mother's and wives do you cook separately for the family?
Salsabia
Posts: 7 Member
I find myself making 2 meals sometimes. My 3 year old won't eat many veggies. Husband will eat my low cab dinners but she usually won't. Last night I made them spaghetti and I ate something entirely different.
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I have a husband, a 13 year old stepson, and a 2 year old. I start all of our dinners the same and then take a portion out for myself. For example I would take some of the ground beef after cooking it for myself before putting in the spaghetti sauce for everyone else. Then either throw it on a salad, or if its a decent amount just put some cheese and lettuce on it. I do that with a lot of things like sloppy joes, casseroles, spaghetti, etc. Or I make something like grilled chicken or whatever and then add a extra side to their plates if its not something I mix in with noodles/sauce.
ETA: My toddler won't eat many veggies anymore either. It's like he flipped the switch. I mash in sweet potatoes to any type of pasta and I also serve him the protein portion of the meal before any type of carb side. He would only eat the carb part if I let him which won't keep him full and although he is not overweight, he is higher than average.
Not sure if fruits are a problem, but I like to give him smoothies which can hold him over like a meal. I'm tempted to throw a little spinach in there to sneak in more veggies.0 -
I try to do the same as MelRC117, but it there are definitely times when I eat something completely different. Mom to a 14 yo and 5 yo, and they, as well as hubby, love their carbs. So I try to cook something we all can eat at least part of, but it's a challenge at times. Last night was tacos, I made a taco salad; few nights before they had spaghetti, meatballs and fresh Italian bread, I had meatballs on spinach. Today we're home due to the weather, and they had fresh, gooey and delicious looking cinnamon buns, while I had...a boiled egg and some pepperoni slices.
It's challenging at times, especially when I make home made pizza or mashed potatoes for them. I will sometimes take a bite, and usually spit it right out after realizing that it doesn't taste as good as I expected!
I'd certainly like to get the family to limit there carbs a bit, but right now I have to focus on my own woe and really have some long time success before trying that.
Good luck.0 -
Nope. I usually make a starch side and they eat that and hit the bread stash.
Last night was meatloaf, I added salad to my plate, and stuck potatoes in oven for carb people in my house. Carb people also had bread, bananas for dessert.
I stick to simple foods, chicken, baked, steak, burgers. This makes everyone happy, especially the picky eaters who won't eat sauces or casseroles anyway. My daughter used to be the pickiest eater, I would give her cut up chicken, baked sweet potato, apples...That is plenty of food for a toddler. And switch things up...sure, I made mac and cheese, and I just would not eat any. The other night, they all wanted frozen pizza, fine, I made them pizza and nd had a salad myself. That is as far as I go for separate dinners. ..and frozen pizza is a treat for them.0 -
You're speaking to my soul - yes, I have to make 3-4 different meals each night. I have one that only eats pizza....period. I have taught him to bake - he makes his own now. My parents are with us for a while - my dad won't eat cheese. My mother only eats tomatoes and cheetos - makes me nuts. The rest don't eat like me - but I try to make some things like y'all do - and just have it with a salad or veggie. Such a pain in the butt!! Tonight we are having burgers - I'll make all the stuff - then they can fix it they way they like it. I do wish there was an easier way. (If only I knew the word "NO!") It's getting expensive!0
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softblondechick wrote: »Nope. I usually make a starch side and they eat that and hit the bread stash.
This is what goes on in my house.0 -
baconslave wrote: »softblondechick wrote: »Nope. I usually make a starch side and they eat that and hit the bread stash.
This is what goes on in my house.
Same, though it's rice or potatoes, since we don't keep bread around.
Well...that's not totally true. We do often end up making dinner separately for my son, but that's mainly because our schedules don't line up right now. His bedtime 7pm, and we're often not starting dinner until 5:30-6, so if the meal takes an hour to cook, he'd have no time to eat. As a result, he often gets leftovers or something else that can be thrown together quickly. When we can all eat the same meal together, everyone has the same things available to them. They can choose whether or not to eat any given item, but I refuse to cook two meals like that.0 -
Yes. Sometimes three different meals if I am preparing meals for my parents, myself and my son. Lol. Kind of used to it by now. There are usually some crossovers; but there are always separate things for all due to allergies, intolerances and dietary choices.
