Question for ladies with families....
NoahandPresleysMom
Posts: 763 Member
So there's me, my husband my 3 /12 year old son and my 1 year old daughter. My husband hates vegetables, maybe likes only 4 or 5 fruits, loves red meat and bacon and sausage, is lactose intolerant, o doesnt drink milk, but still insists on eating cheese, pasta and bread.(And hes diabetic :noway: ) my kids are starting to stick their noses up at veggies because dad does. Well, I do the shopping for the household. I do ALL of the cooking. Should I just start making meals and either him and the kids eat or they don't?? I'm sick of making different things for everyone!!!! Any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated!!
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Replies
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You need the sign I have in my kitchen: Today's Menu...eat it or starve!0
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You need the sign I have in my kitchen: Today's Menu...eat it or starve!
I love that!!!!0 -
I would have to agree. I cook what I cook, and try to stay healthy with veggies. If my husband doesn't like something, he picks it out. Maybe ask him to be discreet about his disdain for vegetables to not influence your kids decisions about them. I also try to keep things that I know he doesn't like in a separate pot if possible. I really don't want to spend the time making different things ofr everyone, I can understand why you're tired of it too.0
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Eat it or starve.
Handed down from generation to generation to generation in my family.
My son eats what I give him, or he starves.
So does any man who may enter my life.0 -
I don't make special meals. We eat what we eat. Period. My husband wasn't crazy about veggies, so I gave him the same advice I give on this forum. Eat them first, and get them out of the way.0
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Make one meal, if they don't eat, they can make their own.
That's how I learned to quit being a picky eater as a child.
Edit to add: And any grown man should know how to make his own meals.0 -
im not a short-order cook....
everyone in my house (two kids, husband) eats what i eat and well, if they dont eat it they can just go hungry...
i eat healthfully and i belive that my family should to...
my kids love the meals that i prepare...at first they were not big on some of the things but i had a rule where they had to try everything on their plates...eventually they just ate it cause they didnt have a choice or they really did like it...
as for your husband, maybe try and explain to him that you are trying to have the family eat better and to give what you eat a try...
if not, well he can fend for himself!0 -
Make one meal, if they don't eat, they can make their own.
That's how I learned to quit being a picky eater as a child.
Edit to add: And any grown man should know how to make his own meals.
you'd think so, but no. He was never taught how to cook ANYTHING! He cant even make toast withought burning it. It's pretty sad. His mom always taught him that's why you find a wife. Ugh. And I tried to teach him to cook. After 5 minutes he says"I don't have patience for this" and leaves.0 -
I make a meal with something in it that everyone likes. I don't make separate meals. I don't have time. I don't do everyone's laundry either.0
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I often put out but up fruit or raw veggies while I am cooking dinnner. It's amazing how the kids will eat them when they are so hungry. They will keep running back in to eat them. No sense cooking them or serving them WITH dinner, just get them in first. A little low fat ranch dressing makes a reasonable dip. Baby carrots, sliced cucumber or celery, cherry tomatoes, etc. Sliced apples or oranges, strawberries, etc. Put them out on a pretty plate like you would for guests.0
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Don't make separate meals and the rule should be to eat whatever mom cooks. In the beginning if they refuse to eat it I would wrap up the plate and when they asked for food later they got their plate back. They learned real quick they could not get away with it. I started from the beginning with each kids so now they are use to it.0
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Take some advice from someone who wishes she had asked the same question 20 years ago.
In the beginning when my kids were little, they would eat with Mommy and all was ok. I would cook healthy food and my kids would eat it without any trouble.
My husband would do what yours is doing... refuse to eat vegetables.. not eat healthy... and he negatively influenced my children. It is now 20 years later, my husband has had a heart attack at 48 and my kids, 23 and 15 are bears when it comes to healthy eating. They have had his horrible infulence for years.. (often taking my kids to McDonalds behind my back).
I should have stood my ground. I'm still fighting every day for my kids... but it is really really hard when they get older.
Do the right thing. Set the rules in your kitchen. Tell HIM to eat by himself if he must eat unhealthful. Do it for your kids.0 -
Shame on his Mom!!!
My family eats what I eat, very lean lots and lots of vegetables. My one concession is that once a week they pick what they want. They take turns picking, and it has to be reasonable. Like no cake for dinner. I knew I was doing a great job the day it was my 9 year old sons turn to pick and he asked me to make that thing he liked. What thing I asked, you know Mom the one with the Kale.........0 -
Start serving the veggies TODAY! The sooner they start to eat them, the better. Kids who don't eat fruits and veggies early, have more trouble with it later. Don't do that to them. You are investing the time and trouble in their lifelong health.
I try to serve meat, a veggie, and a good carb with every meal. We snack on fruit. No sodas, limited processed snacks. Limited juice (100% juice). Let the treats be real treats. The rest should be food.
Our dinners have a couple of things I expect everyone to like and a couple of experiments or iffy things. If they don't like the squash, they can eat the quinoa and salmon and just a few bites of the squash. I try to spice up the veggies some, though: cheese sprinkles, Tony Chachere's (my family likes spiciness), nuts, etc.
