Trying to teach someone how to cook/shop/understand food

I've seen diabetic cookbooks at the library. Maybe grab one and find some easy recipes and compile them in a book or something for her. Involve her in every process (planning, shopping, cooking) and show her that it isn't THAT bad or hard to do, she just has to really pay attention to whats going on, and your grandpa too. God forbid if something happened to her and she couldn't cook the meals he should know how to get by too. My gpa was in a wheelchair & had use of his arms & hands and still would cook from time to time because he felt it was important to do it.

She'll be fine. I think it's that generation, my mum is the same but she didn't kill my brother or me and I'm assuming your mum/dad are alright.

Not sure it has anything to do with the generation. My mom is from that generation and is an awesome cook and bakes like made. Me on the only hand I had no interest in learning when I was growing up. Finally figured things out when I moved out on my own. :laugh:

Good luck, you have your hands full. I think your Grams is going to be over whelmed for awhile since there is soooo much that she has to learn and relatively quickly for her husbands and your sisters sake. I hope she is thankful for all your help. I wish you the best.

I don't agree at all with the "she is too set in her ways" comments. I was set in my ways too - that's why I go really really fat.
With diabetes to consider, no matter how set in your ways, if you don't clean up your diet you shorten your life expectancy. Simple.

Crock pot / slow cookers are sensational. Easy, simple recepies, throw it all in a pot, done.

A lot of advise on this site for weight loss is to make the changes to your diet and lifestyle slowly. Big changes make people freak out and quit. Introduce her to 2 easy recipes. Sit with her and go through the ingredients - cook it together while you are there, that way you overcome the "I won't like that" fear. Ask her to include each of those recipes once a week.

Sounds like she needs to build her confidence in the kitchen. Slow and steady. Next time you see her, introduce another recipe.

And talk her out of looking at the macro nutrient content of each food. She struggles to cook, she is going to struggle with the science of food. Encourage her to focus instead on using ingredients that are as close to their natural form as possible. Fresh meat and fish, beans, eggs, fruits, vegetables, whole grains.

Good Luck!!!!