Do you cook differently for your family?
Replies
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I do not cook two meals. I try to make the meals healthy and tasty. I never said I am on a diet. That automatically brings up negative thoughts. I am not dieting but implementing a healthy living change. The only difference is that they may eat a desert. I stay in range but don't cut anything. I don't want to be on a "diet" forever. I am changing the way I eat and how much. The change is for life, not just when I lose X amount of pounds.
One way I get my family excited about meals, is we plan it together. We sit down and make a schedule for the week. For example if the want pizza, we make homemade pizza. They can make there own individual pizza. We just roll out the already made dough we buy from Sprouts (previously sunflower), add pizza sauce and toppings. Some other dishes are harder because it cant be individualized. In that case they just get involved. They can choice a veggie, or the seasoning, ect... The kids just enjoy helping and spending time as a family, planning, preparing, and cooking. My husband is supportive. He wants me to be happy with myself, even if he think I am fine. He knows that it how I feel, not how he does.0 -
I have a husband and two little girls ages 3 & 5. They pretty much eat everything I make. So when I am really watching what I eat, I usually make a protein, some vegetable and salad. The kids will eat what we eat, but I usually make a starch (rice, potatoes or pasta) in addition to the meal for them and i just won`t have . Luckily my girls love their fruits and vegetables and often ask for seconds. Once a month the whole family has some McDonald`s or some sort of fast food as a treat.... I stick to my daily calorie goal either way and the hubby and kids can have their treat. I think it is all about balance.
At home my rule for the kids is when they say they don`t like something they haven`t tried.... Try it at least once...and usually when they do try it they realize it is good..... I grew up with the rule that you eat what is in front of you or you just don`t eat at all. My 3 & 5 year old eat shrimp, seafood and even some sushi..... they love green beans, brocoli and cauliflower and eat cucumbers like there is no tomorrow....The only vegetable that hasn`t seem to grow on them yet is zucchini..... but they have learned to love onions.
I think any high calorie meals can be transformed into something healthy and tastier....I believe that using fresh ingredients makes everything taste better. Instead of fried chicken, use a panko coating and bake it.... instead of oil and butter....use 0 calorie Becel spray.... instead oil fried french fries, bake them. The alternatives are endless. I don`t believe you have to give up foods you love or lose flavor....just modify them....there are so many ways and with the internet at our fingertips, there are millions of possibilites. If there is a will, there is a way.0 -
I'd suggest going to hungrygirl.com. The recipes are so delicious and it's basically junk food made healthy. I made my boyfriend spinach pizza muffins from the website and now he begs for us to make recipes off that website rather than going out!0
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My kids eat what I cook, or they don't eat. That is the rule we set up from the beginning. Unless I KNOW it's something they absolutely can't stand. They are 3, 6 and 8. They eat veggies and fruits like we'll never have anymore. I love that.
I shop for fresh produce sometimes twice a week.
I'm more lenient at lunch, because I don't "cook" a big lunch. It's either leftovers or sandwiches/salad. So they choose their lunch. They don't eat school lunch.
We still eat chicken nuggets, I just make them myself in a healthier way. We still eat out occasionally but not often at all.
My husband loves just about anything I make, so I don't get any complaints there. 0 -
I don't like to cook, and there is no way I'm cooking more than one meal for 3 people. If they don't like what I make, they're welcome to make something for themselves (kinda hard on the 2 year old). Or not eat.0
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I make my husband what he wants and I make for me what I want.:happy: works for me perfectly.0
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I refuse to cook defferent meals. What I cook or my husband cooks for the night is what the family eats. My daughter knows at most if she doesn't eat I will allow her to have a cup of milk before she eats but I will not let her have a different meal. On the flip side I do allow her to help plan meals for the week so she has a say in what we cook. My daughter learned at a young age what is on the table is what she eats and now she eats almost everything.0
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sometimes i do but my hubby eats mosty what I make anyway so most of the time he will order out if he's not feeling brown rice and veggies lol!!!0
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Cook what you want to eat for dinner. If they don't like it point them in the direction to the kitchen!0
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I make things for my family that we all like and I just make small changes for mine.