Good luck. They will adjust after a few weeks. My kids love turkey burgers now and will try any new food in a restaurant. It is great!0 -
Make one meal, if they don't eat, they can make their own.
That's how I learned to quit being a picky eater as a child.
Edit to add: And any grown man should know how to make his own meals.
you'd think so, but no. He was never taught how to cook ANYTHING! He cant even make toast withought burning it. It's pretty sad. His mom always taught him that's why you find a wife. Ugh. And I tried to teach him to cook. After 5 minutes he says"I don't have patience for this" and leaves.
He needs to learn to cook. Even if it's simple stuff, get the kids in on it too. Kids should learn to cook.0 -
im not a short-order cook....
i eat healthfully and i belive that my family should to...
I agree with both of these statements. I may ask for their input and over time they've learned what our family eats. Just tonight my 5 year old requested fish for dinner! baked fish, not fish sticks, but a fish fillet! I honestly don't think he even knows what a fish stick is. I digress, I cook what I cook and they know if they don't eat it, then they go hungry. Thankfully I don't have to deal with many if any complaints.0 -
For the most part, my hubby will eat veggies if I cook them. Our 2 year old son eats veggies like a CHAMP! He LOVES broccoli. Tonite, he devoured zucchini lasagna, broccoli, spinach and peaches. I usually make the same meal for everyone. The only time I didn't was tonite. The son and I ate zucchini lasagna and I made my hubby regular lasagna. Because it's his FAVORITE meal, so I don't mess with that. Lol0
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You have the right idea! You cook a healthy meal, put it in front of them, and that's the meal. Like it or lump it. I would also talk to your husband about being quiet about his dislike of certain foods. He can have his dislikes, but he needs to allow his children to make up their own minds.0
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How controlled is his Diabetes? If it is out of control I say take control Mama you may be saving his life and the future of your children if you have to.0
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Go old school on em, either they eat what you make, or dont eat at all. that BS! your not a slave. ( you know what I mean) theyll learn to love veggies.0
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So there's me, my husband my 3 /12 year old son and my 1 year old daughter. My husband hates vegetables, maybe likes only 4 or 5 fruits, loves red meat and bacon and sausage, is lactose intolerant, o doesnt drink milk, but still insists on eating cheese, pasta and bread.(And hes diabetic :noway: ) my kids are starting to stick their noses up at veggies because dad does. Well, I do the shopping for the household. I do ALL of the cooking. Should I just start making meals and either him and the kids eat or they don't?? I'm sick of making different things for everyone!!!! Any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated!!
My husband takes a serving of vegetables about the same size as the kids' servings....one scoop. He and I agreed that he can eat one bite of veggies or more if he likes it to help the kids see that even if it is not our favorite we "give it a fair shake"
That is the rule in my house, the kids have known the rule since they could talk. They do not have to like anything. They have to give something a fair shake. If they behave politely they can have another option. So if I put carrots on their plate, they must take the "fair shake" decent sized bite. They cannot whine. They cannot argue. If they do not like the carrots they must say politely "This is not my favorite, may I have some apple slices as my fruit of veggie tonight?" (whatever works...when they were littler they just said may I have something else?" The kids are 5, 8, 10 and 11 now and they try to help me now by not just saying "This is not my favorite" but also trying to explain what they do not like as they are learning that I will do my best to listen. they might not like a texture, the seasoning, the sauce, how rich it is etc. They are learning the more I listen to what they like and don't like the more I try to present good choices they will like.0 -
Nip that in the bud NOW! Your kids are so young they are still building preferences...i would only cook one meal include something you know hubs likes and if there are veggies he does not like he can pick them out without saying ewww gross or anytjing. You should never discourage healthy eating I have 2 yr old and often prepare veggies I dont like so he and I both get used to them. Myparents never encoraged veggie eating I wish they did.0
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I was kind of meat and potatoes guy myself, but genetics and poor eating habits caught up with me and I'm a diabetic now too. It has been difficult, but I've started to do more of the cooking and meal planning. I've gradually started to wean myself off from some of the less healthier food. I would encourage you to slowly start to change the diet for the whole family. Less red meats and smaller portions, and using fruits as snacks and deserts ( a banana with a hint of peanut butter and a drizzle of chocolate). Have you tried vegetables on the grill (sweet onions, peppers, zucchini) or kabobs? They are very tasty and would be a good start. Cheese sauces can be great on cauliflower and broccoli -- a little higher in calories, but again it is a start. Some meals are great without meat -- Darn Good chili is a family favorite that I spice up onions, fire roasted tomatoes, chopped green peppers and more -- no one even misses the meat. Go with whole grain pastas, reduce the amount of red meat and sneak more veges in the sauce. Everyone will be healthier and with the price of meat you'll save money as well -- good luck!0
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2 signs in my kitchen "two choices for dinner :take it or leave it " and "if mama ain't happy ain't nobody happy ". Your kids are not going to learn any younger how to eat healthy. If your husband doesn't care sbout his own health maybe he would about the children's and yours. Can you talk with him about this?0
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My husband ate corn and green beans when we met.
