Not everyone eats like me... :(

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13

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  • MandiK3
    MandiK3 Posts: 218 Member
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    it took my family some time to adjust to the new 'menu' but I Kept offering the healthy choices and soon they came around. although I try to offer somethings that may not be in my menu anymore for them and i practice self controll its all about ballance :)
  • eillamarie
    eillamarie Posts: 862 Member
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    In my opinion, whoever cooks that night makes whatever they want. I'm usually the one to cook and I try to make foods that we both will like and are healthy. But in the end, if you don't like what the cook is making then make your own damn food. However, when I have kids they will be eating what I make or nothing @ all until they are old enough to do it themselves.
  • mom2handh1975
    mom2handh1975 Posts: 224 Member
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    Well, your household may not be set up like mine but the kids eat what's put on the table or nothing at all. No fixing their own stuff or hitting the snacks. They dont eat, they dont get a snack later either (this is the older kids, my 22 month old gets exceptions but she eats anything!) Now that seems harsh but that's what has to be done not only for your own health but theirs as well. Luckily, my husband eats whatever is put on the table but I do know that some husbands are not that easy.

    ^^^ LOVE this! That's called "parenting" and not enough people do it any more. :heart:
  • Dtho5159
    Dtho5159 Posts: 1,054 Member
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    Im in that boat.. Its not that they don't want to eat like me, they really need calories. Both my kids are only in the 10th percentile for weight (they're 7 and almost 5) and their pedi told me to keep food out for them at all times so they can snack all day. My husband is 5'8 and 138lb so he really needs to eat too. If they eat what i do, they don't eat enough calories. I essentially have to cook double everyday because of this.
  • trud72
    trud72 Posts: 1,912 Member
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    If you want to "turn the household" do it slowly but just not totally! :wink:

    start adding more veggies in a bolognese or lasagne as well as the other stuff for instance swap 1 thing a month and you will get there! :wink:
    good luck x
  • ardisia32
    ardisia32 Posts: 26 Member
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    Well, your household may not be set up like mine but the kids eat what's put on the table or nothing at all. No fixing their own stuff or hitting the snacks. They dont eat, they dont get a snack later either (this is the older kids, my 22 month old gets exceptions but she eats anything!) Now that seems harsh but that's what has to be done not only for your own health but theirs as well. Luckily, my husband eats whatever is put on the table but I do know that some husbands are not that easy.

    This is how I was raised, and I don't think my upbringing was harsh at all. We were expected to eat what was put in front of us -- especially when we were visiting other people's homes. Whining about it wasn't allowed either.
  • RobinvdM
    RobinvdM Posts: 634 Member
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    I went through this exact same thing at the start of my weight loss adventure, it is still an ongoing thing but not as much. I have tried to stay flexible with what I buy and cook however the rule of the house is:

    If I am buying the food, and I am cooking the food, you best be eating what's put on the table or go hungry.

    Hubby eats like a horse with tapeworm, but at least he is eating healthier foods (whole grain breads, pasta, etc) leaner meats, more poultry, less pork and beef (as long as there is meat on his plate he is happy.) The kids whined at first, but since neither felt like cooking or buying their own food out of their weekly paycheck they shut up eventually.

    Just figure out what it is you want, explain to the people in your life as nicely as possible what it is you are looking for in terms of food support, and then explain to them what you are going to do and then do it. There will be groaning and gnashing of teeth, but ignore it. They'll adjust - or starve >.>
  • L_jo
    L_jo Posts: 19 Member
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    You make the food, You make the Menu :) Are your kids old enough to make themselves food? If not then tell them they have no Choice. Hubby don't like it, tell him to Pick up something while he's out. lol. Maybe I'm kind of a brat that way. There were some good suggestions on here though. Making the things you like, in a healthier version. You have options, you can do it! good luck! :)
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
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    Well, your household may not be set up like mine but the kids eat what's put on the table or nothing at all. No fixing their own stuff or hitting the snacks. They dont eat, they dont get a snack later either (this is the older kids, my 22 month old gets exceptions but she eats anything!) Now that seems harsh but that's what has to be done not only for your own health but theirs as well. Luckily, my husband eats whatever is put on the table but I do know that some husbands are not that easy.

