Do you cook differently for your family?

_VoV

My family wants foods I know I shouldn't have because once I start eating them, I can't stop.

I can't (and don't want to be) a total food dictator in the kitchen. Any ideas to make this a little easier on myself?

VeganPanda

My boyfriend likes tacos, microwaved pizza, and veggie burgers, and spaghetti and some other fake meat products. (he's vegetarian not vegan) I cook differently for him. I feel terrible because he likes unhealthy things and doesn't want my veggie dishes but yes, I usually cook two different meals.

lwagnitz

If you think you shouldn't have them, why is it justifiable for your family to put those foods in their mouths as well? I can't speak from experience because I don't have kids, but I do have a husband. He eats what I make, it's plain and simple. If he wants to eat bad, he can go and get the food to make it and make it himself because I refuse. It helps just not having those foods in the house, at all. I wouldn't make it totally obvious that it's healthy stuff. Of course, it is, but it shouldn't be looked at as bad, or something abnormal. I think the best way for your family to embrace the healthier meals by not saying making it clear you made it because it's healthy, but you made it because it's what's for dinner.

amonroe1343

Can you make both stuff that you can have and stuff you can't have? I'm a picky eater so it makes it easy for me to make things that I can't have that I also don't like. Maybe by adding something you don't like into something you shouldn't have it should make it easier to avoid that. I try to do that when I bring treats to work. I bring stuff that I don't like anyways and so it's easy to avoid it.

apedeb09

Nope. I take into consideration what they want for dinner and then I try to make a healthier version of it so that way we're all happy. But bottom line is, my husband and kids know that what I make is what they're getting. If my husband wants to eat something else, that's up to him. He's a grown man and can make something else if he wants (and he does from time to time but he's a pretty picky eater).

Jaymazing

Yes!! This is the hardest part of parenting for me! My kids are McDonalds, pizza, meat and potatoes addicts. I am a health nut, borderline vegetarian. They won't eat my food, so I end up taking them to the drive thru. I know that's bad parenting, but they will not eat my food, so I just gave up on them a long time ago. All three are active and healthy weights, so I don't worry too much. Maybe my habits will rub off on them when they are older. Maybe. For now it is just very inconvenient. Not to mention, no one is ever home at the same times to even think about having a family meal. I feel like I run a taxi station.

As for my husband, we hardly ever eat together. He works nights, and he is Korean, so spam and rice and kimchi are his staples. No thank you! He makes his own food, lol.

coliema

My fiance eats whatever I make, he isn't picky, but if he doesn't want what I'm having he cooks for himself!

Jaymazing

Lol. That's a good tactic, Amonroe.

_VoV

My situation is that I have two picky teens who don't like most of the foods I make for myself. They complain 'there's no food in the house' when they look in the refrigerator. They like a lot of kid-food--pizza, mac & cheese, fettuccini alfredo, fries, burritos, potato chips, taco chips and salsa, veggie versions of chik'n nuggets, cheese burgers, etc. So, I end up buying and/or making those things for them.

Usually, I resist, but in weak moments, I can get pulled into eating these rich foods, and see red in my food diary.

Bentley2718

As you know, I'm veg*n and my husband is an omni. He has been told that he can eat whatever he wants when (1) he cooks it, or (2) we go out. If I am cooking, he eats what I cook. (I'm sort of glad he doesn't cook, meat in my kitchen grosses me out.) I do make some allowances/modifications to his meals, such as using cheese in his food (but Daiya in mine). I also make more carbs for him than I do myself--which is dangerous, I just have to really watch my portion size, but I'm only sometimes successful.

When I buy him snack food, I purposefully buy stuff I will not eat, for example beef jerky, or non-vegan peanut butter crackers.

amyhoss

My husband won't eat anything healthy. Just mention that word to him and he says "yuck!" He gets mad at me if I make something for myself that he doesn't like, so I usually have to modify what I make to suit him or not make the healthy things that I would otherwise be making.

AlsDonkBoxSquat

I don't cook seperate meals. I want my family to be as healthy and active as I am, there's nothing I cook that I wouldn't feed to my family. If they want something else, they can work that out amongst themselves (they are hubs @ 34 and son @ 2). However, we do eat a variety. 3 nights ago we had pesto crusted rainbow trout and veggies, last night we had leftover trout and tater tots. Nothing wrong with a tater tot.

stanvoodoo

No I cook the same for everyone. I just have smaller portions than they do and if a higher calorie/fat meal keep the portion small and add fruit or veggie.

