Husband who hates healthy food!

stefa711

My husband has been deployed for 3 months now. After he left, I cut out processed foods. Then I started eating all organic, upped my vegetable intake, and cut down on meat.
Now I've cut out all meat and dairy. I feel amazingly healthy and I've lost 27 lbs so far. This is something I want to keep up long term, for life, I hope.
My problem is that my husband eats like a 5 year old. He hates vegetables and loves pizza and macaroni and cheese. How do I keep up my healthy habits when he gets back? Has anyone else dealt with a lifestyle change in their diet without the full support of their families?

Francl27

I'd treat him like a 5yo, lol. Eat what I make or starve

ttiiggzz

I got one of those. I cater to him, unfortunately, but I don't eat what I make for him. I guess though he thinks this 'kick' I've been on since the fall isn't going to last. Have I got news for him...

Onaughmae

I cook..if he doesnt eat it he fends for himself. I will ask him what he wants at the grocery store and buy it when I go...if he wants something that doesnt fit in with the healthy I am making, he makes his own. No problem

Cr01502

I think you could both learn from each other as to what the "right" way to eat is.

chrisjathompson

That's why they make microwave mac and cheese. Cook yourself some dinner, and toss that garbage in the nuker for him. Pizza is good for you though, you should eat lots and lots of it.

1ConcreteGirl

Lucky for him, even a five year old can make mac and cheese.

KendraElmendorf

ladyrider55

When my kids were in their teens I was a Vegetarian, I'd make their kind of food 1st and then I'd make my kind of food and sit down at meal time each with our own foods. Same goes for now when eating with family / friends and Holidays......I make their food 1st and then I make my food. Yes it's more work to make 2 different meals but I'm okay with it because I'm eating the right foods for me :happy:

dangerxbadger

Make him this and laugh at his expression when he tells you he loved it, and you tell him what it actually was:

http://www.recipegirl.com/2012/01/16/cauliflower-crust-hawaiian-pizza/

Cauliflower also works great as fake mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese.

SluppyB

Isn't it annoying when people call it a "kick" or a "phase"! I agree with others - you don't have to eat what he eats. Be strong. Keep doing what you're doing. I would let him make his own meals, or if he's completely useless in the kitchen, throw something in the oven or micro for him whilst you make your own delicious healthy meal and let him be jealous

Spartan_Maker

You can count on one thing: expecting him to go from pizza and mac & cheese to being something resembling a vegan isn't likely to fly. Maybe you guys could compromise into a Paleo lifestyle with you leaning toward vegetables and him relying on meat/fish, fruits, and vegetables. Also be mindful that you two have vastly different endocrinological needs that can be wildly influenced by diet. If I, for one, cut meat and dairy out of my diet, I'd be doing Low T commercials.

Good luck.

Mokey41

At my house, if I cook it you eat it or make your own. My hubby is lazy so he eats whatever it is. Yours will either learn to eat better or become really good at making his own.

DavPul

So he's overseas getting shot at and risking his life everyday and when he comes home expecting the comforts that he was accustomed to, you're going to tell him that you made a unilateral change and he has no say in the matter. Thanks for risking your life and sending all your cash home, now eat this plate full of raw veggies while I call you a child to strangers in the Internet.

Wait, which one of you is the non-supportive one?

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

When my husband is deployed I eat how I want. When he's home I fix food he'll enjoy. It's hard enough for him to come home and feel like life has gone on without him. There's no reason why he should also feel like all the food has been changed on him.

Once he's been home awhile and you've all readjusted you can talk with him about what changes he'd be ok with long-term. In our house we discuss the grocery list. I make what veggies my husband will eat. I eat what fits into my calorie goal and then I eat much healthier lunches and snacks.

stefa711

So he's overseas getting shot at and risking his life everyday and when he comes home expecting the comforts that he was accustomed to, you're going to tell him that you made a unilateral change and he has no say in the matter. Thanks for risking your life and sending all your cash home, now eat this plate full of raw veggies while I call you a child to strangers in the Internet.

Wait, which one of you is the non-supportive one?

First of all, the reason I posted this at all is because I want to figure out the best way to accommodate both of our eating habits when he gets home. Not tell him what to eat.

Your comments are completely uncalled for and you have no place judging me based on, what, my eating habits?! Are you serious?? Get a life, dude!!

stefa711

When my husband is deployed I eat how I want. When he's home I fix food he'll enjoy. It's hard enough for him to come home and feel like life has gone on without him. There's no reason why he should also feel like all the food has been changed on him.

Thank you!! This is exactly why I posted this, I don't want him to feel like I've gone on with my life without him.

Thank you to everyone who gave productive input! It's much appreciated!

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

When my husband is deployed I eat how I want. When he's home I fix food he'll enjoy. It's hard enough for him to come home and feel like life has gone on without him. There's no reason why he should also feel like all the food has been changed on him.

Thank you!! This is exactly why I posted this, I don't want him to feel like I've gone on with my life without him.

Thank you to everyone who gave productive input! It's much appreciated!

Is this your first deployment? The reason I ask is that reintegrating can be rough even if nothing has changed.

