What do you feed your families?

mmsilvia

I love having my kids help out in the kitchen, less work for me and they have fun too!

Agree with this. Love cooking with my hubby & son. My son loves to help in the kitchen.

pixelish

Just a general word of advice for those of you with young children...prepare one healthy evening meal for the family and they will eat it. If they choose not to, then they will just be hungry. Kids get with the program very quickly when there are no other options! Do this for your kids' good health...and your sanity!

do you cook foods that you don't like but your kids do? why do kids not get any choices? I don't eat mushrooms but my kids do. I'm certainly not going to force myself to eat them. I like brussel sprouts, they don't. Why should they be forced to eat something they don't like. I fail to see how making a pb&j for a kid that doesn't like the meal takes so much effort.

I think there are important lessons in providing one meal. One - something has been provided to them, they should be grateful for the gift of someone preparing a meal and learn to handle their disappointment about food respectfully; they won't always be eating dinner at my table, after all. Two - new foods take time for tastes to acquire and change; some kids have to taste something more than a dozen times before they will consider it palatable. Three - in order to balance their nutrition, my time, and our grocery budget, sometimes it IS important to finish the veggies, even if it isn't their favorite food. Four - learning to tolerate uncomfortable situations with grace is an important life skill; if I jump to 'fix' everything that my children find distasteful, I do them no favors for when they are adults and faced with situations over which they have no control.

I don't purposefully serve things my kids don't like, but there are nights when dinner won't be their favorite. There are also nights when dinner isn't my favorite, either, because I'm following the desires of the other members of the family for the evening. That's how communal living works best, in my opinion.

BAMFMeredith

I make the same thing for all of us with a few exceptions. If I'm eating something spicy, I make an alternative for my 5 year old (he does NOT handle spicy food well), or if there is something that I know he does not like (cauliflower comes to mind--he can't stand it), then I have an option for him. But generally speaking, we all eat the same thing!

I ain't got time to make a million different things lol

4thehardman

My children love things like thai fish curry and spanish tapas. They eat well and healthily.
As for what I feed my husband I refer to the advice my Grandmother gave me on my wedding Day.
'' Treat men like mushrooms, keep them in the dark and feed them S**t!!''

jenbusick

Just a general word of advice for those of you with young children...prepare one healthy evening meal for the family and they will eat it. If they choose not to, then they will just be hungry. Kids get with the program very quickly when there are no other options! Do this for your kids' good health...and your sanity!

do you cook foods that you don't like but your kids do? why do kids not get any choices? I don't eat mushrooms but my kids do. I'm certainly not going to force myself to eat them. I like brussel sprouts, they don't. Why should they be forced to eat something they don't like. I fail to see how making a pb&j for a kid that doesn't like the meal takes so much effort.

I think there's a difference between "making a separate meal" and letting each person decide what they will and will not eat of the things that are placed on the table. If there's something there that they will eat, and something else that they won't, well, let them eat what they will and skip what they won't. I love asparagus. No one else in the household eats it. So when I make asparagus, I serve some to my kids (put it on their plates), but I don't say anything when they don't touch it. With my little one who has decided she doesn't like spaghetti sauce, she still eats spaghetti; she just eats it without the sauce (she puts butter and parmesan on hers). I just try to make sure that there's something each person can eat on the table, and not worry about what each one won't eat. My kids don't like chicken-fried steak (a treat for me and my husband. Portion control is key!). But if I make chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes, and a green salad, they'll eat the potatoes and the salad. Not eating protein at one meal won't kill them.

MommyLyssa

I have three kids- 6, 4, and 2years. They eat what I make or not at all There is NO way I am cooking different foods. Sorry. My oldest has a very harsh aversion to summer squash, so I dont make it too often, and when I do, he eats one piece, and then is allowed to grab some raw veggie from the fridge. that and the rare shrimp night, he can pick out the shrimp. Other than that, my kids eat what I make.

leeann0517

Just a general word of advice for those of you with young children...prepare one healthy evening meal for the family and they will eat it. If they choose not to, then they will just be hungry. Kids get with the program very quickly when there are no other options! Do this for your kids' good health...and your sanity!

do you cook foods that you don't like but your kids do? why do kids not get any choices? I don't eat mushrooms but my kids do. I'm certainly not going to force myself to eat them. I like brussel sprouts, they don't. Why should they be forced to eat something they don't like. I fail to see how making a pb&j for a kid that doesn't like the meal takes so much effort.