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The teens in my house were always welcome to load up on extra PB&J sandwiches or cereal, but catering to six people is not gonna happen! Mama does not run a restaurant.
You guys that do, created your own monster. No one ever died from eating rotisserie chicken, broccoli with cheese sauce, and a baked potato. That was my dinner the other night, no potato.0 -
softblondechick wrote: »The teens in my house were always welcome to load up on extra PB&J sandwiches or cereal, but catering to six people is not gonna happen! Mama does not run a restaurant.
You guys that do, created your own monster. No one ever died from eating rotisserie chicken, broccoli with cheese sauce, and a baked potato. That was my dinner the other night, no potato.
My son would die, as all dairy products close off his airway ... That's just one of his allergies ... I'm glad your family doesn't have any life threatening allergies 0 -
softblondechick wrote: »The teens in my house were always welcome to load up on extra PB&J sandwiches or cereal, but catering to six people is not gonna happen! Mama does not run a restaurant.
You guys that do, created your own monster. No one ever died from eating rotisserie chicken, broccoli with cheese sauce, and a baked potato. That was my dinner the other night, no potato.
My son would die, as all dairy products close off his airway ... That's just one of his allergies ... I'm glad your family doesn't have any life threatening allergies
Well, I think that Soft was simply referring to catering to the picky eaters, not avoiding life threatening allergens. ;-) I seriously feel for those of you who have to be so very vigilant regarding food allergens. My sister is just such a mama, with a daughter who is so deathly allergic to nuts that even a kiss goodnight from mom or dad after they've eaten something containing nuts can mean a trip to the ER. Not a cool thing for a family, and especially a child, to have to deal with.
Having said that, though, I'm also of the "I'm not running a restaurant here, folks" mentality. I'll make a meal that includes a meat and veggie I can eat and add a starch for those who have no health or weight issues.
If you don't like what's put on the table, grab some cheese and an apple and better luck tomorrow! lol0 -
softblondechick wrote: »The teens in my house were always welcome to load up on extra PB&J sandwiches or cereal, but catering to six people is not gonna happen! Mama does not run a restaurant.
You guys that do, created your own monster. No one ever died from eating rotisserie chicken, broccoli with cheese sauce, and a baked potato. That was my dinner the other night, no potato.
My son would die, as all dairy products close off his airway ... That's just one of his allergies ... I'm glad your family doesn't have any life threatening allergies
Well, I think that Soft was simply referring to catering to the picky eaters, not avoiding life threatening allergens. ;-) I seriously feel for those of you who have to be so very vigilant regarding food allergens. My sister is just such a mama, with a daughter who is so deathly allergic to nuts that even a kiss goodnight from mom or dad after they've eaten something containing nuts can mean a trip to the ER. Not a cool thing for a family, and especially a child, to have to deal with.
Having said that, though, I'm also of the "I'm not running a restaurant here, folks" mentality. I'll make a meal that includes a meat and veggie I can eat and add a starch for those who have no health or weight issues.
If you don't like what's put on the table, grab some cheese and an apple and better luck tomorrow! lol
Ditto. I agree 100% 0 -
99.5% of the time I make myself a modified version. I've been doing this for almost 3 years so it's just natural to me.0
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I don't cook separate meals. I rarely even cook extra carbs.
They are happy to mostly eat whatever I make. My stand is that if you don't like what I'm making, you're free to have a sandwich/toast/fruit/yoghurt/whatever else you can find.
If I'm cooking something like pizza I just make myself a low carb crust and everyone else gets regular bases. They're happy to eat bolognaise sauce with sour cream and guacamole now (sometimes in a wrap) and have stopped asking about pasta.
I've found that the family has adapted and they loooooove low carb cheesecake.
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You're speaking to my soul - yes, I have to make 3-4 different meals each night. I have one that only eats pizza....period. I have taught him to bake - he makes his own now. My parents are with us for a while - my dad won't eat cheese. My mother only eats tomatoes and cheetos - makes me nuts. The rest don't eat like me - but I try to make some things like y'all do - and just have it with a salad or veggie. Such a pain in the butt!! Tonight we are having burgers - I'll make all the stuff - then they can fix it they way they like it. I do wish there was an easier way. (If only I knew the word "NO!") It's getting expensive!