Bentley2718

Yes!! This is the hardest part of parenting for me! My kids are McDonalds, pizza, meat and potatoes addicts. I am a health nut, borderline vegetarian. They won't eat my food, so I end up taking them to the drive thru. I know that's bad parenting, but they will not eat my food, so I just gave up on them a long time ago. All three are active and healthy weights, so I don't worry too much. Maybe my habits will rub off on them when they are older. Maybe. For now it is just very inconvenient. Not to mention, no one is ever home at the same times to even think about having a family meal. I feel like I run a taxi station.

If they are hungry enough, and you don't give in, they will eat it.

capriciousmoon

Make less? Enough for your family to have the food that they want, but not enough that you'll have leftovers to temp you.

My solution to foods I can't control myself with is to limit how much I have access to.

amanda3588

There are fantastic websites and blogs that lighten up otherwise high calorie, high fat dinners. Try those out, and come to a compromise. My favorite websites are skinnytaste.com, emilybites.com and eatingwell.com

pag41989

I cook the same thing but if I am doing a protein and veggies I will boil some pasta for my husband because he complains about being hungry because a little bit of chicken and veggies is not what he is used to eating so I just throw in the extra carbs for him and he seems content

marathon64

I just make myself healthy veggie based choices and then add an animal protein for my family. I try to keep the options for them healthy too. I generally serve fruit or fruit with whipped cream for dessert.

What are the trigger foods you struggle with?

Stpjudge

Yes, I cook differently for my family because my 12 y.o. son is underweight he needs exactly the foods and extra fats that I can't have. Some of the foods I buy are special for him and he has to keep them in his room so I won't attack them. I also I like to live vicariously through him too, "you son totally get the milkshake son."

AlsDonkBoxSquat

My situation is that I have two picky teens who don't like most of the foods I make for myself. They complain 'there's no food in the house' when they look in the refrigerator. They like a lot of kid-food--pizza, mac & cheese, fettuccini alfredo, fries, burritos, potato chips, taco chips and salsa, veggie versions of chik'n nuggets, cheese burgers, etc. So, I end up buying and/or making those things for them.

Usually, I resist, but in weak moments, I can get pulled into eating these rich foods, and see red in my food diary.

There's nothing wrong with these foods specifically, but if that's all they are eating, what do you expect them to do as grown ups? This isn't "kid-food" this is "unhealthy food, on the aggregate, if eaten at every meal." Teach your children to eat thoughtfully, that's the best lesson you can teach them about food. And every teenager looks at the cupboards and thinks they are bare, get used to it.

FinallyFindingLisa

Nope. I take into consideration what they want for dinner and then I try to make a healthier version of it so that way we're all happy. But bottom line is, my husband and kids know that what I make is what they're getting. If my husband wants to eat something else, that's up to him. He's a grown man and can make something else if he wants (and he does from time to time but he's a pretty picky eater).

This! As a result, we (as a family) have lost almost 200 pounds and have been able to cut back on prescriptions for triglycerides, cholesterol & HBP. You set the tone for the habits of your family if you are in charge of cooking/shopping. We've found lots of yummy healthier alternatives by trial and error. (We've made some real stinkers too, but win some, lose some)

Alex_is_Hawks

yes I do...it just works easier that way....

she needs a full balanced meal every meal...i need to eat what I can that works with what I can consume at this point in my life..

so I do...

postrockandcats

My extended family apparently has a running pool on what "weird" veggie I'll make for Thanksgiving :P

But, to answer your question, find a healthier version of it. It works for me

SouthernSkylark

I cook different meals for all of us ( I have 3 boys) - I am just used to it now and it doesn't really take up any more of my time than I would expect. Two of my boys have food allergies, one life threatening allergies. I am a pescaterian, and my hubby is full on carnivore!
It's all fun and games :laugh:

Bentley2718

My situation is that I have two picky teens who don't like most of the foods I make for myself. They complain 'there's no food in the house' when they look in the refrigerator. They like a lot of kid-food--pizza, mac & cheese, fettuccini alfredo, fries, burritos, potato chips, taco chips and salsa, veggie versions of chik'n nuggets, cheese burgers, etc. So, I end up buying and/or making those things for them.

Usually, I resist, but in weak moments, I can get pulled into eating these rich foods, and see red in my food diary.

Funny, in all our conversations, you've never mentioned your children having a debilitating issue that prevents them from cooking for themselves. If they want it badly enough, let them source/cook whatever it is. Of course, that only solves half the problem, since once it is in the house, you're still tempted to eat it, but, my guess is that if you don't make it easy on them these foods will be around less. Please don't tell them I said this though.