Because it's a waste of time, effort and money for you.
If they are given a choice of what you've made, or a pb&j sandwich every night then what nutrition and vitamins are they getting? What are you instilling in your child as far as respecting your parent, and being thankful of what is being made for them? You spent the time preparing a list, looking at flyers, working hard for the money to buy the food, spending time at the store, planning a meal, preparing and cleaning up...and you're OK with them saying, 'I don't like your food, I want another choice'?! Kids aren't programmed to allow themselves to starve. They'll eat around the brussel sprouts, or mushrooms. I have three (almost four) kids, and they all eat what they are served; Chicken curry, pizza, entree salads, asparagus, broccoli, steak, tomatoes...whatever!

that doesn't answer the question - do you make things that you don't like but your kids do and then force yourself to eat them? For the record, my kids are 18 (off at college), 16 and 13. They make their own meals most of the time. I buy the healthy food, along with some junk, and they cook what they want for themselves unless I specifically make something. Seems to work for us and they're all healthy and have no weight issues. but yes, I'm fine with them saying 'I don't like pork tenderloin' and then making themselves a pb&j. Not to mention my daughter is a vegetarian so if I make a meat entree clearly she needs something else.

also, not sure where you got the every night from.

HelloSweetie4

I live in an unusual family. It's my husband and I with my uncle and his teenage daughter. We alternate cooking nights and we all eat the same thing together. I try to be adventerous with what we make and change things up. My uncle is a creature of habit and tends to make the same things, but will try whatever we make. He isn't a fan of veggies, but he's told us to make them anyway because he will make himself try it. We've actually broadened his food horizon a lot since we all moved in together (he even likes quinoa now!). We all have a similar goal to lose weight, but the guys still like their meat and potatoes.

jenbusick

I think there are important lessons in providing one meal. One - something has been provided to them, they should be grateful for the gift of someone preparing a meal and learn to handle their disappointment about food respectfully....

I don't purposefully serve things my kids don't like, but there are nights when dinner won't be their favorite. There are also nights when dinner isn't my favorite, either, because I'm following the desires of the other members of the family for the evening. That's how communal living works best, in my opinion.

This. Well said. My kids went through a phase when they would come to the table and immediately start whining. "Do we HAVE to eat THAT? Ew!"

I told them that it is extremely rude, when they did not plan for, shop for, pay for or prepare the food, for them to complain when they haven't even SAT DOWN yet, and that I expect better. I am not going to force them to eat food they find revolting, but I do expect them to be polite when someone else has gone to a lot of work and trouble to fulfill one of their basic needs. They are much better about it now. We all sit down at the table, we eat what we want, we leave what we don't want, and if they don't like something they can politely keep their mouths shut in every sense of the phrase!

Meaganandcheese

We all eat the same because I am not the Olive Garden

LOL! I was picky as a kid and my mom used to say exactly this when I wanted something different!

leeann0517

I think there are important lessons in providing one meal. One - something has been provided to them, they should be grateful for the gift of someone preparing a meal and learn to handle their disappointment about food respectfully....

I don't purposefully serve things my kids don't like, but there are nights when dinner won't be their favorite. There are also nights when dinner isn't my favorite, either, because I'm following the desires of the other members of the family for the evening. That's how communal living works best, in my opinion.

This. Well said. My kids went through a phase when they would come to the table and immediately start whining. "Do we HAVE to eat THAT? Ew!"

