Does your husband cook or grocery shop? I ask because my husband does neither (which is fine by me!) Anyway, like your husband, mine is not exactly on the Paleo bandwagon, but since he doesn't cook or shop, he pretty much eats what I eat, which is Paleo/Primal. Even though he still mocks me a bit for the lifestyle (to which I say, "Whatever"), he has really been gobbling up the stuff I've been making (while occasionally pining for a piece of bread). I feel like if you just make delicious Paleo stuff and don't say "THIS IS PALEO," your husband and kids may barely notice. And, if need be, maybe give them a piece of bread with the meal (I know, heresy, but still probably a move in the right direction with all the other good stuff you're serving them...)

I don't have kids so please take what I say with a grain of salt because it might not be the best advice.

I feel that with kids talking to them might open them up to change. You seem like a great mom who is trying very hard to get her kids healthy so please don't think I am saying you don't talk to your kids, I'm just saying in general. I understand you are doing primal/paleo for yourself and don't want to limit them but I agree with other people who say if it isn't in the house then they won't be able to eat it. Don't buy the really bad things that they over indulge on. Perhaps take them shopping with you but before hand make sure they know they are allowed to pick their own snacks for the week but say 80-90% have to be healthier alternatives (like fruit/nuts or something) or before you go shopping look up a few paleo/primal snack recipes that have ingredients you think they might eat and give them a choice between a few recipes to choose just one they they can help make on their own for the week (perhaps offer a few good ones and maybe a paleo 'treat' one but then their other snacks for the week must be healthier things) If their diets at home are really good then them going to a friends house once in awhile and having something they wouldn't normally have I feel like isn't a big deal. Even trying to get them involved in the actual meal making might make them appreciate what goes into making a healthy meal and they might feel more willing to eat something that they have made or helped make but I guess that depends on the kid and if they are interested in doing that sort of thing.

That being said I also think if they are teenagers then you should talk to them about their nutrition how it can affect them in the future but also bring them on board with the food. I understand they are kids and I believe there is a limit to how much 'freedom' you should give your kids on certain things, because well they are kids, but they are also people with their own likes and dislikes and opinions especially at the teenager age. However if you are setting the example with your eating, even if you are allowing them pasta and such, if they see people around them making healthier choices and are given healthier options that they enjoy and they know WHY they should be making healthier decisions (more energy for dance, getting your other sons weight up perhaps there is something he has been wanting to do but feels like he can't because he underweight like a sport or something?) then perhaps they will start making better decisions outside of the house as well.

I feel like all you can do is control what they eat at home (and when you go out with them of course) but they need to be educated so that when they are out on their own (school or friends houses) they can look at what's offered to them and try to make a better decision. It isn't always going to work though I feel like even with food choices kids can feel peer pressured to eat something since their friends are as well but that's where the education part comes in again. Having them know occasional treats is alright but too much is an overindulgence.

Again, this is just my thoughts on what I would hope I would be able to do with my own children when I do have them. I know kids, especially teenagers, can be difficult and everything isn't so cut and dry but these are just some of my opinions on the matter. Good luck and I hope you can make things work out!

Does your husband cook or grocery shop? I ask because my husband does neither (which is fine by me!) Anyway, like your husband, mine is not exactly on the Paleo bandwagon, but since he doesn't cook or shop, he pretty much eats what I eat, which is Paleo/Primal. Even though he still mocks me a bit for the lifestyle (to which I say, "Whatever"), he has really been gobbling up the stuff I've been making (while occasionally pining for a piece of bread). I feel like if you just make delicious Paleo stuff and don't say "THIS IS PALEO," your husband and kids may barely notice. And, if need be, maybe give them a piece of bread with the meal (I know, heresy, but still probably a move in the right direction with all the other good stuff you're serving them...)

Agreed~!

I don't really consider myself "Paleo" but I eat closer to that than anything else. I eat 100% gluten free and about 95% grain free (only rice/rice flour or the rare corn chip if at a Mexican restaurant--and I pay for it later!). My husband is gluten free/peanut free (allergy) and we both are dairy free. I prefer only natural sugars but will use regular for occasional treats (like birthday cakes). Our three year old has no allergy/dietary/other issues, but I will only make foods that everyone in the house can eat. We eat pretty regular dinners (roast and potatoes (gold for hub/sweet for me), taco or fajita salad (corn chips added for hubs), spaghetti (on spaghetti squash), chicken strips ("breaded" with seasoned almond flour and baked), fish, loads of grilled meats. Hubby usually eats potatoes as a side and I eat sweet potatoes and roasted veg --carrots, beets, mushrooms, cauliflower, asparagus, etc. My son eats pretty much all of it. We do keep a few frozen convenience items for him in case we make something too spicy or dinner is late. The frozen items are all gluten free junk (fish sticks, nitrate free corn dogs), but they are eaten on occasion and I think it is fine for him to eat them now and then, they are not the bulk of his diet. He loves nitrate free hot dogs (no bun, he doesn't like bread and we don't buy it) with something to dip them in.

For snacks we still buy chips (crisps). For hubby we buy corn chips and we all (though less often for me) eat potato chips (ingredients: potatoes, oil, salt only). Hubby is in love with Eat Your Vegetables chips (Sea Salt version). We buy them here at Costco and they are super yummy (gluten free, not grain free) and though they are a bit more salty than I would like and processed, they are better alternative than many of the regular SAD snacks. We snack on fruit/berries, lots of dried fruits for the boys, my son is addicted to fruit leather, and my husband and son both eat popcorn. I make coconut milk based ice creams and fruit/yogurt popsicles and keep them in the freezer. I make grain free cookies that are so good no one minds that they aren't what we used to eat. Are these snacks Paleo? No, some are, not all, but they are all better than the SAD alternatives.

My son still gets junk at his grandparents like goldfish crackers and oreo cookies. I don't stress too much about it. I know that when he goes to school I won't be able to monitor everything he eats. I am still trying to figure out how to have more control over his diet while he is in daycare and I know that will be an issue as he continues on through school. For now I make sure that what is at home is not crap. When my step daughter was home, we had a policy of "if you don't like the food we provide, you buy your own at your expense".

All that being said, my husband is in total agreement with me on what we all eat. We make menus together and alternate shopping each week. It would be harder if he were not on board. In your case, you said your husband would not allow them to be Paleo, but probably you and he should have a conversation about your concerns and come up with a plan together and then include your kids in the discussion. Make whatever you decide on gradual and communicate with them. If you force it on them they will resist the harder. And if they have an occasional Chinese takeaway, don't sweat it, just try to make it the exception not the rule.

There are so many resources available online for snack recipes. I know everyone doesn't agree, but personally I love Pinterest for finding and organizing my gluten and grain free recipes. I have them divided into meals, sides, desserts, etc and if I make something and we don't like it so much, I delete it. Honestly, there are so many things I would never have thought of without it. Anyone that wants to follow me on there to check out my recipe boards, just message me and I'll send my user name. Good luck, OP, I wish you the best. All of us have different opinions but in the end they are your kids and you will know what is best for them.