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This is me too a tee, I cook three meals each night, one for a fussy 8 year old, (only eats fish fingers or chicken nuggets.) another for my older kids and usually a different meal for hubby and me. I used to love cooking, now not so much!0
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This is me too a tee, I cook three meals each night, one for a fussy 8 year old, (only eats fish fingers or chicken nuggets.) another for my older kids and usually a different meal for hubby and me. I used to love cooking, now not so much!You're speaking to my soul - yes, I have to make 3-4 different meals each night. I have one that only eats pizza....period. I have taught him to bake - he makes his own now. My parents are with us for a while - my dad won't eat cheese. My mother only eats tomatoes and cheetos - makes me nuts. The rest don't eat like me - but I try to make some things like y'all do - and just have it with a salad or veggie. Such a pain in the butt!! Tonight we are having burgers - I'll make all the stuff - then they can fix it they way they like it. I do wish there was an easier way. (If only I knew the word "NO!") It's getting expensive!
There is an "easier" way -- put your foot down. Tell them that in no uncertain terms, you're done being the short order cook. Every single one of those people that you all have mentioned are old enough to make their own food. Cook in a sort of "modular" way -- a meat, a non-starchy vegetable or two, and a starch. That way, people can eat what they choose from what's available.
Don't like it? Tough. They can make their own food, then, but you're not making it for them anymore.
This goes doubly so for the kids. Kids are only as picky as you let them be unless there's an underlying medical/physiological reason (in which case, you need to find a doctor willing to find and address that underlying cause).
And for the childish adults, don't even buy the food if it's only to cater to their pickiness. If you're buying tomatoes for burgers or salads or whatever, that's one thing, but if the only reason you buy tomatoes is because it's all your mom eats, then don't do it! She's an adult. If she's that determined to eat only tomatoes and cheetos, then she can go get them herself, or make arrangements with someone else to get them for her if she's not capable.
Your house (or at least, your kitchen, because even if it isn't your house, you're the one cooking the meal(s)), your rules. Don't let them control you.0 -
Dragonwolf wrote: »Your house (or at least, your kitchen, because even if it isn't your house, you're the one cooking the meal(s)), your rules. Don't let them control you.
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We don't have kids but I don't cook anything different for my husband and he has lost even more weight than me by eating my low carb dinners! And he doesn't eat low carb at breakfast or lunch. Not fair, right?
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Dragonwolf wrote: »This is me too a tee, I cook three meals each night, one for a fussy 8 year old, (only eats fish fingers or chicken nuggets.) another for my older kids and usually a different meal for hubby and me. I used to love cooking, now not so much!You're speaking to my soul - yes, I have to make 3-4 different meals each night. I have one that only eats pizza....period. I have taught him to bake - he makes his own now. My parents are with us for a while - my dad won't eat cheese. My mother only eats tomatoes and cheetos - makes me nuts. The rest don't eat like me - but I try to make some things like y'all do - and just have it with a salad or veggie. Such a pain in the butt!! Tonight we are having burgers - I'll make all the stuff - then they can fix it they way they like it. I do wish there was an easier way. (If only I knew the word "NO!") It's getting expensive!
There is an "easier" way -- put your foot down. Tell them that in no uncertain terms, you're done being the short order cook. Every single one of those people that you all have mentioned are old enough to make their own food. Cook in a sort of "modular" way -- a meat, a non-starchy vegetable or two, and a starch. That way, people can eat what they choose from what's available.
Don't like it? Tough. They can make their own food, then, but you're not making it for them anymore.
This goes doubly so for the kids. Kids are only as picky as you let them be unless there's an underlying medical/physiological reason (in which case, you need to find a doctor willing to find and address that underlying cause).
And for the childish adults, don't even buy the food if it's only to cater to their pickiness. If you're buying tomatoes for burgers or salads or whatever, that's one thing, but if the only reason you buy tomatoes is because it's all your mom eats, then don't do it! She's an adult. If she's that determined to eat only tomatoes and cheetos, then she can go get them herself, or make arrangements with someone else to get them for her if she's not capable.