    ^^^ LOVE this! That's called "parenting" and not enough people do it any more. :heart:

    Very different parenting style to let your kids starve. My grandma used to do that, but it's NOT for me. If they don't like spinach mixed in with their ground beef (one of the meals my son didn't like) then he is smart enough and independent enough to find some healthy food that he does like. Starving is just as bad as filling up on sugar, in my opinion.
  • Marigenous
    Marigenous Posts: 57
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    I agree with most of the posters above. If you're the one in charge of food purchasing and preparation, it's your call. Also, for your kids, getting used to healthy food and realistic portion sizes will be good for them in the long run. Though they might not be happy about it now, it'll make them a lot more likely to eat well as adults and not have to deal with weight or diet related problems.
    There are lots of websites and cookbooks specifically about healthier versions of kid-friendly foods. Foods like burritos, chicken fingers, pizza, and alphabet soup are favourites with a lot of children (and adult men in my experience) but you can easily sub out bad ingredients for better ones. For example, you can replace the pepperoni on a homemade pizza with chunks of leftover chicken, use a low-fat cheese, and add a lot of vegetables at toppings. Burritos and alphabet soup are also really easy ways to add more vegetables while still being a fun meal. Also, keep some treats in the diet so that the family doesn't rebel against a sudden lack of dessert, but make dessert things like an apple oat-crisp instead of icecream.
    Another suggestion to help with the children's cooperation is to include them in the cooking process. My mum went on a health kick when I was little and I remember this being one of the ways that she got my sister and I to be a little more open to the new "weird" foods.
    Good luck :)
  • thr33martins
    thr33martins Posts: 192 Member
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    I am so glad I joined MFP! You guys give great advice.

    I just wanted to add, that if the fried foods and other high fat/carb/sugar foods that have been your family's staples have you now wanting to lose weight, then it stands to reason that those same habits will eventually take a toll on your family. It is your responsibility as the mom to help your children be as healthy as possible, so bring them in on the process of *change* in your house. Have them sit with you while making the grocery list, and give everyone a night of the week to pick the meal, with the stipulation that it must include some lean protein and veggies. Limit starches and fats, and do some research that helps them understand how non-nutritious foods will affect their bodies in the long-term.

    In order to lose weight, we all have to go through the educational process. Take your family with you on your journey! Good luck!
  • 2012asv
    2012asv Posts: 702 Member
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    Honestly, it is hard. You have to find ways to make healthy food taste good so the others will like it too. Fried food for example, there are alternate methods like baking that turn out equally as delicious.

    Trial and error!!! Good luck and don't give up!
  • Ms_Jae
    Ms_Jae Posts: 36 Member
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    To sort of reiterate what the others were saying, I think you have a couple different options.

    The first thing, is yes, if you're the cook in the family, then you get to choose what groceries are bought and what meals are served. I do not make separate meals for my hubby and kids, but rather make meals with options. For example, I'll make turkey chili (everyone likes) and I'll eat mine with a side salad, and the rest of the family may add cheese, sour cream or tortilla chips. Or, I'll make tacos and have all my toppings on a bed of greens (which I love) and they'll have theirs in shells. If I make pasta sauce, I'll serve mine over spaghetti squash (again, which I love) and they will have theirs on regular pasta. With that in mind, I don't COOK anything I won't eat. If they want something else, it has to come out of a box or a bag or they have to cook it themselves.

    Second, there are some delicious ways to make healthy food. Check out Cooking Light magazine or website or skinnytaste.com. You can bake a lot of the things that are typically fried, including "fried" chicken and baked fries. I'll bet you'll find a ton of options that everyone will like.

    For me the trick is to eat less of the "filler" like pasta and breads, and focus more on the veggies. I eat pizza and all kinds of regular foods, but make sure at least half my plate is fruit and/or veg. You gotta make your menu fit your lifestyle and preferences, because otherwise it will always be a temporary fix.

    thank you for the suggestion! I like the skinnytaste.com website. one of my struggles is that I too am a picky eater so I'm trying a lot of knew things but just haven't quite got the nack just yet.
  • jynxxxed
    jynxxxed Posts: 1,010 Member
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    Personally I just pick staples that my boyfriend and I both enjoy and opt for healthier versions. We both like hamburgers, so we purchase it lean. We both enjoy pasta, I go for whole grain. We enjoy sweets, I bake healthier versions.

    Baked fish, chicken, etc. Sometimes his chicken will be breaded and mine will just have some lemon pepper tossed on it so nobody is really making two separate meals, but we both get something we enjoy. I eat smaller portions of the starchy sides and bigger portions of the veggies.

    It's very possible to make it work without you or your family feeling deprived. Portion control here is key, though. Weigh everything.
  • klacount77
    klacount77 Posts: 270 Member
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    Have you tried converting the unhealthy stuff they like into something that you can eat and they'll still like? For example, make "oven fried chicken" instead of frying chicken the traditional way, etc. Something to consider. :)

    Thank you. you know I acutally forgot about that. Thanks!

