Homecooked Meals Dilemma

sekeitheswingdreamer · August 2011

Hello everyone,

I wanted to get some advice on this matter. As my username implies, I am Mexican. As such, the foods that my mother produces are traditional Mexican dishes which are often very high in fat, carbs, and of course calories (refried beans, rice, tortillas, beef and the like.) While I love my mother's cooking, I feel that by eating her foods I might sabotage my progress with MFP. The other thing is that it is very difficult to place a definitive calorie count on any of my mother's dishes. She gets many of her ingredients from local latin stores. I don't want to give up my mother's cooking, but right now I really see no other option. What do you guys think?

jrich1 · August 2011

Could you talk to your mother and tell her you are trying to eat good and see if she can find some maybe more healthy alternatives or at least give you what she puts in it for a more accurate count?

NicolCook · August 2011

I don't give up anything that I love, I just eat less of it. Maybe ask to watch her make it and you can calculate the calories that are in what you actually eat of it. You can enter them as quick calories that way. Ultimately it is up to you and what you think is most important....and what you are willing to sacrifice to get the results you want. Best of luck!!

dragonflydi · August 2011

How about enjoying some of Mom's great food ... along with something less caloric? For example, if she's treats you to incredible carnitas ... or enchiladas, cut what you would normally have eaten in half and then add a salad with viniagrette or a light dressing or steamed veggies? This is how I deal with eating at restaurants. I order my entree and always get either a salad or steamed veggies with it and when it is delivered, I ask for a box right away. I box up half and enjoy the rest. And then I have something for the next day with a different healthy side and I get two different meals, don't go too far over on my calories and don't feel like I need to deprive myself of anything

maygs · August 2011

Coming froma traditional Mexican family where my mom makes fresh tortillas at every meal I know what you mean. The thing that helps me is I eat half portions of whatever and then eat extra fruits and veggies. I dont deprive myself from the yummies my mom makes but at the same time she understands what I am doing and she okay with just giving me a small plate with small portions. Just don't skip every meal because you could possibly binge later on because you really wanted that food.

LaSweetMini · August 2011

Some mexican dishes are really good for you. Subsitute the reagular tortilla for whole wheat tortillas. The sell them at the supermarket. Or if you must eat corn tortilla, eat 3! They are only about 120 for 3. Load them up with your meats, salsa, cilantro y cebolla y sass! Just stay away from the enchiladas, tamales, and carnitas. Keep it simple and fresh. Tacos will be your best bet. Tell mami to make your taquitos on the side. Actually, you can probably eat a few without sabbotaging anything. Fresh ingrediants nada mas and lean meats. Im sure your mom understands you want to be healthier

themommie · August 2011

I still have tacos and burritos and mexican salad, i just watch my portion sizes and be careful what I add to them ex: make a burrito with no cheese, lots of lettuce, maybe rice or beans not both, no sour cream or fat free sr cream, lots of salsa, sometimes leave off the tortilla to save cals . Its not easy but it can be done. Good luck on your journey

dls06 · August 2011

Portion control. Substitute 1/2 a serving with green healthy salad and fresh veggies. It's not about giving up what you love it's about finding way to have the things you love in a healthy balance. You could add her recipes to the create a recipe section and get a good idea of what the numbers are. Find ingredients that match up even if they are not the same brand. Rice, Refried beans, cheese, sauses, meats, veggies or what ever else, are all in there under many different names.

ffhsanfran · August 2011

you seemed to be progressing pretty well. Keep at it. I myself have the same dilemma albeit not with home-cooked, but specifically MOM-cooked meals.!!!

I think first get back with your mom. My mom is a terrific cook too. Of course, nurturing their babies is their instinct, no matter how old the babies get. And thanks for that instinct to make us possible. Moms also want to deliver the flavors and sensations of their culture, history, and themselves to us. That is very precious. Go back to your mom, and show you appreciate all she has done for you, and show her there is no danger that you will ever forget the taste, the care, and the love she has served you with. Go as far as to whisper into her ears in private that no woman can ever be like her.

Well that will calm her down a little bit only, but still, she will instinctively want to feed you to prepare for the tough life ahead

. On one side lead her on. Ask her to do a "green" healthy dish, a salad, and go crazy with appreciation when she serves you that. And act crazy at the table too. Maybe you can prepare the food with her. Mexican food healthy! Maybe you can do some cooking experiments with her. You bring in olive oil, salad fixings, fruit, and you help out, make it festive for all. I also resort to "dinner party" tactics. Portion control, not cleaning up your plate, talk at the table, socialize, get out, bring dishes to the table, take dishes to the kitchen, take pauses, breathe, get up and give a long warm hug to your mom to thank for the food. Basically, do some other activity than consuming food. Break bread and ... share. Don't forget the share part. It does not say break bread and wolf it down.

Anyways, this is tough, i know in mexican as well as other cultures. It runs deep. But you are managing well. You should tell us how to do it.

Homecooked Meals Dilemma

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