Your house (or at least, your kitchen, because even if it isn't your house, you're the one cooking the meal(s)), your rules. Don't let them control you.
I get your sentiment and believe me - we have tried everything. (up to and including doctor visits, etc.) I can't change them - my son has had issues ever since he had his tonsils/adnoids removed - he lost his sense of smell and is very sensitive to textures. My kids do make their own meals when they don't like what I provide (except the 9 year old). As for my mother - well...she's just never going to change and thankfully this is just a visit - she doesn't live with me, but she is not capable of getting to the store, she can't drive.
Last night was a success - I made burgers with all the fixins - we just laid everything out and said - make your own plate. Now to figure out what's on the menu tonight! It's just never ending! 0 -
We share the meat when we can. I have been cooking different for hubby since he was on chemo 2 years ago. Tastes change with chemo. UGH. In order to get him to even eat anything I took food orders like a short order cook. Then I would fix some thing for me.
Now I am low carbing and he is not I usually end up fixing two meals. I do NOT want him to lose weight. It is only the two of us so it is not a big deal. My problem is getting him to realize it is ok to ask for a meal, like lasagna, for him even if I can not eat it. I am happy to fix it for him. It is MY WOE not his. It is my choice to eat this way. BUT if he were not sick I would be cooking this LCHF WOE and he would also eat it. He can not have high fat. I sneak in LC foods when in I can for him. WE have come a long way with his eating considering when he came home after surgery his meals were set out on butter pat dishes, 2 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter.0 -
As for my mother - well...she's just never going to change and thankfully this is just a visit - she doesn't live with me, but she is not capable of getting to the store, she can't drive.
"Just a visit" is still no reason to have cater to someone to that extent, especially if it's putting you out. If it's something you already had on hand and/or it's just a weekend, sure. If it's a longer period of time, then I'd stand by my previous statements. And it does go both ways, too -- when I go to someone else's house, I will often take things that I can eat if I know there won't be much otherwise for me (or I'll just shut up and do the best I can with what's available). I don't expect others to go out of their way for my dietary choices, and I sure as hell wouldn't expect a separate meal.
Also, not being able to drive is no excuse. Like I said, she can make other arrangements (ie - give someone money and send them out to get the stuff; or have someone drive her to the store).
Of course, I was also raised by a woman who made her otherwise lazy mother get up and walk by having her come out to the porch on the opposite side of the (very large) house from where they were sitting at any given time in order to carry on a conversation...He1loKitty wrote: »We don't have kids but I don't cook anything different for my husband and he has lost even more weight than me by eating my low carb dinners! And he doesn't eat low carb at breakfast or lunch. Not fair, right?
OMG! I know the feeling. My hubby's the same way. What's really bugging me is that I've seen him lose weight pretty much just by thinking "I should make better food choices and watch what I'm eating more." I even flat-out told him that I'd bet he'd lose a fair amount of weight just by nixing the sweetened drinks (or even just trading the soda for sweet tea, since we use less sugar). It's mind boggling to me that even little things like that seem to be "too much" for him, even knowing that that's really all it'd take, and yet, I'm over here, turning every aspect of my life upside down from what it used to be, and still having only limited results!
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Dragonwolf wrote: »As for my mother - well...she's just never going to change and thankfully this is just a visit - she doesn't live with me, but she is not capable of getting to the store, she can't drive.
"Just a visit" is still no reason to have cater to someone to that extent, especially if it's putting you out. If it's something you already had on hand and/or it's just a weekend, sure. If it's a longer period of time, then I'd stand by my previous statements. And it does go both ways, too -- when I go to someone else's house, I will often take things that I can eat if I know there won't be much otherwise for me (or I'll just shut up and do the best I can with what's available). I don't expect others to go out of their way for my dietary choices, and I sure as hell wouldn't expect a separate meal.
Also, not being able to drive is no excuse. Like I said, she can make other arrangements (ie - give someone money and send them out to get the stuff; or have someone drive her to the store).
Of course, I was also raised by a woman who made her otherwise lazy mother get up and walk by having her come out to the porch on the opposite side of the (very large) house from where they were sitting at any given time in order to carry on a conversation...