Pacileo4Evers

I normally have to do two if its rice I have to cook white and brown, and if its pasta or bread ( my husband says hates wheat anything)

marathon64

My situation is that I have two picky teens who don't like most of the foods I make for myself. They complain 'there's no food in the house' when they look in the refrigerator. They like a lot of kid-food--pizza, mac & cheese, fettuccini alfredo, fries, burritos, potato chips, taco chips and salsa, veggie versions of chik'n nuggets, cheese burgers, etc. So, I end up buying and/or making those things for them.

Usually, I resist, but in weak moments, I can get pulled into eating these rich foods, and see red in my food diary.

AH! Now I see. I keep mac and cheese in the house and they make it for themselves but my husband and I don't eat it. We get pizza occasionally but not more than once every few weeks. They eat it out with friends though. Burritos can be a nutritional powerhouse so we go with those usually once a week-I often just have the ingredients on a salad though and skip the cheese. You can make chicken nuggets that are healthy...though i know you don't really eat chicken right? Nothing wrong with some chips and salsa just go for the regular chips v. doritos or see if you like the baked ones for yourself (kids probably wont' like them). I serve them burgers like once a week on good quality local beef and just have lentil or bean burger myself. You can improvise/compromise.

NiSan12

I do cook differently for them now, it's hard not to but at the same time I realize that I'm the only one that is really trying to
eat healthier so for the most part, I will make things that they like and make myself something else or I would forewarn them
before I cook, that we are eating healthy that day and everyone seems to be okay with it.

We want our family to eat better but they are not going to do it willingly until they realize they need to do it for themselves. Fortunately there are some healthy foods out that actually taste good. But in the meantime I keep introducing healthy foods to them every now and then until they get the a-ha moment. LOL

The good part is I didn't change my eating habits too much. I just count the calories and so my body didn't go into shock LOL

bcattoes

My situation is that I have two picky teens who don't like most of the foods I make for myself. They complain 'there's no food in the house' when they look in the refrigerator. They like a lot of kid-food--pizza, mac & cheese, fettuccini alfredo, fries, burritos, potato chips, taco chips and salsa, veggie versions of chik'n nuggets, cheese burgers, etc. So, I end up buying and/or making those things for them.

Usually, I resist, but in weak moments, I can get pulled into eating these rich foods, and see red in my food diary.

Maybe it's time for the teens to learn how to cook?? I'm not being sarcastic, it was just a thought.

You can make healthier, lower calorie versions of many of those foods. Maybe not the potato chips or alfredo. I have made healthier mac and cheese, but it's not low cal.

I'm always surprised by how many people on MFP say no to chips and salsa. That is a go to healthy snack for me when I was something crunchy. Burritos and burgers are easy though if you use lean meat and reduced fat cheese. Shredded chicken / bean burritos and nachos are yummy!

lwagnitz

My situation is that I have two picky teens who don't like most of the foods I make for myself. They complain 'there's no food in the house' when they look in the refrigerator. They like a lot of kid-food--pizza, mac & cheese, fettuccini alfredo, fries, burritos, potato chips, taco chips and salsa, veggie versions of chik'n nuggets, cheese burgers, etc. So, I end up buying and/or making those things for them.

Usually, I resist, but in weak moments, I can get pulled into eating these rich foods, and see red in my food diary.

Please don't take this the wrong way because I'm truly not trying to be judgmental, just asking you to maybe reevaluate some things. You are here to lose weight and probably something which is more important: make yourself healthier? I would think about the way your kids eat. Do you really want them to be in your shoes? I know that I don't want my kids to ever feel they way I feel about myself, or have to have any concern about their health due to eating habits. They're in their teens now, and will likely be out of the house in a short time. If they are making bad choices like that already, imagine the choices they will make when they leave. If I were in your shoes, I'd put my foot down. You don't need to deprive them of everything, but they need to understand a balanced diet that they can carry on for when they live on their owns and make their OWN dinners.

theresmynapkin

Nope. I take into consideration what they want for dinner and then I try to make a healthier version of it so that way we're all happy. But bottom line is, my husband and kids know that what I make is what they're getting. If my husband wants to eat something else, that's up to him. He's a grown man and can make something else if he wants (and he does from time to time but he's a pretty picky eater).

This. If your significant other isn't happy with what you've cooked for dinner, tell them to get their @ss in the kitchen and make their own d@mn dinner!