Family is no help!
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jennybearlv wrote: »Could you be a bit more precise: what is your family cooking and what is missing? You do not need diet food to loose weight, however vegetables and fresh fruit are definitely helpful. But as vnb_208 said, portion size and avoiding liquid calories are a big part of the equation. Whatever you do, do NOT look at it as "dieting", i.e. a punishment limited in time, but commit to changing your eating habits for good.
Well I am trying to take red meat and fried food out of my diet. I have already discontinued rice from my diet but I love bread and sweets so I am trying to wean myself off of them. However my family continues to request red meat, fried food, and sweets. They are on a fixed income so it is expensive to try and cook two different dinners daily.
It sounds like you are trying to cut out a lot of foods. That is not necessary. My husband is from the south, likes his current weight, and refuses to eat the healthy stuff I grew up on out west. So, I cook the greasy fatty food with rice or potatoes for dinner and honestly it's delicious! I just eat a lot lighter during the rest of the day and watch my dinner portions. Would your family object to buying a few healthier options for you to eat for breakfast and lunch?
No we basically do bacon, sausage, biscuits, pancakes, oatmeal, eggs, and grits. Lately I've been sticking to the oatmeal and grits with an apple on the side or a poached eggs with shredded cheese.
It sounds like you got this. That is a small healthy meal made of ingredients you already have, plus fruit. It's budget and calorie friendly. Just pick and choose what items or portions you want from those big meals to meet your calorie goals and you will lose the weight. Also, don't forget exercise calories. I'm not working either and use that spare time to go on long walks so I can eat more.2 -
jennybearlv wrote: »jennybearlv wrote: »Could you be a bit more precise: what is your family cooking and what is missing? You do not need diet food to loose weight, however vegetables and fresh fruit are definitely helpful. But as vnb_208 said, portion size and avoiding liquid calories are a big part of the equation. Whatever you do, do NOT look at it as "dieting", i.e. a punishment limited in time, but commit to changing your eating habits for good.
Well I am trying to take red meat and fried food out of my diet. I have already discontinued rice from my diet but I love bread and sweets so I am trying to wean myself off of them. However my family continues to request red meat, fried food, and sweets. They are on a fixed income so it is expensive to try and cook two different dinners daily.
It sounds like you are trying to cut out a lot of foods. That is not necessary. My husband is from the south, likes his current weight, and refuses to eat the healthy stuff I grew up on out west. So, I cook the greasy fatty food with rice or potatoes for dinner and honestly it's delicious! I just eat a lot lighter during the rest of the day and watch my dinner portions. Would your family object to buying a few healthier options for you to eat for breakfast and lunch?
No we basically do bacon, sausage, biscuits, pancakes, oatmeal, eggs, and grits. Lately I've been sticking to the oatmeal and grits with an apple on the side or a poached eggs with shredded cheese.
It sounds like you got this. That is a small healthy meal made of ingredients you already have, plus fruit. It's budget and calorie friendly. Just pick and choose what items or portions you want from those big meals to meet your calorie goals and you will lose the weight. Also, don't forget exercise calories. I'm not working either and use that spare time to go on long walks so I can eat more.
I thought I was the only person that purposely exercised so I could eat that one little slice of pie lol5 -
Thanks everyone, you guys are awesome! Before I was feeling really weary about taking this journey alone but now I feel more encouraged.7
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You are not working, so maybe you could apply for foodstamps? I don't know what the requirements are in your area/county. Also a food bank may have healthier options...1
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nopotofgold wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »Seeing as you're unemployed why don't you offer to help by shopping and cooking sometimes?
I actually do all the cooking right now because my grandparents are sick.
So then you can portion out the amount you can eat to fit your calories.
Again, given that you're not working, why not cook 2 meals if you don't want to eat the same as them?
I know what you mean but when you have a grandmother with dementia that is possessive about her kitchen and gets violent you will learn to minimize your time in the kitchen lol. Most days I do my best to cook separately but it's becoming more and more of a battle the sicker she gets.