LOL - well being raised in the South by a very Southern mother - you do what your mama says and if she wants cheetos you bring her the damn cheetos and life is good. I don't have to like it - but I have to do it because she's my mama and I was raised to do what she says. Again - I get your sentiment and I appreciate it - but it's not always so cut and dry.0 -
The family eats all the same thing. My husband is supportive and we both have the thought that she will not starve herself. I talked to her doctor and she said the same thing. If she doesn't eat what we eat then she has to wait for the next meal.
When snack time comes it's very fresh and healthy, and if she doesn't eat that, again she has to wait till next meal and she knows she will only get water until she eats. Ever since we started this she is eating a lot better and realized that the healthy changes are here to stay.
AND we do not keep unhealthy choices in the house, so if she does choose something it's healthy. She is 6 years old and it's only taken a few months to realize that very little carbs are in the house.
Sometimes she puts her nose up to something, but I explain that that is all she is going to get and if she doesn't eat it she is only hurting herself. lol! Now I don't have to try so hard because her tastes are changing to where she hardly ever asks for something else and just eats.0 -
baconslave wrote: »softblondechick wrote: »Nope. I usually make a starch side and they eat that and hit the bread stash.
This is what goes on in my house.
My house too0 -
hkaiser350 wrote: »The family eats all the same thing. My husband is supportive and we both have the thought that she will not starve herself. I talked to her doctor and she said the same thing. If she doesn't eat what we eat then she has to wait for the next meal.
When snack time comes it's very fresh and healthy, and if she doesn't eat that, again she has to wait till next meal and she knows she will only get water until she eats. Ever since we started this she is eating a lot better and realized that the healthy changes are here to stay.
AND we do not keep unhealthy choices in the house, so if she does choose something it's healthy. She is 6 years old and it's only taken a few months to realize that very little carbs are in the house.
Sometimes she puts her nose up to something, but I explain that that is all she is going to get and if she doesn't eat it she is only hurting herself. lol! Now I don't have to try so hard because her tastes are changing to where she hardly ever asks for something else and just eats.
My littles are the same. At first they resisted but now they are on board. I cook one meat and give them veg options and it seems to work. They do have snacks that I don't eat but in moderation I feel it is ok.0 -
My husband and son (10) eat whatever I make. I keep it simple as well. We have a Traeger grill, which has changed our lives btw, that we use almost daily for dinner stuff. So we smoke a lot of our meats. Also, these boys love their BBQ sauce so I just eat whatever meat it is plus the veggies without sauce... and I add butter(mmmmm). If the boys want something different, example last night they wanted shrimp, the baked breaded kind, and baked beans. So, they had that and I had chicken salad and veggies I whipped up. If I am in a pinch for time and the quick stuff is all I have, like spaghetti, I make it for them and usually eat some tuna with mayo, pickles and cheese with another veggie. As a LCHF person now, I like my food simple because I can keep tabs of the carbs easier that way! 0
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I have a husband and 4 children. I tend to cook all of my foods for the week on Sunday and freeze meals. Then I cook for the family during the week. I always make salad for everyone because when they see me eating it they usually want it too 0
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I cook whatever I have ingredients for, usually some kind of meat and a premade side for them, cheese for my side, with lettuce. They can eat it or starve. Tis how I was raised. The only exception to this is that my dad can't have too many leafy greens or broccoli. He's on a blood thinner and too much vitamin K could kill him.0
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No, I cook one meal and we all eat it... like it or not! LOL My son has snacks with carbs, granola and such and my husband eats lunch out often but he is very fit and athletic already. He never complains and is super supportive.0
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I do the variant thing. I cooked up a nice batch of taco meat. My guy had taco salads in baked shells, and I had them shell-less with a hefty helping of sour cream (he reacts to the processing agents they use here in the US and can't eat it)... We did this several times. Or I'll make mashed potatoes for him, and just grab more veg for me. Or I'll do the stir fry without rice and he'll have it with. No way am I making two meals unless I'm the one who wants something off menu, and even then, I can't afford to be wasteful, so most of the time I don't even do that... LOL0