Maybe the best way to approach is to split the difference. Maybe you make homemade pizza, and you can put tons of veggies on yours (that's what we do). Or pick a meat dish he loves and make an extra veggie or two for yourself. Maybe over time he'll be willing to try the more "grown-up" options. Good luck.

angieleighbyrd

my husband eats like a 5 year old too. hasn't hindered me at all. he's a grown man. yes sometimes that means i make 2 dinners. oh well. i like being in the kitchen. he's not embarrassed that his wife can run circles around him so whatever. i don't control him. sometimes he will try new things. he actually prefers turkey over hamburger now, but for the most part he eats crap.

Iron_Feline

I'd treat him like a 5yo, lol. Eat what I make or starve

Don't do this! You have chosen to go vegan - or close to it. He hasn't even been there to discuss it. In the forces he will find it very hard to be a vegan - esp on deployment. His calorie needs will be much much higher and vegan foods will be very limited. So you need to discuss it when he gets back and compromise. You can always make vegan meals with a separate meat component for him to enjoy with it. That's what my friend does for her meat eating husband.

And according to you I eat like a 5 year old. So thanks for that. Pizza and mac and cheese can be healthy if home-made fyi.

stefa711

Is this your first deployment? The reason I ask is that reintegrating can be rough even if nothing has changed.

Yes... Is it that obvious? Haha. Actually 6 months after he comes home it's my turn. So I'm also trying to think about how I'd feel if it was me (because it will be me next).

I think cooking two meals at a time may become exhausting, so we're going to have to learn to compromise. Pizza one night, veggies the next.

I actually really liked the comment about trying paleo and then eating to our own preferences.

KenosFeoh

I've never been in that exact situation, but I don't like making two meals. When I make a meal, you can eat it or fend for yourself. I do try to include something each person will like each time I make a meal. Like when the kids hated saurkraut, I'd make saurkraut and sausage for husband and I, with mashed potatoes on the side, which the kids liked also. (for example)

Heyyleigh

I'd treat him like a 5yo, lol. Eat what I make or starve

hahaha this....................... :happy:

FitandFab33

Or meet in the middle- do a build your own pizza night- so you get healthy toppings and he can have what he wants...

Or use recipes from sites like www.skinnytaste.com- one meal- great taste, still healthy..

ETA: or make a big thing (roast, lean beef with taco seasoning etc...).. and have your veggies on the side. If he wants a baked potato or macaroni and cheese on the side- those are easy enough to fix quickly as well..

Confuzzled4ever

HAHA.. my boyfriend just bought organic gluten free bread for his place and he check the nutrition labels when he shops now checks the salt content and the fat content. lol. he doesn't care about he calories just yet, but low-salt and low-fat is a good start. I'd say i'm converting him. LOL

lioness803

My husband isn't a big fan of healthy eating either, so I cook meat and starch for him, have small portions of that for myself, and make myself extra veggies.

Is there any vegetables he will eat? Mine doesn't mind carrots, so I put them in EVERYTHING.

stefa711

And according to you I eat like a 5 year old. So thanks for that. Pizza and mac and cheese can be healthy if home-made fyi.

I meant no offense! I do love Mac and cheese and pizza myself... Especially Mac with Greek yogurt, but unfortunately that will not fit into a vegan lifestyle luckily I have found some awesome vegan recipes for both!

I do now foresee myself switching to 80/20 vegan/vegetarian so I can feed him too lol.

FitandFab33

Just saw the vegan part... seitan can be a girl's best friend... chorizo style seitan is DELICIOUS, though not exactly low in fat- but.. one more meatless alternative to slip in there ;-)

stefa711

My husband isn't a big fan of healthy eating either, so I cook meat and starch for him, have small portions of that for myself, and make myself extra veggies.

Is there any vegetables he will eat? Mine doesn't mind carrots, so I put them in EVERYTHING.

He will eat spaghetti squash... Corn occasionally. But that's about where it ends! That's my biggest concern. I put veggies in EVERYTHING! Brussels sprouts, asparagus, onions, peppers, spinach, kale! I can't do without them!
I guess it is possible to cook my veggies and his meat separately. Just another pan?

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

Is this your first deployment? The reason I ask is that reintegrating can be rough even if nothing has changed.

Yes... Is it that obvious? Haha. Actually 6 months after he comes home it's my turn. So I'm also trying to think about how I'd feel if it was me (because it will be me next).

I think cooking two meals at a time may become exhausting, so we're going to have to learn to compromise. Pizza one night, veggies the next.

I actually really liked the comment about trying paleo and then eating to our own preferences.

I think you're on the right track. Just whatever you do make sure he's on board and that you discuss it. And like I said, I'd give it a couple of weeks first. His sleep schedule will be normalizing and he'll probably want to spend a bunch of money. Our first reintegration wasn't tough, but we don't have kids and I went to a couple of classes on it so I knew what to expect.

lioness803

My husband isn't a big fan of healthy eating either, so I cook meat and starch for him, have small portions of that for myself, and make myself extra veggies.

Is there any vegetables he will eat? Mine doesn't mind carrots, so I put them in EVERYTHING.

He will eat spaghetti squash... Corn occasionally. But that's about where it ends! That's my biggest concern. I put veggies in EVERYTHING! Brussels sprouts, asparagus, onions, peppers, spinach, kale! I can't do without them!
I guess it is possible to cook my veggies and his meat separately. Just another pan?

Yes!