So she cooks too?
Grill it, if you have a grill. taste great and every one loves BBQ. Just do naked with like salt & pepper.
No, she "supervises" lol. We have to watch her because she will add things to the food and sometimes throws it away or burns it.
That can be very challenging. Have you tried precooking meals so there is "leftovers" in the frig need to be eaten, so they wont get wasted?0 -
Princessarkyn wrote: »I'm thinking you could take all the above advice and also consider something that worked great for me.
Intermittent fasting. Eat normally one day and fast the next day. Repeat for the rest of your life.
That way you won't need to worry so much about the specific groceries and foods you eat everyday and your body will have enough time to digest all the food you do throw in
he doesnt have to fast on alternate days unless he wants too and your body doesnt need time to digest foods its always working to digest food.it doesnt need a break or anything like that. only way you need a break from digesting foods is if you have a digestive disorder or problem then you may need one. but then they make digestive enzymes to break food down when your body cant do it properly.
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nopotofgold wrote: »nopotofgold wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »Seeing as you're unemployed why don't you offer to help by shopping and cooking sometimes?
I actually do all the cooking right now because my grandparents are sick.
So then you can portion out the amount you can eat to fit your calories.
Again, given that you're not working, why not cook 2 meals if you don't want to eat the same as them?
I know what you mean but when you have a grandmother with dementia that is possessive about her kitchen and gets violent you will learn to minimize your time in the kitchen lol. Most days I do my best to cook separately but it's becoming more and more of a battle the sicker she gets.
So she cooks too?
Grill it, if you have a grill. taste great and every one loves BBQ. Just do naked with like salt & pepper.
No, she "supervises" lol. We have to watch her because she will add things to the food and sometimes throws it away or burns it.
That can be very challenging. Have you tried precooking meals so there is "leftovers" in the frig need to be eaten, so they wont get wasted?
Yes, but she goes in the fridge at night while everyone is asleep and throws food away.0 -
nopotofgold wrote: »nopotofgold wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »Seeing as you're unemployed why don't you offer to help by shopping and cooking sometimes?
I actually do all the cooking right now because my grandparents are sick.
So then you can portion out the amount you can eat to fit your calories.
Again, given that you're not working, why not cook 2 meals if you don't want to eat the same as them?
I know what you mean but when you have a grandmother with dementia that is possessive about her kitchen and gets violent you will learn to minimize your time in the kitchen lol. Most days I do my best to cook separately but it's becoming more and more of a battle the sicker she gets.
So she cooks too?
Grill it, if you have a grill. taste great and every one loves BBQ. Just do naked with like salt & pepper.
No, she "supervises" lol. We have to watch her because she will add things to the food and sometimes throws it away or burns it.
That can be very challenging. Have you tried precooking meals so there is "leftovers" in the frig need to be eaten, so they wont get wasted?
Yes, but she goes in the fridge at night while everyone is asleep and throws food away.
I know its hard, but you guys need to lock things like they do on the units if is that bad. Example sharp things locked up, frig/freezer locked, tools locked, dials off stove/oven. Basicly adult proof the house for safety.3 -
Honestly, OP, I'm more concerned about your situation as a caregiver right now than your weight loss efforts. Dementia is so incredibly difficult on everyone. Hope your family has access to the resources you need. My heart goes out to you... just do the best you can with the circumstances you have right now. As others have mentioned, being careful with your portions of the higher calorie fare and rounding out with lower calorie veggies & fruits where possible. Maybe you can get out of the house & get some extra exercise. Wish you the best
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Hi everyone! I really need to know how you guys got started and we're able to stay on track when your family refuses to buy food that you could eat. I'm a recent college graduate and currently unemployed so I am taking this time to work on myself until God opens a door for me. Therefore, food in the house is totally up to my family. Any suggestions?
Here is what I do in my home.
