetter0
    0somuchbetter0 Posts: 1,335 Member
    If he likes meat & potatoes, give him meat & potatoes. Just make them lean meats and boiled or roasted potatoes, with a few vegs thrown in (think potato salad but without the lard sauce). Lots of fruit to satisfy sweet tooth. Smaller portions. Let him have *some* junk or he'll freak out completely -- say a Hershey's kiss instead of a whole candy bar. Also flavored seltzer water for the Mt. Dew DTs. He's a lucky man to let you help him!
  • bf43005
    bf43005 Posts: 287
    Will he eat broccoli? I feel like a good transition to that is melt some low fat cheese on top of it.
    Do some high protein meals to fill him up but make it chicken instead. Maybe do a stir fry with a lot of veggies.
    I think the key will be taste so you might have to do experiments with seasonings. You can get a premade marinade at the store for pretty cheap, they are high in sodium but if you use only the one serving to just give it a little flavor.
    For drinks how about crystal light. The fruit punch tastes like regular fruit punch
    If he just cuts out the beer (if he's drinking that much of it) he will probably feel better and lose weight
  • JoanaMHill
    JoanaMHill Posts: 265 Member
    Oh and sweet potatoes can be a good alternative if he still wants fries. They don't taste the same (I actually don't like them much) but if he has a sweet tooth it could be what you're looking for. And they're packed with good stuff :)

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