husband won't eat healthy

2

Replies

  • oregonzoo
    oregonzoo Posts: 4,251 Member
    I eat mostly veggies till dinner. That way I can fix whatever my family would like. Find compromise.

    Just because this is what you are into doesn't mean he has to be.

    I'd much rather hear "that was a great dinner babe" rather than have some argument about veggies and French fries.
    There are ways you can make it work.
    I promise.
  • kxlly
    kxlly Posts: 21
    If my husband wants something unhealthy, I make it for him. It takes what--another 10-15 minutes? To me, that's not big deal. I don't force my dietary choices on him. (As a result, I think he's far more amenable to eating the way I do, since I'm not forcing his hand. Real choice is a powerful thing.)
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I would also add that "healthy" is a relative term. A lot of people get stuck on healthy being nothing but veggies and fruit...no fat, etc when in reality, those people that are stuck in that low fat/no fat, this is bad and that is bad mindset are often the ones not getting proper nutrition.

    I'm just sayin'...maybe your ideal of healthy is too restrictive for him. I do concur though that if he wants something you're not preparing then he should make it himself.
  • acpgee
    acpgee Posts: 8,016 Member
    Skip fries and make roast wedges instead. Cut potatoes into wedges, spray with a little olive oil, salt if you use it, and roast at 200C for around 30 minutes.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    My husband won't eat broccoli, so I make a bag of mixed vegetables and let him pick out the stuff he'll eat while I eat everything else. Or I make a vegetable we'll both eat, like green beans, carrots or peppers.
  • concordancia
    concordancia Posts: 5,320 Member
    Skip fries and make roast wedges instead. Cut potatoes into wedges, spray with a little olive oil, salt if you use it, and roast at 200C for around 30 minutes.

    Or do this with any veggie. We love our green beans this way!
  • RobinV_Seattle
    RobinV_Seattle Posts: 191 Member
    I assume you're dating a 12 year-old boy, and that's why you're cooking his dinner. In which case, fries are microwaveable, and even an adolescent can push a power button.

    This! :drinker:
  • likeschocolate
    likeschocolate Posts: 368 Member
    Talk to him and find an acceptable compromise.

    QFT
  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    My husband is much the same he will not eat 90% of the things I make if he doesnt like it he eats the crap he wants only problem with that is I hate having that stuff in the house x.x
  • jofjltncb6
    jofjltncb6 Posts: 34,415 Member
    Agree - whomever is cooking is king. If you don't like it, cook! But really, we've come up with lots of tasty, healthy meals the whole family loves.

    But with this^ logic, I guess he should have total control over how the money is spent.* And I can't imagine that idea would be nearly as popular as the "he can cook his own food!" idea is.



    (* Assuming that he works outside the home and brings in the income...which seems like a reasonable assumption since she seems to be tasked with the cooking responsibilities. Yes, there are exceptions, and no, those exceptions won't invalidate my point.)



    ETA: Oh, and OP, discuss it with your husband. Will probably be a lot more effective than whatever advice you receive on the MFP forums.
  • vorgas
    vorgas Posts: 741 Member
    I wasnt there when the resolution was made, but 'getting healthy' doesnt necessarily mean switching to bland steamed vegetables.

    Maybe be proactive about what he was imagining when he made that commitment. Maybe sauteed brocclli will work. Pan seared carrots with dill, a dash of honey, and a splash of white wine tastes way better than raw or mushy steamed ones.

    Maybe all he had in mind was portion control, which a great many people here follow. Lots of folks have no problem with fries if it fits their macros.

    Guess what Im saying is it sounds like you agreed onthe results but havent really discussed the method.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I wonder, if the reverse were happening, and he did the bulk of the cooking and made french fries or pizza, how many women would say, "Well, if he's the one cooking, either eat it or make your own." Or would he be an insensitive, unsupportive git for not catering to her needs and whims?

    I'm not saying eating healthy is a whim, but there's a world of vegetables out there, and there's a lot just as healthy as broccoli. It shouldn't be the sword you die on.
  • BlueObsidian
    BlueObsidian Posts: 297 Member
    I assume you're dating a 12 year-old boy, and that's why you're cooking his dinner. In which case, fries are microwaveable, and even an adolescent can push a power button.

    This! :drinker:

    Or, some of us had adult conversations with our partners and split up the household responsibilities in a way that works for both of us. Seriously, why do people feel the need to judge if one person takes on the responsibility of cooking for the family? Get a life.
  • LisaDunn01
    LisaDunn01 Posts: 173 Member
    Try sweet potato fries - much healthier (especially if you make your own) and handles the "fry" craving. :-)
  • Lisa1971
    Lisa1971 Posts: 3,069 Member
    If he doesnt want vegetables, get him to make his own fries. Atleast then its not extra work for you

    YEP! I'd tell him if he doesn't make his fries then he doesn't eat. Simple as that.
  • astrampe
    astrampe Posts: 2,169 Member
    I wonder, if the reverse were happening, and he did the bulk of the cooking and made french fries or pizza, how many women would say, "Well, if he's the one cooking, either eat it or make your own." Or would he be an insensitive, unsupportive git for not catering to her needs and whims?

    I'm not saying eating healthy is a whim, but there's a world of vegetables out there, and there's a lot just as healthy as broccoli. It shouldn't be the sword you die on.