#1 I do not tell anyone I am dieting. I even prefer to exercise when everyone is out of the house. The less I bring attention to my effort, the less resistance, doubt, questions I get. It works better if they notice when I am "suddenly" down 20 lbs!
#2 This is a new trick, intermittent fasting, that so far is speeding up my weight loss.
Dr Fung, nephrologist whose kidney patienta are often dealing with obesity and/or diabestes, calls it therapeutic fasting. You pick and can vary it-- the hours of the day you eat and the hours of the day you DO NOT EAT. Your hours of sleep count as fasting hours. For many, skipping breakfast and NOT eating (including no beverages) after dinner is all they have to do to achieve a 16h or 18h of fasting.
Dr Fung, recognizes the importance of staying hydrated. He has a preference for water but recognizes that some do broth or coffee fasts. Because of the insulin response, he does not favor juice fasts.
Dr. Fung recognizes that many doing keto or paleo diets are eating so that there macros are low carb and high fat. Fung favors low carb, because most carbs in SAD diet tend to spike insulin. Fung also credits the higher fat (high quality fats from whole foods) making fasting easier.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIuj-oMN-Fk
From the Salk Institute/Dr Satchidanada Panda, who is a scientist studying circadian rhythyms and bodily functions calls it time-restricted eating Dr Panda says weight benefits are achieved in as few as 9h of fasting, but increased muscle mass and other health benefits are achieved with 12h of fasting.
Dr. Panda also points out that ANYTHING EXCEPT WATER ends a fast, because the kidneys are kicked into action with beverages--even black coffee.
Dr. Panda's studies show many health benefits, including lean body mass, from intermittent fasting despite the kind of food that is being eaten during the window of "feeding hours". THIS LOOKS TO BE VERY ENCOURAGING INFO FOR YOU.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPpAvvPG0nc
If you join a IF (intermittent fasting group) or the LCHF Group (http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/394-low-carber-daily-forum-the-lcd-group) you will get many tips.8 -
Rocco Dispirito has a book and show called "Now Eat This". You can check out the book at your local library. If they don't have it at their location you can go to the circulation desk and ask for an inter-library loan request. Usually you have to fill out a form. It might take up to two weeks for it to come in. He has a cook book that gives healthier alternatives to comfort foods that your family probably eats. If you plan out the meals and do the shopping and cooking for your family then you will be able to still prepare those comfort foods but healthier versions of them. Instead of rice you make cauliflower rice which would cost the same as rice. Also invest in a food scale. I have had to insist that my family let me do all the shopping because they kept buying unhealthy foods and once those unhealthy foods were in my house the temptation was too great. Also prepare foods ahead of time so that you always have something ready to go that is healthy to eat...for ex. keep chopped carrots, celery, cucumber in the fridge ready to grab at a moments notice along with nuts and fruits. You will find that fresh vegetables and fruits cost the same if not less than processed foods. Most grocery stores have a section where they sell oddly shaped and sized fruits and veggies at a discount. You have to really search for it but you can usually find it. Also you might consider growing your own veggies in a container or small plot of land with seeds. Seeds are very inexpensive.
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I love Southern food and see it as the crown jewel of American cuisine, particularly the classic New Orleans dishes. I am disgusted by the number of people who slag it down until Southerners are ashamed to eat the incredibly nutritious and fantastic foods their great-great-great grandmothers ate. I have lost a substantial amount of weight and have been maintaining for a year at a 22 BMI eating my share of "fattening" southern food.
Here are some suggestions:
-Cook a large mess of green beans, lima beans, collards, turnip greens or mustard greens with a ham hock or some fat back. Your family might take less of this (which is crazy because greens are freakin' delicious), but make sure you have a big pile on your plate, and much smaller amounts of the high calorie/lower nutrition stuff. Greens have an amazing nutritional profile. You always hear people blathering on about kale--collards are the same damn thing as kale, just without the snotty pretentiousness, and cooked better.