EXAMPLES:
SPAGHETTI- we make the sauce and use ground turkey
Him: then he puts his on spaghetti noodles
Me: I put mine over top a shredded spaghetti squash!
CURRIED CHICKEN-
Him: He puts his inside a tortilla.
Me: I eat mine solo with veggies
TACOS- we use ground turkey
Him: He puts his in a tortilla
Me: I wrap mine in lettuce
STEAK AND POTATOES-
Him: He has his potato
Me: I mash up cauliflower instead (and put a little spray butter and light sour cream on it - tastes like mashed potatoes!)0 -
No! If they get hungry enough they will eat it. And they DO know where the kitchen is and how to use it.0
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My daughter (not quite 2 years old) eats what I eat, with a few modifications here and there because her nutrition needs are different. I do not plan on cooking separate meals for her, and I really hope I can stick to that plan (one thing I've learned about parenting is that things frequently do NOT go according to plan). I want pizza, etc., to be a rare thing, and veggies the norm.0
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I cook one meal for everyone but I do modify some things like my kids dont like sweet potatoes so when I bake them for me and my husband I bake them regular potatoes, when i make tacos or burritos everyone can make their own to suit them, I serve myself smaller portions and sometimes I do without the rice or something else they are eating, sometimes when I make them grilled cheese sandwiches I will make me a turkey sandwich, etc. but for the most part i cook one meal for everyone and yes I have 3 teenagers. I do buy them snacks that I dont eat, mostly ones that dont really tempt me.....0
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Nope. I will edit recipes to be lighter or just eat a smaller portion.0
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\My fiance eats whatever I make, he isn't picky, but if he doesn't want what I'm having he cooks for himself!
I agree, and I do the same in my kitchen and with my husband; he is not picky he likes everything that I make, and he doesn't cook. Problem solved.
If my husband buys something that I don't care for, then is all on him. In the kitchen, and as long as I do all the cooking, I am the dictator. I don't have children living at home, so things are easier.0 -
My husband and I like a lot of the same foods, so he's not an issue.. but I do have a terribly picky 2 year old.
I usually just make an extra side dish so that he can sub something he likes for something he doesn't. Like tonight we are having grilled chicken breasts, we'll all eat that. However, my husband and I are having sauteed spinach and asparagus. I'll let him sub in green beans and carrots... and we'll probably have a few of those too.
And then there are nights when I make things like spaghetti, but I just try to make a lighter version.
On nights I knowingly make things I know he dislikes (like roast beef or veggie soup) I'll allow him to have something to go "with" it... I'll talk him into trying it, but I'll also include some things I know he'll eat. But I always put the other in front of him, hoping one day he'll decide he likes it...0 -
I do a lot of the cooking at home. We used to eat a lot of fresh, white pasta, maybe as much as three times a week. While we eat a lot less now, I do cook it sometimes, and eat steamed carrots with pasta sauce , while they have their pasta
I try not to deny myself anything I really want - If I'm craving pizza, sure, I'll have a couple slices. Luckily that doesn't happen too often, and I never buy deep dish pizzas, always the extra thin bases and add extra veggies for toppings. At the moment I'm trying to up my calories, so I'm encouraging the others to eat more too - but healthier.
Often I eat the same as they eat, but with less carbs and more veggies.
