More Cookies???!!! (Need help dealing with parents)

she_elf

I really just need to rant for a few seconds so bear with me...
My dad bought 4 boxes of Girl Scout cookies on Monday--which is cool; support the Girl Scouts (I used to peddle cookies, too). But one of those boxes is gone already (I haven't had any, and I don't think my mom has had any). And my dad just came home with 5 more boxes!!

My dad is, clearly, not choosing to even ATTEMPT a healthier lifestyle (he's been at least 50-100 pounds overweight my entire life, and it's just getting worse). This, itself, really bugs me--but that's a whole other can of worms. But spending probably nearly $40-50 dollars on cookies??? That's ridiculous!

I've been begging my parents to get healthier food since I started on this site and started seeing what was actually going into my body. We have next to zero food in the house that I can feel good about eating. We've got green tea, and maybe one or two fruits or veggies, but not nearly enough to actually live off of. My parents keep using the excuse "it's too expensive to get healthy food!". Like $40 for COOKIES isn't expensive?? That could have bought so much healthy food! But they just won't hear it.

I'm so frustrated. If this were a month ago, I would have just gone out and bought my own groceries. But I lost my job recently (cutbacks ), and simply can't afford to use my money for healthier food when I have classes and gas to get to classes to pay for, and a study abroad that I've been waiting for for almost 5 years now to save for. I've tried talking to my parents about it. My dad just doesn't listen--he clearly just doesn't care about living healthier. My mom tries to eat healthier, but she just doesn't understand what it really means (or knows, but just is in denial).

Does anyone have any suggestions?? I've been staying under my calorie goal, but going over on things like fat, sugar, and sodium. I hope to get a job soon so that I can, little by little, stock up on my own food; but right now I feel really powerless and out of control.

alecta337

Now I want cookies =[

ashleighk2010

Maybe you could cook more? I don't know if you do cook often, but it might help. It's a trick I used to use when I lived at home. Make a meal (as healthy as possibly, but don't advertise that!!) and when everyone is all full and feels nice offer to cook again- just mention a few ingredients that would be helpful.

Gradually that should give you some creative freedoms. =] Once they see that the food you're making is yummy you'll have them hooked. I just wouldn't push it too much flat out.

cmbneeley

i had the same problem. then i moved out and went to college.

MommaToFour

You're probably not going to like my answer...but I am just gonna give it to you honestly.

I've been married for almost 18 years to a man that has no desire to eat healthy. He is a junk food junkie! I have temptations in my home all day everyday! I am a SAHM so all those unhealthy foods he chooses are inside my cupboards every time I open them. Here is the secret to my success. It all boils down to one thing....SELF CONTROL! If you want this weight loss bad enough then you are the only one that can make it happen. I have no support in my home when it comes to healthy eating, sounds like you don't either. You have to over come those obstacles all by yourself. Probably not the answer you are looking for but probably the answer you already knew. You are in control of you! You can only be responsible for you. Bottom line is you have to decide to not touch the unhealthy food that resides in front of your face. Sure does make the goal harder to reach when all that temptation is right there in front of your face....I know that...I live that. I've given up refined sugars and white flours for months at a time. Once you get past the first two weeks it really is easy sailing.

Decide you want it bad enough and pass up the junk food as you reach for the health food! Want it bad enough!!! You can do it!

TOYGRRRL

Maybe you could cook more? I don't know if you do cook often, but it might help. It's a trick I used to use when I lived at home. Make a meal (as healthy as possibly, but don't advertise that!!) and when everyone is all full and feels nice offer to cook again- just mention a few ingredients that would be helpful.

Gradually that should give you some creative freedoms. =] Once they see that the food you're making is yummy you'll have them hooked. I just wouldn't push it too much flat out.

This is an incredibly great suggestion. Exactly what I thought about as I read the original post. Once I read this reply I felt there was no reason to repeat it in my own words. Good Luck with your parents!

123456654321

I feel bad for your situation but the only great advice I can give you is to start that job hunting asap. Maybe even get a little part time job at the local grocery store (that way you get some discounts too xD.) Cause honestly, being an adult, living rent free and bringing in zero income to speak of.....you really don't have much of a say in the matter.

That said you can always sit down with the more rational of the two and explain how important this is to you. Maybe Google some tips on "how to eat healthy on a budget" and see if there is some kind of compromise you can come up with? I don't think you should push the healthy eating on them too much or else you will just sound preachy and could possibly just end up hurting their feelings.

123456654321

Hmmm I just thought of something else. If they are really OK with supporting you financially during this time period, maybe you could sit down with them and figure out how much they would normally spend on you and see if they are willing to give you that amount in cash (like an allowance) ....That way you could just do your shopping separately? *shrug* ...just a thought.

I need to proofread before I post. rawr.

UneJolieFemme

Offer them to take care of the grocery shopping I know lots of people who hate it... or maybe tag along so you can make healthier suggestions ? I don't know, my dad is the same, loves his junk food and I don't think he will ever change :ohwell:

she_elf

Thank you guys so much for all the good suggestions and support. I will definitely try cooking more to try to convince my parents of the deliciousness of healthy food.

@mommatofour--I really appreciate your honest answer. I am already trying to make the healthiest choices I possibly can, but even the healthiest choices here aren't always that good. (I'm also trying to fight the 20 year junk-food habit I grew up on).

I'm definitely working on the job hunting, it'll be nice to have gas money (and grocery money!) again.

Again, thanks for all the support. I haven't been on the site very long, and wasn't really expecting any replies. I really appreciate all the suggestions you guys have come up with.