Husband doesn't like fruits and veggies

lexy3587 · August 2011

I didn't read all the replies, to be honest, so sorry if this is a repeat. Non-veggie-lovers will generally eat the veggies when they've got cheese on them! You can make chicken and veggie casseroles, or serve cauliflower with a light cheese sauce (if you make a roux with cheese in it, you can also use whole wheat flour). Better to be getting the veg with cheese and such than entirely going without vegetables.
also, you guys could test whether playing around with fresh vs canned vs frozen makes a difference, and, with fresh vegetables, whether he prefers cooked vs raw.
But I also agree with other commenters - your husband needs to be the one finding vegetables to try - this isn't your job. If you become the 'mom' going out and buying all sorts of vegetables to try to force-feed him, neither of you will be happy, and no veg will be eaten.

kent4j · August 2011

How about looking in your area to see if they offer any healthy cooking classes. This would be a fun thing to do together and he may be more apt to try different things in that setting. This may be an encouraging way to get him on the road to healthy eating.

Qarol · August 2011

My attitude is, if he's that picky, he can make his own meals. My husband is always telling me, "As long as I didn't have to cook it. I have no right to complain." Good husband.

ilookthetype · August 2011

Lately he has expressed the desire to lose weight, but what diet changes can I make for him?

YOU can't, sweetheart. He's got to make the diet changes. Maybe suggest he juice to get some fruit/veggies in. But he's got to decide he's going to nom on carrots, you can't decide that for him.

johnwhitent · August 2011

How about telling him to man up and either eat up or shut up?

He is old enough now to cook for himself if he doesn't like what you make.

Let me speak as a life long veggie hater trying to do better. The advice quoted here is guaranteed to drive him in the opposite direction from what you desire. If my wife uttered such words to me I can tell you that I do know how to cook and I'll gladly do so for the rest of my life! It would take some time to mend the fallout of such a callous remark. But why be so confrontational with remarks sure to create resentment and hard feelings? There are helpful suggestions posted here; I am personally intrigued by the one recommending the book of recipes with veggies mixed in. Healthy cooking classes might be fun. And I have grown to love vegetable soup. But folks, if you want to help someone, ultimatums, intimidation, and cutting remarks are not the way to do it! My wife and I have dedicated ourselves to not using such tactics and I can tell you life is much better with tender care than with bullying.

tuneses · August 2011

I have the same issue but hubby doesnt need to lose weight. Basically we've agreed that I'll make my "fancy" dinners 3 times a week and he will fend for himself and make his own dinner. That doesnt really happen but I usually make him dinner along the lines of what i'm having with the kids. Like if i'm making chicken i'll make a separate one for him and make him a baked potato or whatever. If i'm making spaghetti then he'll have regular noodles and I'll have wheat. It's not the best solution but he wont eat better and i cant and wont make him.

wow, you're more loving than me (and we've only been married a month LOL) My husband has realized that he can either eat what I cook or fend for himself. Once or twice a week I make something that's a little less healthy than I normally eat and suits his tastes.

Oh and as far as the salt goes, I got my hubby using hot sauce now rather than salt. Still sodium but not as much

lol I'm a stay at home mom. As I see it it's my job to take care of my family. We've been together for almost 10 years and i'm not going to change him if he doesn't want to. But i'm not gonna let that stop me from doing what I need to do. He's very loving and encouraging of my journey. I don't tell him what to do and he doesnt tell me. We work together and compromise. He has ventured into more veggies so at least he's trying. Oh and he doesnt fall for "hidden" veggies lol

bcattoes · August 2011

When people say they don't like any fruits or veggies, I think it has to be psychological. There are such a variety of flavors and textures that it would really be next to impossible not to like any of them. Does your husband have a general unwillingness to try new foods?

sunkisses · August 2011

Let him worry about his own diet. Keep doing your thing.

mamagooskie · August 2011

You can't change for him, he can decide to try to like them... or not.

exactly!!! If he wants it bad enough he'll change his ways, you do your thing and let him do his!

JenRedesigned · August 2011

Thanks everyone for the advice

I am definitely going to look into some of the awesome suggestions you all have made!
We actually had a conversation today concerning this topic and I basically told him that I want HIM to Want to eat healthier, and that I wasn't going to badger him about it, but I'm not going to stop "encouraging" trying new things.
We are 30 years old and starting to realize that yes, we are getting a little older and we need to start taking care of ourselves. We are watching as our parent's lifestyle mistakes are playing out in their older years, and I care for my husband enough to take the time to lovingly encourage healthier habits in his life.
I think it may be the easy route to say just let him fend for himself if he doesn't like my healthy meals. Our marriage doesn't work like that... but that's a whole different issue

I am at the point where the state of my health has scared some sense into me and I hope that he gets there too.

Husband doesn't like fruits and veggies

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