ETA - My boyfriend is hilarious though - he's a huge meat eater, and doesn't get how I'll happily snack on salad. He calls it "rabbit food". My wholegrain hummus and salad sandwiches are the worst though - he won't go near them. White bread and bacon for him. He's very athletic though, so he's got a fantastic body. Ugh. Men. *rolls eyes*0 -
My husband isn't too picky. If I make a tofu vegetarian chili, he adds whatever he wants. I'm avoiding cheese right now, but he can top the chili with it and he seems to enjoy it. I bake cookies occasionally for him and for our daughter. She's very particular and just goes out to eat with friends or cooks something she likes. We can't make everyone happy all the time, I guess, but we can give them healthier choices! Best wishes with your weight loss journey! 0
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It's just me and my youngest son in the house on most days so for just us, I generally make one meal that we both eat. There are some things that I like and he doesn't so when we want that, I will make the same meat but differ in its preparation, for example: I like pasta with marinara and chicken but my son doesn't so I make him a chicken sandwich with his portion. No extra work for his meal so AI don't mind at all. And I get to have my favorite meal without feeling bad for making him eat something he doesn't like.0
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I was like your kids when I was their age. I could not stand any vegetables. They tasted way to strong for me. Then there was a point when I was 18 or so when my taste buds must of had a group suicide because they started not tasting as bad as they used to. I don't know if this ever happens to anyone else, but there may be a reason kids tend to be pickier than adults.
In my house my mom pretty much made whatever she and my dad liked. She left a list on the fridge so she would by us the things we asked for, but we were responsible for preparing it ourselves. I can understand how frustrating it is that you want your kids to eat healthy but can't get through to them. I'm actually dealing with this with my mom that she is having health issues and yet ignores her doctor's advice on losing weight. At that age kids usually just do what they want and don't think about what consequences it could have, then get mad when you tell them it will have consequences. I think what your doing right now is good; being a role model of how you should eat. It's better than anything my parents did for me. Give them some time to mature and they may come to see things your way with time.0 -
Nope... I learned early that if I cook to thier taste, I wont win in the loosing game. I make recipes that fit my meal plan and thier tastes. I use low fat and low calorie ingredients to make their favorite dishes like lasanga, meatloaf and banana bread find comparable recipes that are good for me and them. I use Skinnytaste.com often to find low cal meals and plan ahead to use good ingredients. Of course if I dont have self control a 62 calorie slice of banana bread easily becomes 62x5 and then nobody wins.
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we have a limited number of things that my fiancé and his kids, and me and my kids, will all eat. we eat a lot of those things. heh. i miss my larger range of cooking skills, but i give them rein at times they won't cause household stress.
i am an adventurous cook and i love everything, and my kids were raised like that - they don't have to like everything, but if its dinner, they have to try it, and if they hate it (a very small number of things) they don't have to eat it, and they can fill up on side dishes. some things i adjust for myself, and sometimes i'll make myself something different/lighter, or the fiancé will fend for himself if i'm making something my kids and i love that he and his don't.
with the fiancé's kids, it's easier just to let them eat PB&J than to deal with the battle. at first i tried to say everyone would eat what i make because that's what i made, too bad, but that attitude was causing a *lot* of stress and more battles than i needed. we try to be flexible. i'll admit to a certain amount of rage over children that refuse to eat what i cook and get a sandwich instead, but if i'm not making the sandwich, what does it really matter? i'd love for them to eat healthy, but i can't force their father and i can't force his children. *sigh*
i refuse to do two different dinners, but i'll sometimes adjust certain portions to remove a spice or flavor if someone requests that. if they want something like spaghetti (popular with everyone but me) i use 93% lean ground beef or ground turkey, and i eat a lot less of it. i let the kids have their lunches that i refuse to eat - hot dogs, bologna, PB&J, snacky foods - and try to choose the best of available evils, lol. but they also eat a ton of fruit and just the occasional cheetos. i fend for myself at lunch.
the caveat to all of this is that i'm not 100% a clean eater. i'll eat treats and junk occasionally if it fits in my calories, so i'm not trying to get everyone to eat the tofu, whole wheat, and organic stuff for every meal.0 -
My kid has been eating whatever I've been eating since he started solid food (he's 14 now). He eats just about anything - I would even say he's even less picky than I am. I'm a single mom, I don't have the $$ for two separate meals so thank goodness I taught him early. We eat meat though so I'm thinking if you're going vegan and they are not that it would be very difficult.0
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Such an interesting post!