I did what any inventive mother would do to get her child to eat new veggies...I started by adding a little cheese sauce! LOL Broccoli and cauliflower this worked well for!
I incorporated more veggies in his salad. Fresh spinach is a powerhouse and if the leaves are small, it isn't bitter.
Also, roasted veggies are wonderful.
We now eat all of the these veggies roasted (not only roasted but other ways too:) Broccoli, cauliflower, onions, eggplant, zuchini, green peppers.
We love veggies and some fruits grilled too.0 -
I often put out but up fruit or raw veggies while I am cooking dinnner. It's amazing how the kids will eat them when they are so hungry. They will keep running back in to eat them. No sense cooking them or serving them WITH dinner, just get them in first. A little low fat ranch dressing makes a reasonable dip. Baby carrots, sliced cucumber or celery, cherry tomatoes, etc. Sliced apples or oranges, strawberries, etc. Put them out on a pretty plate like you would for guests.
This is a great idea. I've done it before and am astounded when my husband and kids gobble them up. But I'm also in the "eat it or starve camp." I serve veggies/protein/carb with every meal and the kids are expected to at least take a few bites. My husband is pretty good about veggies, though, so that makes it easier. Not sure what you can do about your husband, but you CAN influence what your kids eat by just giving them the healthy food you are eating.0 -
I use to cook seprate things and it drove me crazy. I will only do that if it is something spicy that the kids can't eat. My rule now is you either eat or you don't. I would tell my husband to keep his opinion to himself infront of the kids. Mine are a bit picky with veggies too and it wouldn't help having my husband make comments.0
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Fix this now or your kids may end up like my youngest!!! My first 2 sons ate what I cooked. They ate fruits, veggies and meats. Of course there were things they did not like but there was always plenty at the table they liked. Then I had my third child. When he was 2 weeks old, we went for his checkup and he was still under his birth weight. I went back the next day and he lost another half pound. The next day...same thing. He was losing weight daily. I was nursing him so we went to a lactation nurse for help. He was just not getting enough. The other 2 had done great so I was really surprised. I tried giving him a bottle to supplement but he would not take a bottle. They gave me a large tube with very fine tubing going down with a small hole in it. I would put breast milk in the tube, hold the end of the tubing on the tip of my finger, put my finger in his mouth, and literally pour the milk down his throat. It worked and he started gaining. As he grew, he was eating a good variety of baby food and moved on into table food. He loved my homemade chicken vegetable soup! Then when he was almost 2, he got pneumonia. He did not eat a crumb of food for 7 days. Hen he finally did eat, it was crackers but I was so happy, I just shoved crackers in him. Then he added cookies. That was all he ate for a long time (along with a vitamin daily!). We have worked so hard to get him to eat healthy but at 14 years old, he eats no vegetables, rarely eats fruits. He eats pop tarts, pizza, cereal, popcorn chicken, and yogurt. Those are they "healthy" things he eats willingly. I believe if I had pushed him when he was very young, we would not be where we are now. He looks healthy, in fact, quite thin. He is 5' 10" and weighs 142. He is very active. He does not eat very much or very often. I blame myself for this and now I know my son will have lifelong health problems because of my negligence. Please don't let this happen to your babies. Do something now while they are still young. If Dad is not going to eat right in front of the kids, don't let him sit at the table with you and the kids when you eat so that you are the one setting the example for them. Surely Dad knows that his eating habits are not good. Appeal to his senses as a father. Ask him if he wants to pass on his eating habits as a legacy to his children or do something to make their lives better.0
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I often put out but up fruit or raw veggies while I am cooking dinnner. It's amazing how the kids will eat them when they are so hungry. They will keep running back in to eat them. No sense cooking them or serving them WITH dinner, just get them in first. A little low fat ranch dressing makes a reasonable dip. Baby carrots, sliced cucumber or celery, cherry tomatoes, etc. Sliced apples or oranges, strawberries, etc. Put them out on a pretty plate like you would for guests.
This!! I did this too when my kids were young. I also found out things they actually liked in their salad and put it on the side so they could add it. I serve the salad first when everyone is hungry, and take my time with the rest.0 -
Honestly, I did not read all the responses, but I've been hiding onions and mushrooms IN.EVERY.LUNCH/DINNER for the past 6 years for the skids.
Cauliflower in mac and cheese
Squash, real tomatoes in spaghetti sauce
Anything pureed in homemade pizza (in the sauce, covered in cheese)
Anything in lasagne, manacotti, stuffed shells
Anything in Mexican (tacos, lasagna, etc)
Faux meats - soy crumbles in any of the above
It's really easy, just be imaginative. Ask me if you have a specific recipe you want to hide something in.
I've even gotten the skids eating veggie risottos without knowing!0
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