I told them that it is extremely rude, when they did not plan for, shop for, pay for or prepare the food, for them to complain when they haven't even SAT DOWN yet, and that I expect better. I am not going to force them to eat food they find revolting, but I do expect them to be polite when someone else has gone to a lot of work and trouble to fulfill one of their basic needs. They are much better about it now. We all sit down at the table, we eat what we want, we leave what we don't want, and if they don't like something they can politely keep their mouths shut in every sense of the phrase!

being polite and choking down something you don't like are 2 different things. it's no different than going to a party and being offered something you don't like - you just say no thank you. I don't put food on my plate that I don't like and I don't expect anyone else to be forced to do that. I guess at Thanksgiving dinner I should have forced my neighbor to eat the stuffing, after all I paid for it and cooked it and she should have been thankful for that.

jenbusick

that doesn't answer the question - do you make things that you don't like but your kids do and then force yourself to eat them?

I will make things that my kids like better than I do -- there are some dishes that are faves for them but not for me and my spouse. They're in the rotation. We eat them. (fettucini alfredo with chili-parmesan chicken tenders is one; chicken crescent squares is another).

I do draw the line at frozen fish sticks/chicken strips and Kraft mac-n-cheese. On the nights I make those for my kids, I eat a sandwich. So, a little of both. Sometimes I make what they like and it's a family meal, sometimes I make things they like that I will. Not. Touch. They get their turn on Cheesesteak night, when spouse and I yum it up on cheesesteaks and our grossed-out kids make sandwiches on their own :happy:

0622cameron

Bump

Jenjaz1910

From day dot I've fed my girls the same as me, everything in moderation is my belief! Luckily my girls will eat practically anything! They love cOoking with me esp trying out new recipes! Tonight tho they had Turkey escalopes with rice and peas I had fish instead, if we're having pizza it's a hOme cooked one with salad and a small portion of wedges or chips x

spacecase76

my kids eat what I eat.

ETA: my kids do get a say in what we eat sometime. For example, my 4-year old loves "long noodles" (spaghetti) and we eat it at least once a week - made with 97% fat free ground turkey, and whole wheat pasta. It really isn't that bad of a meal, assuming you watch your portion sizes. My 12 year old hates mushrooms. She has the option of picking them out, but I am still going to cook with them.

tropaze

I only cook one meal. If you don't eat it, you eat at the next one. That's how I was raised and that's how I am. I try to cook healthy most of the time, but I do also cook some things that they like (I just have to keep that in mind when I'm working out/eating earlier in the day). I also keep a certain amount of other things in the house for them, I'm on a diet not them. If they ate less healthy I might feel the need to enforce it on them, but they eat a lot of fruits and veggies on their own.

Meaganandcheese

I think kids (and husbands) should have input on what is being served, and also that kids should try new things. I dread having the toddler who will only eat chicken nuggets ... mostly because I was that kid, and it's been a challenge to learn to try/like new (green) things. If the kid doesn't like brussel sprouts, fine - everyone has different tastes. Maybe they get broccoli or more salad instead that night. There is a difference between force-feeding a child something they've tried and dislike and exposing them to different and nutritious options. I at least want them to try.

jenbusick

being polite and choking down something you don't like are 2 different things. it's no different than going to a party and being offered something you don't like - you just say no thank you. I don't put food on my plate that I don't like and I don't expect anyone else to be forced to do that. I guess at Thanksgiving dinner I should have forced my neighbor to eat the stuffing, after all I paid for it and cooked it and she should have been thankful for that.

I agree that there's a difference between being polite and choking down something you don't like. I don't expect my children to eat things they find revolting. Or my husband, who, for example, will not get within five miles of a green bean and will not allow an onion anywhere on his plate. As I have said many times, "I'm not going to poke it down you!" There will be something on the table that they can eat. The rest they can be polite about.

leeann0517

that doesn't answer the question - do you make things that you don't like but your kids do and then force yourself to eat them?

I will make things that my kids like better than I do -- there are some dishes that are faves for them but not for me and my spouse. They're in the rotation. We eat them. (fettucini alfredo with chili-parmesan chicken tenders is one; chicken crescent squares is another).