Some times I have to, but I'm increasingly NOT happy about it. Now I know why all the short-order cooks I've ever seen look grumpy and mean! Luckily, the Hubs eats fairly well now (except for the meat part and he's had to learn how to cook it himself). But when the grands come over at least once a week, mayhem sometimes beats down the door. I try to keep the stuff I've historically liked out of the kitchen but it is hard since the only way I can lose weight is to eat medium-low carbs. The kiddos need lots of carbs - ww grains, fruits, and the only veggies they really like are high glycemic.
Except for today, at lunch. The 7-yr old #1 Grandson ate and LIKE spinach leaves for the first time!!! :drinker: :drinker: And the Granddaughter loves chia seeds. :drinker: :drinker: Small victories.
As for solutions, none for the everyday. :ohwell: But when school starts in two weeks, we'll no longer pick up the grands until after they've eaten dinner at their house!
That doesn't help when the kids are in your house. . .sorry!
-Debra0 -
I make things for my family that we all like and I just make small changes for mine.
EXAMPLES:
SPAGHETTI- we make the sauce and use ground turkey
Him: then he puts his on spaghetti noodles
Me: I put mine over top a shredded spaghetti squash!
CURRIED CHICKEN-
Him: He puts his inside a tortilla.
Me: I eat mine solo with veggies
TACOS- we use ground turkey
Him: He puts his in a tortilla
Me: I wrap mine in lettuce
STEAK AND POTATOES-
Him: He has his potato
Me: I mash up cauliflower instead (and put a little spray butter and light sour cream on it - tastes like mashed potatoes!)
YES! This is what happens for the most part in our house. EXCEPT if my boys request something specific, then I make them whatever they want. I don't think forcing your children to eat what YOU want to eat is fostering good eating habits. Maybe I have been fortunate that my children have always loved veggies and fruits, and don't eat huge portions, have always prefered water and milk over pop or other sweet drinks...I don't know. None of my boys are or have been even remotely overweight, and all 3 are very active in sports. They also can pick any kind of snacks at the grocery store they want. Want Oreos? Get a package! Pop Tarts? Go ahead! I say let them eat what they want, but teach them that just because it's there doesn't mean they should eat the whole package!
*just fyi my boys are 22 years old-5'9", 170lbs(swimmer) 15 years old-6'2", 197lbs(football, basketball and baseball) and 12 years old-5'2", 121lbs(football, basketball and baseball)0 -
my family eats what i cook. we all eat the same things for the most part (i have two young children - they get some modifications, but mostly eat what we eat). if i make pizza, i just eat a smaller portion. if we have stir fry, i measure out my rice. for me, i would have had trouble sticking with a diet if my family was eating tacos and i was eating rice cakes. it just would not have worked for me.0
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The way you are eating is giving you wayyy too little calcium. It will be disastrous for your skeleton if you do not include more dairy. There is no way your teenagers can eat as you do and they shouldn't! How will they get strong bones? I suggest you give up on the idea of becoming a vegan, it's just too extreme. Start feeding those boys real roast chicken, healthy pasta with light cheese sauce and veggies, and salads, and desserts with calcium like pudding and yummy fruits like baked apples, and you will all be better off.0
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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.
If we didn't like what my mother made, we didn't have to eat it, but we sure as heck weren't getting anything else for dinner. Her standard line was "you know how to make peanut butter and jelly.". Even if we were having a stubborn night and not eating what she made, we were not excused from being at the family dinner table either.0 -
Yes!! This is the hardest part of parenting for me! My kids are McDonalds, pizza, meat and potatoes addicts.
Our fussy eater is a grown man--meat, potatoes, corn, green beans, white bread (HAS to be white bread), and peanut butter. That's when he's not having a whole large meatlovers' pizza or McDonald's. And he does like Spam.0 -
I cook. They eat what I make. They beg for junk because their friends get it but I just don't cave. My youngest is picky. She hates fish and rice. I don't make it alot but when I do she has to try it. That's the rule. She's not going to starve. She'll eat it when she's hungry enough.0
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