Confessions of a Food Nazi (bit long)

ArchyJill

Oh dear...I always feared I was a Food Nazi and now I have proof. "Little" brother (at 32 he is two years younger) has lost his job and is staying with us. How long? Who knows...if he goes back to college it could be years, otherwise maybe shorter. Only been a week. Went grocery shopping today. He is SO sensitive about costing us money, etc. he is shy to tell me what he would like to eat. When he finally speaks up I FREAK OUT because he wants total crap: Eggos, "maple syrup", ramen noodles, Fruity Pebbles....brace yourselves...HOT DOGS. I am ill with the thought.

He is horribly thin (also horribly out of shape) so he feels like he can eat whatever and what does it matter. I don't know what to do! He's right, it does seem to be the case that he can eat this crapola and not balloon out. But that doesn't make it healthy...and why pay for that &#%!&#$???

Anyhow...advice? Only been a week and he is rather sensitive being newly unemployed and all and having to live with big sister. Do I just buy the crap and figure his mental health is more important than his physical well-being?

Do not want to be the Food Nazi :sad:

becomingsara

Oh dear...I always feared I was a Food Nazi and now I have proof. "Little" brother (at 32 he is two years younger) has lost his job and is staying with us. How long? Who knows...if he goes back to college it could be years, otherwise maybe shorter. Only been a week. Went grocery shopping today. He is SO sensitive about costing us money, etc. he is shy to tell me what he would like to eat. When he finally speaks up I FREAK OUT because he wants total crap: Eggos, "maple syrup", ramen noodles, Fruity Pebbles....brace yourselves...HOT DOGS. I am ill with the thought.

He is horribly thin (also horribly out of shape) so he feels like he can eat whatever and what does it matter. I don't know what to do! He's right, it does seem to be the case that he can eat this crapola and not balloon out. But that doesn't make it healthy...and why pay for that &#%!&#$???

Anyhow...advice? Only been a week and he is rather sensitive being newly unemployed and all and having to live with big sister. Do I just buy the crap and figure his mental health is more important than his physical well-being?

Do not want to be the Food Nazi :sad:

I am trying to transition my still young family to make healthy food choices, and I do this: What if you got the healthful versions of those foods...like kashi blueberry waffles instead of eggos, the cup o soup found in natural food stores (less sodium and no msg and fillers), as well they have healthy 'sweet' cereals... and what about all natural franks in lieu of hot dogs? I know they have the ones without nitrates right in walmart...

That way you are passively teaching him that caring for his health is important to you, and he doesn't feel in bondage either and stay away from you guys cause he cant get the food he wants...IMO...

katschy

Agree with Sara - maybe give in on a couple of things that aren't too bad (for the mental health aspect), but get him healthier versions of others. Get the best ramen noodles so he can have a comfort snack - the good ones taste great with a cup of frozen chopped veggies tossed in Tell him that you don't want junk in your house because you eat healthy, and that you're not being strict just to show him who's boss, or for the sake of being a "food Nazi".

Food Nazis are, to my way of thinking, the people who get hysterical about perfectly healthy foods (vegans who lecture about someone choosing to eat meat, for instance). You're just looking out for yourself and your brother. He may not be thrilled with it, but he'll be healthier for it

ArchyJill

Thanks to you both. Don't know why I didn't think of subbing in healthier choices (e.g. Kashi waffles), and it's only been a week so there is still time to gradually introduce better choices. Really appreciate the help...with all the upheavals around here (wow, did we get used to a 2 person household!), the food thing freaked me out. Definitely made me aware of how (quietly) supportive hubby has been.

jodie_t

Is it possible part the reason he's asking for the cr*p because it's cheap?

ArchyJill

Is it possible part the reason he's asking for the cr*p because it's cheap?

Yeah, I suspect that is some of it. It's also what he is used to eating I think.