I do draw the line at frozen fish sticks/chicken strips and Kraft mac-n-cheese. On the nights I make those for my kids, I eat a sandwich. So, a little of both. Sometimes I make what they like and it's a family meal, sometimes I make things they like that I will. Not. Touch. They get their turn on Cheesesteak night, when spouse and I yum it up on cheesesteaks and our grossed-out kids make sandwiches on their own :happy:

so you do pretty much what I do. some things everyone eats and some things only 1 person eats. So mainly I want to hear from the people who make their kids eat when they've cooked. Do they cook things they don't like and then eat them?

nursenikki829

My kids and hubby eat whatever I make, because I want to teach them healthy eating habits at a young age. I was raised in a junk food household, so I want to instill healthier habits into my children. I do make small modifications in some areas i.e My hubby and I love to replace pasta with spaghetti squash, but my kids don't care for it, so I make a little whole wheat pasta for them instead. Otherwise, if they don't eat what I have made for dinner, breakfast will taste even better in the morning.

MissAmyB80

I think there are important lessons in providing one meal. One - something has been provided to them, they should be grateful for the gift of someone preparing a meal and learn to handle their disappointment about food respectfully....

I don't purposefully serve things my kids don't like, but there are nights when dinner won't be their favorite. There are also nights when dinner isn't my favorite, either, because I'm following the desires of the other members of the family for the evening. That's how communal living works best, in my opinion.

This. Well said. My kids went through a phase when they would come to the table and immediately start whining. "Do we HAVE to eat THAT? Ew!"

I told them that it is extremely rude, when they did not plan for, shop for, pay for or prepare the food, for them to complain when they haven't even SAT DOWN yet, and that I expect better. I am not going to force them to eat food they find revolting, but I do expect them to be polite when someone else has gone to a lot of work and trouble to fulfill one of their basic needs. They are much better about it now. We all sit down at the table, we eat what we want, we leave what we don't want, and if they don't like something they can politely keep their mouths shut in every sense of the phrase!

THIS. My 7 year old is VERY complimentary - even sometimes when I can tell she doesn't quite like something I prepared. Because I explained to her that I worked hard to make dinner - and I always make it with love. And she respects that. I love that she is grateful now and maybe teaching her this same thing taught her that life lesson. The few times she has criticized in the past I explained that it hurt my feelings because it was something I had made....like if she painted a picture or made me a necklace.

ishallnotwant

I like to let my kids help plan the meals with me, from making the shopping list (even before they could spell they would draw pictures of what we needed or sound out the words, they love making shopping lists) to going grocery shopping together, picking out nice produce and learning how to tell which item is cheaper by the ounce or what cut of meat is a better value, to putting the food away, helping keep the pantry/freezers organized so that we can tell what we already have and what we will need on our next shopping trip, helping with our garden and picking stuff from it for our meals, and helping out in the kitchen at mealtime/clean up. I want them to a) know that it is a valuable thing we do for our family, providing for their nutritional needs, and giving them nice, delicious meals, as well as good memories at the table together and b)know how to care for their family in this area when they become adults. When I was first out on my own I didn't know the first thing about managing my kitchen and it took a lot of trial and error to learn about it. My poor son had to sit through a lot of poorly made or burned meals while I learned how to cook! lol! He also had to eat too much top ramen and beans and rice at the end of the month years ago before I learned to properly grocery shop on a budget. I don't want my kids to have those problems as adults-at least not for the same reasons (just not knowing how to manage in this area). Hopefully they will know the basics of feeding themselves and their families healthfully on a budget by the time they move out, because they helped feed ours as they were growing up. I make sure to let them know it is a privilege for us to be able to budget, plan out, buy and prepare a good variety of healthy foods for our family-some people don't have enough to eat, and we are very lucky to have a food budget (even if it is fairly small for our 7 person family) to work with.

ETA: I'm one of those people who shows love to my family by making them a delicious, attractive looking meal. I guess you could say my "love language" is food. :laugh:

Mom0fTwo

my family eats what i make for them if they don't like it, tough! I spent the time to make it so they will eat it....if my kids don't eat it, it get put in the fridge and heated up for breakfast or snack later on after dinner if they want something....they have learnt pretty quickly to eat what i put in front of them, If they are full that is another story but i know what they normally eat so i give them enough or less and some times they ask for more and sometimes they don't but this way i know they are getting the food that they need

pixelish

so you do pretty much what I do. some things everyone eats and some things only 1 person eats. So mainly I want to hear from the people who make their kids eat when they've cooked. Do they cook things they don't like and then eat them?