    This was going to be my suggestion too. My family loves pastas and Mexican food, so instead of preparing traditional versions of it, we use eat spaghetti squash instead of enriched pasta, we use a lot of spinach tortillas instead of flour or wheat, fresh veggie sauces instead of canned. It tasted a little different, but for the most part, everyone loved not giving up their favorite foods and I don't have to cook two meals.
  • bladskie
    bladskie Posts: 3
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    Perfect! This is what my husband and I did when we went on the diet wagon. It was helpful to have him on my side, though. No doubt about that. The kids found that they actually liked most of the food we ate and I added some extra carbs for them because they are very athletic and needed the extra calories. Overall, it worked out. Sometimes, you just have to stick with it and unless your family is very young, they're not going to starve to death.
    :)
    I can sympathize. It's not easy cooking for a house full of picky folks. It's no fun to cook the healthy meal and then listen to everyone complain. But I did it. My husband is fairly picky, but even he would rather eat what I offer than make his own. Most of the time. So that's what I started doing finally. I cook one meal that I can eat within my plan. I'll add on sides that the kids really like (mashed potatoes and such, which I don't eat) to go with the meal. But first and foremost I cook for me. I take their likes and dislikes into consideration-DH hates bell peppers, so I make a portion without if that's part of the meal, etc. All in all, I find making exceptions like this to one meal is much easier than actually fixing two.

    Here's an example of what I do:

    DH likes chicken teriyaki, particularly breaded. I like grilled chicken. So I make a homemade teriyaki sauce, marinade the chicken in advance, grill it, and add the sauce on the side in case he wants extra. For sides, I provide steamed broccoli and a salad. These are what I like. My oldest son doesn't care for either usually, so I add corn or mashed potatoes to go with. Sometimes I'll provide a side of steamed rice, too. I don't usually eat it, but they all love it.

    In this way I've provided a healthy entree that appeals to his taste, sides for everyone to enjoy, and it's just one meal.

    HTH
  • Marksman21
    Marksman21 Posts: 126 Member
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    My family had a saying they nailed on me when I spoke to them about this a while ago. I was trying to eat normally, regualr diet, my parents were working carb diets. Making two meals made no sense. However, as the phrase went "Thee who b**hes, switches."

    Be prepared to take over cooking for the family, since it may be the only way for the chance for you to get the meals you need and keep them happily fed. If they're not picky on diets, you got a lot more leeway than I did.
  • claritarejoice
    claritarejoice Posts: 461 Member
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    I love this thread!

    This was a huge problem for me. My husband is quite thin, athletic, has a fast metabolism and has trouble keeping weight on, and I'm the opposite. When I first got married I gained weight because I had to cook a lot for him, and then I would eat the same thing as him, which wasn't good for me. But I didn't think it made sense to make a completely different meal for myself, so I felt stuck. Recently I discovered something I am so excited about. I will make the same topping (chicken, sauce, seafood, beans, veggies) for both of us, but put his over a huge pile of rice and put mine over salad greens. I love it. Also I have stopped eating red meat, but I buy natural pre-cooked sausage for him which I can easily cut up and add to his serving of any meal, so I don't have to cook something different for both of us.
  • ravengirl1611
    ravengirl1611 Posts: 285 Member
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    Well, your household may not be set up like mine but the kids eat what's put on the table or nothing at all. No fixing their own stuff or hitting the snacks. They dont eat, they dont get a snack later either (this is the older kids, my 22 month old gets exceptions but she eats anything!) Now that seems harsh but that's what has to be done not only for your own health but theirs as well. Luckily, my husband eats whatever is put on the table but I do know that some husbands are not that easy.

    ^^^ LOVE this! That's called "parenting" and not enough people do it any more. :heart:

    Very different parenting style to let your kids starve. My grandma used to do that, but it's NOT for me. If they don't like spinach mixed in with their ground beef (one of the meals my son didn't like) then he is smart enough and independent enough to find some healthy food that he does like. Starving is just as bad as filling up on sugar, in my opinion.

    When I was a kid and it's how I raised my kids was it's a home not a restaurant - I make one dinner and you eat whats on the table or you get nothing till breakfast - no dessert, no snacks - nada - There isnt a child or adult for that matter on the planet - that died of starvation from missing one meal. Fortunately my kids were really good eaters. How we worked around the "but I really really dont like that" - the rule is you have to try something cooked at least 3 different ways on 3 different occasions before you get to say you dont like something - for example my youngest loathes fish in any form (he's tried it multiple ways) - so - whenever we would have fish I always made sure to have an extra veggie or something - he had potatoes & veggies just no fish - but he didnt get a separate meal - same as now - my kitchen, my cooking - you eat my choices - however I will take suggestions and will try to accommodate those suggestions - and as others have said - make small changes and they'll never know. One thing my mom always did to trick my brother (who loved and raved about her chicken soup) she used to blend veggies and with some of the water she had cooked them in into the stock - no one ever knew just how many veggies were in that no veggies allowed (my brother's name for it) chicken noodle soup.
  • SweetTeaAndCutoffs
    SweetTeaAndCutoffs Posts: 59 Member
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    I sound really bad, but I fix dinner and if my husband doesn't want to eat it, he goes to get something else...He generally eats alot of junk and fast food and doesn't want to change his habits. I absolutely can't make two meals, as I will totally taste test his and probably eat a plate of whatever it is.

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