    Agree.....and really - as much as I love veggies, I know what I would do if my fries are replaced with steamed broccoli.....:noway:
  • ChaseAlder
    ChaseAlder Posts: 804 Member
    I have to make him something for dinner also to make him happy

    This is where you lost me. If this were my husband, he'd be making his own ****ing french fries.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,337 Member
    If he doesnt want vegetables, get him to make his own fries. Atleast then its not extra work for you

    As a husband I agree. I want to eat healthy and count my calories. My wife does not. I make all my own meals. She makes the meals for her and our son. Not that they are unhealthy, but I prefer much more control of how much I eat. I only cook as much as I will eat so no leftovers. If he can't be bothered to cook fries for himself, he needs to man up and eat the veggies.
  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    My husband eats whatever I make. I know if it wasn't his favorite that he'll eat a small portion and immediately eat a bowl of cereal after dinner. Fine with me!
  • 3foldchord
    3foldchord Posts: 2,918 Member
    I assume you're dating a 12 year-old boy, and that's why you're cooking his dinner. In which case, fries are microwaveable, and even an adolescent can push a power button.

    This! :drinker:

    Or, some of us had adult conversations with our partners and split up the household responsibilities in a way that works for both of us. Seriously, why do people feel the need to judge if one person takes on the responsibility of cooking for the family? Get a life.

    I am the 'stay at home mom', it is my job to cook. If I worked outside the house we'd take turns. Sometimes I make a meal that I pretty much know ONLY I will like, but make sure there are easy to fix options for the rest of the family, or make a few sides they like. Sometimes I make a big buffet with everything everyone likes. sometimes we all just get our own, sometimes I make meals for them, that they love and have a small amount and get something 'healthier'
    My 16 yr old has a LOT of very Strong preferences and cooks his own meals most nights, but still eats with us.
  • AnnieMontes28
    AnnieMontes28 Posts: 11
    well I understand this one, it's not always so easy to make a guy do everything 50/50 but you could at least make lower fat lower calorie options of what he eats. Bake what you normally fry, use the sprays instead of oils, use low fat dairy products like milk, cheeses, sour cream etc. I have done this with my kids who are picky eaters and were not ok with the big changes at first but it has gone over well :) look up recipes online too...
  • ldrosophila
    ldrosophila Posts: 7,512 Member
    Unless he is a total A-hole, it will rub off on him. He needs to see your commitment to this, and you need to talk to him about this and tell him that this is important and you cant succeed with temptations.

    I live with Mr. Picky never touch anything green 8 Dr. Peppers a day. He is down to diet only, will eat a romaine salad every night, NSV he now puts carrots on his salad, and has lost 60lbs.

    You have to make the initiative. I often cook two seperate dishes. Usually that means I just add extra vegetables to the dish and then I portion control out my serving. Once that is gone off you plate you dont eat anymore and you dont pick off of his.
  • spennato
    spennato Posts: 360 Member
    Well I would say tell your husband this is whats for dinner.....and if he wants something else let him fend for himself.
  • ElyseL1
    ElyseL1 Posts: 504 Member
    my husband doesnt cook because he would burn down the house. i can get him to eat more by using recipes that are flavorful (try skinnytaste), also i wouldnt blame him for not wanting to eat plain steamed broccoli, i think its gross too. I'd try a medley or a side salad with extra veggies tossed in with an olive oil vinaigrette.
  • Rejuvn8
    Rejuvn8 Posts: 74
    Well I would say tell your husband this is whats for dinner.....and if he wants something else let him fend for himself.

    I'm not sure I would say it quite that way LOL! However, I very much agree with the point. You are making an effort to better yourself by eating healthy which sets a terrific example for those around you! It is not as though you are trying to convince your husband to take up smoking or drugs for Pete's sake! You are implementing a lifestyle change that would be good for anyone in your household, right? Why try to navigate around that fact? I say to go ahead and fix the meals in a healthy way you think he may be responsive to and if it doesn't work for him, save the left overs for your lunch the next day. He will not starve! He is a grown up and will make his food decisions as he sees fit :-)
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    Even my teenager knows that if he doesn't want to eat what was made for dinner he can either a) starve or b) make something else himself.
  • megsmom2
    megsmom2 Posts: 2,362 Member
    I assume you're dating a 12 year-old boy, and that's why you're cooking his dinner. In which case, fries are microwaveable, and even an adolescent can push a power button.

    Thank you.
  • LindaGTaylor
    LindaGTaylor Posts: 260 Member
    Just because I make a decision to eat differently doesn't mean everyone else who eats my cooking has to as well. I tend to make meals that I know everyone will like. If I want a side that someone doesn't like, I'll make another side in addition that I know they like.

    Also, there are ways to make low-cal/healthy dinner options yummy and appealing to everyone. You just have to find them. Talk about what you both like and use ingredients that will make the dinner fit better into your day.


    This is what I have started doing, since we both need to eat better...
  • KaleidoscopeEyes1056
    KaleidoscopeEyes1056 Posts: 2,996 Member
    I usually make something different for my boyfriend because he doesn't like my healthy food, but the only reason I do that is because he's disabled and cannot cook for himself. That being said, if I were with an able-bodied man who did not want to eat the same food as I do, that b!tch would be cooking for himself.
  • heidihorton
    heidihorton Posts: 110 Member
    My hubby eats what I cook, every night! There are something's he doesn't care for but we are teaching 2 children how to eat healthy by choice and that's important to both of us. Btw. Hubby is 5'6 128 lbs and could eat whatever he wants but, he loves me and supports this lifestyle for me. He has a stash of contraband items ( chocolate) he keeps to kinds I hate. Nothing feels better as a parent than having your kids healthy and happy. They now will beg for subway when I'm out of town and my hubby thinks its funny when given the choice of any takeout they now choose subway on their own! Makes me proud! Hold firm and talk with him about your needs and his choice to help!

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