Living healthier with your spouse in mind

jacob_423

So I'm really trying to move in a healthier direction in my life. I love to eat healthy food...as in fresh food. I like vegetables and fruit as much or more than i like junk food. Don't get me wrong I love me some junk food and fast food, but when i eat fruits and veggies not only do I feel better phisicaly, I feel better mentally because there is no guilt afterwards. Both my wife and I are heavier than we would like to be, and than we should be. The problem is that its very easy for me to go healthier, but wife doesn't like anywhere near as many vegetables and fruits as i do. Its realy hard to try and plan meals and buy groceries (on a budget) while trying to satisfy too different diets. Does anyone have good recipes, ideas, advice for healthier living with a picky spouse in mind? Also, any advice for incorporating exercise for both of us?

fallenoaks50

Same situation here. My spouse has no interest in vegetables at all, and I usually eat a vegetarian diet. We just cook our own meals. We cook and eat at the same time so that we still spend meal times together, but we eat different things. Works for us.

MysteriousMerlin

Ha! Do I! My husband's palate is as diverse as a 4 year old's :huh:

I do research for myself (as I'm diabetic and hypertensive), and I share my findings with him. I have to start slowly. To get him to eat brocolli, I cut it into very small pieces and added it to spaghetti sauce. He couldn't taste it in there. Now he'll eat it as a side dish.

Try finding other ways to prepare the item. I personally don't care for fried shrimp, but I like it grilled. I have one rule too: You have to try it. You don't have to eat it all, but you can't refuse to try it.

Kids (when I have them) will eat what I fix or won't eat.

mrsjones2point0

Since you eat a wider variety than she does, start with what she will eat. And then slowly introduce new things to her.

The more you start eating healthier food, the more of them you will start to like them - first you have to become accustom to the taste of real foods not laced in chemicals, sodium, and fat. Her palette will adjust a little (don't expect miracles). But slowly start encorporating new things, she will adjust

kateanne27

My husband eats what I make, or makes his own. He is good about trying new things too. When I met him it was all burgers and chips.

If I make something healthy and he likes it, it goes in the regular rotation. we also try for healthier versions of what he likes, turkey burgers, grilled chicken, quinoa stir fries instead of chinese take out. He likes grilled veggies better than other ways of cooking it. There are lots of healthier recipes for unhealthy foods out there. Pinterest is a good resource.

twixlepennie

So I'm really trying to move in a healthier direction in my life. I love to eat healthy food...as in fresh food. I like vegetables and fruit as much or more than i like junk food. Don't get me wrong I love me some junk food and fast food, but when i eat fruits and veggies not only do I feel better phisicaly, I feel better mentally because there is no guilt afterwards. Both my wife and I are heavier than we would like to be, and than we should be. The problem is that its very easy for me to go healthier, but wife doesn't like anywhere near as many vegetables and fruits as i do. Its realy hard to try and plan meals and buy groceries (on a budget) while trying to satisfy too different diets. Does anyone have good recipes, ideas, advice for healthier living with a picky spouse in mind? Also, any advice for incorporating exercise for both of us?

I had to do this whole thing because I was heading towards diabetes. My husband had no interest in joining in, even though he was a bit overweight and had high cholesterol. So, I focused on me, made separate meals (I ate totally different foods/meals than my family most times). I had to get creative with our grocery budget (which is $90 a week, for a family of 5), but I made it work. Then this crazy thing happened-my husband became interested in better health/losing weight, after he saw me doing it. I never, ever brought up his weight/health, just led by example. Fast forward to now- I'm in maintenance and my husband has lost over 20lbs and has normal cholesterol numbers now

grimendale

HungryGirl.com has a lot of recipes that are low calorie and higher vegetable content, but taste more like junk food. It's been a good compromise with my fiance that has helped me stay on track.