-Learn to make gumbo, jambalaya and dirty rice or beans and rice and make sure you add a very generous amount of bell peppers, onions, celery, okra and chicken; add less roux and andouille. (You can use gumbo file and okra for thickening, but I like the taste of at least a little roux cooked to a deep chocolate brown).
-You can make pulled pork or pulled chicken or grilled chicken and have a side of a thinner vinegar-based BBQ sauce which your family can add at will--but which you will very carefully measure and not slather too much on.
--Grill or blacken fish rather than breading and frying, although something like fried catfish isn't the end of the world.
--Hush puppies and corn bread can be really hard to fit in, and it is just very, very sad.
Save them for special occasions, or have the corn bread be your dessert.
-When it comes to a sweet tooth, you just have to get it under control, and that can be hard when you have tasty things in the house. There are desserts you can make where you can still sneak in some nutrition, such as sweet potato casserole/pie or apple crisp... for the latter I would recommend doubling the amount of apples, and also doubling the amount of oatmeal to get some whole grains in. Here is a Betty Crocker recipe. It's going to be a lot of calories regardless, but maybe you could also experiment with cutting down some of the sugar or butter as well.
https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/apple-crisp/3715a45c-3c00-430c-bbe2-9865f9013238
Remember, you can always take a nice long walk, ride a bike, or go for a jog to help balance some of the calories that you take in. Better yet, if you are able-bodied and your family has a yard, dig a garden and make a valuable contribution to your family's situation. It is an awesome calorie burn. You are waiting for God to open a door; he told Adam and Eve to get to digging, and despite their behavior they were blessed with the ability to create wealth out of dirt. The Bible is full of the wonders that can occur when you trust in Him and plant some seeds in carefully tended ground.
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@Oriel94 Taking care of a person with dementia is a full time job! God bless you for looking after your grandparents. I know it's hard for caregivers to take time to care for themselves, but you must, for their sake as well as your own. I know that's exactly what you are trying to do, and I commend you for it.
My only suggestion is to let your grandparents know that that is why you want different food. Perhaps when you tell them you are trying to lose weight, they look at the beautiful person you are and don't think it is necessary. But if you tell them this is so you have the health and energy to accomplish other goals, they will see things differently. Or at least your grandfather will, and he can be more supportive in handling your grandmother when she has her episodes.
Blessings!1 -
French_Peasant wrote: »-When it comes to a sweet tooth, you just have to get it under control, and that can be hard when you have tasty things in the house.
This reminded me, I have a sweet tooth too and it's the main reason I don't meet my calorie goals. To the extent we can limit sweets, it leaves a lot more room for the other food you may not have as much control over.1 -
French_Peasant wrote: »-When it comes to a sweet tooth, you just have to get it under control, and that can be hard when you have tasty things in the house.
This reminded me, I have a sweet tooth too and it's the main reason I don't meet my calorie goals. To the extent we can limit sweets, it leaves a lot more room for the other food you may not have as much control over.
It is definitely a struggle when the family has sweets in the house...I try to encourage them to just get things I don't like (nutty bars or entemann's donuts--yuck), but when they bring in things I like, it is hard to resist. I try to limit myself to one (or at the most two) servings a day until the pack of cookies or whatnot is gone. Still, it makes a huge difference to just eat 4 oreos instead of a sleeve and a half, as when I was blissfully ignoring the number of calories.
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Hi everyone! I really need to know how you guys got started and we're able to stay on track when your family refuses to buy food that you could eat. I'm a recent college graduate and currently unemployed so I am taking this time to work on myself until God opens a door for me. Therefore, food in the house is totally up to my family. Any suggestions?
Here is what I do in my home.
#1 I do not tell anyone I am dieting. I even prefer to exercise when everyone is out of the house. The less I bring attention to my effort, the less resistance, doubt, questions I get. It works better if they notice when I am "suddenly" down 20 lbs!