I think I've already answered this - yes, I do cook things that aren't my favorites and, yes, I eat them. I haven't run across a food item yet that anyone in my family finds truly revolting, so that hasn't been an issue.

robot_potato

We all eat the same thing. I don't do low/nonfat/diet stuff, i just do proper portions of real food. My kids are 7 and 3 and they eat most everything that i make. They don't have to devour everything i make, but they do have to try it. If they honestly hate what i made then i will make a sandwich for them, but i'm not cooking seperate meals for everyone. And i do let them choose meals too, if it's unhealthy i will eat what fits into my calorie allowance. I can't expect them to eat what i like all the time.

rugbygirlca

My husband or I make one meal for the entire family with some slight variations (which take into account dietary needs or preferences). For example, on a night that we are making tacos for the family, I will make tacos and a side salad or vegetable for the kids, but will make a taco salad for me. One meal - slight variation. The other night I made a chick-pea and spinach curry for the family. Our 5 year old can handle a bit of heat, but the 2 year old isn't quite ready for that. In the final stages of cooking, I pulled out a small portion for the kids and then kicked up the heat in ours. I am gluten-free, so I served mine with rice and salad. For the kids, I had naan and a cooked veggie.

I have found it much easier to make one meal and then make slight variations, rather than cook two separate meals. When planning my meals, I try to take into account their taste preferences, the healthiness of the meal and then plan accordingly. On the nights that I am not home, my husband often makes meals for the kids that are things that I would not normally eat (such as pasta).

In terms of junk - there is some in the house, but not a lot. The kids are allowed small amounts from time to time - about the same amount that I myself would eat. For me, that is not a diet. It's a choice ot lead a healthy lifestyle and a chance for me to instill this in my kids at a young age. Our rule is that you don't have to ask if you'd like to have fruit, vegetables or water at any time of the day...everything else they have to ask.

jenbusick

so you do pretty much what I do. some things everyone eats and some things only 1 person eats. So mainly I want to hear from the people who make their kids eat when they've cooked. Do they cook things they don't like and then eat them?

Yeah, that's what I do. I grew up in a household where my mom didn't buy or prepare foods she personally did not like, and after I grew up I discovered that I like a whole lot of foods I'd never even heard of, so I try to be open to trying new things and preparing things that I personally do not care for. I try to be sensitive to the fact that some things I do not like are other people's favorites.

jenbusick

so you do pretty much what I do. some things everyone eats and some things only 1 person eats. So mainly I want to hear from the people who make their kids eat when they've cooked. Do they cook things they don't like and then eat them?

I think I've already answered this - yes, I do cook things that aren't my favorites and, yes, I eat them. I haven't run across a food item yet that anyone in my family finds truly revolting, so that hasn't been an issue.

You must not have a hypertaster in the family. We do. It forces you to make accomodations. There are a lot of recipes that just will not work for our family because of it, including many soups, casseroles, and crockpot dishes. It's a pain sometimes.

julie9200

My house is not a restaurant, they eat what I cook. I make one meal. It includes lots of lean meat, veggies and fruit.

Of course, once in awhile we have what my son calls "defend for yourself night". That's when everyone either eats, leftovers, PB&J or something like a corn dog from the freezer. They are usually fighting over my left over South Beach Diet Chili or homemade stew.

We call that "Fen-Fer", as in fen fer yerself, lol

pixelish

You must not have a hypertaster in the family. We do. It forces you to make accomodations. There are a lot of recipes that just will not work for our family because of it, including many soups, casseroles, and crockpot dishes. It's a pain sometimes.

I guess we don't. It really hasn't been that big of an issue for us. Both my husband and I love to cook and the kids have just been raised with a meal being placed on the table. Not sure how we would have handled a hypertaster, but I'm sure we would have managed something. Our main thing is that dinner is family time. The focus is the members of the family coming together to share a meal and re-connect. I always try to make the food delicious - and from the comments I get back from husband and kids - it seems I am successful far more often than not. I've heard both of my boys brag to friends about the types of foods they are served for dinner.