#2 This is a new trick, intermittent fasting, that so far is speeding up my weight loss.
Dr Fung, nephrologist whose kidney patienta are often dealing with obesity and/or diabestes, calls it therapeutic fasting. You pick and can vary it-- the hours of the day you eat and the hours of the day you DO NOT EAT. Your hours of sleep count as fasting hours. For many, skipping breakfast and NOT eating (including no beverages) after dinner is all they have to do to achieve a 16h or 18h of fasting.
Dr Fung, recognizes the importance of staying hydrated. He has a preference for water but recognizes that some do broth or coffee fasts. Because of the insulin response, he does not favor juice fasts.
Dr. Fung recognizes that many doing keto or paleo diets are eating so that there macros are low carb and high fat. Fung favors low carb, because most carbs in SAD diet tend to spike insulin. Fung also credits the higher fat (high quality fats from whole foods) making fasting easier.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIuj-oMN-Fk
From the Salk Institute/Dr Satchidanada Panda, who is a scientist studying circadian rhythyms and bodily functions calls it time-restricted eating Dr Panda says weight benefits are achieved in as few as 9h of fasting, but increased muscle mass and other health benefits are achieved with 12h of fasting.
Dr. Panda also points out that ANYTHING EXCEPT WATER ends a fast, because the kidneys are kicked into action with beverages--even black coffee.
Dr. Panda's studies show many health benefits, including lean body mass, from intermittent fasting despite the kind of food that is being eaten during the window of "feeding hours". THIS LOOKS TO BE VERY ENCOURAGING INFO FOR YOU.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPpAvvPG0nc
If you join a IF (intermittent fasting group) or the LCHF Group (http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/394-low-carber-daily-forum-the-lcd-group) you will get many tips.
fung is a quack and has been discredited by many professionals. intermittent fasting or IF and doing 16:8 is only going to help people stick to their calories. it may help some with insulin issues but even protein spikes insulin and is a normal response in healthy people as well. fung also believes his "diet" can cure diabetes and cancer and that a person with a 6.2 and higher A1c doesnt need insulin as long as they do his diet.5 -
I eat a lot of things I ate before when I got fat,I just eat smaller portions and I lost weight,my health markers improved and so on. I have familial hypercholesterolemia which means even when I was thin and in better shape my cholesterol was sky high. so I have to eat a low fat/low cholesterol diet with high fiber. my cholesterol is now in the normal ranges. yeah,Im taking meds but before with just diet alone that did not help and for people like me LCHF/keto is a no no.1
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Have you tried Meal preparation in containers or Salad in a Jar? They can be left in the fridge for 4 days no problem and you control what you eat and how much.2
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My suggestion is along the portion control lines like others have suggested. This is the hardest thing for me to do. I try whenever possible to log what I'm going to eat before having the meal. Cause I hate going back and editing after the fact. LOL. Also I try and make my plate to that effect and make sure to put stuff away before eating that plate. Reduces the temptation to have just a little more. You did not mention your activity level. But if you are not getting out or exercising. Find a way to fit 30 minutes of walking in every day even if it is in chunks. I hope this or someone elses comments help you get you on a workable path. Good luck!1
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Honestly, OP, I'm more concerned about your situation as a caregiver right now than your weight loss efforts. Dementia is so incredibly difficult on everyone. Hope your family has access to the resources you need. My heart goes out to you... just do the best you can with the circumstances you have right now. As others have mentioned, being careful with your portions of the higher calorie fare and rounding out with lower calorie veggies & fruits where possible. Maybe you can get out of the house & get some extra exercise. Wish you the best
I agree! OP, it sounds like you have a grip on how to handle the food choices. It's the dementia that's the real challenge, and I haven't met anyone who has an easy answer for that. I'm especially sad that she throws away your food. it will be MUCH easier when you're out on your own. Congrats on finishing college, BTW. Great accomplishment! 2
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