Christmas dinner made from a box...

megz4987
megz4987 Posts: 1,008 Member
I will be having christmas dinner at the in-laws and, to say the least, they are not a cooking, healthy food family.
I'm 110% positive that this will be whats for dinner:
-Pre-cooked/pre seasoned butterball turkey that was thrown into the crock pot for a couple hours.
-Stove top stuffing
-minimal veggies (I'm talking, like quarter cup per person)
-pillsbury flaky rolls
-betty crocker boxed mashed potatoes

So... what the hell do I do with a dinner like that??
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Replies

  • hbmcracer
    hbmcracer Posts: 105 Member
    say you're not really hungry and eat the turkey and veggies.
  • josery1630
    josery1630 Posts: 205 Member
    Bring a side dish or two...that's what I do. :)
  • sunnyday789
    sunnyday789 Posts: 309 Member
    Put things in perspective.
    Be thankkful you have family to spend Chistmas with.
    When people offer you their hospitality don't judge.
    Eat a little bit of everything and you'll probably be able to keep in caloric budget
  • Are you sure we're not related?

    Actually, my ex and I would go round and round about this. Nothing was healthy and it was hard to make good choices without
    A.) going hungry
    B.) insulting the family
  • SandyHern
    SandyHern Posts: 70 Member
    Eat half of what you would usually do...
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,222 Member
    Offer to make dinner next time, it's the right time of the year for spreading good cheer and food.
  • rlv2680
    rlv2680 Posts: 289 Member
    sounds yummy!! but not as gd as what i'm having:):)
    you could bring a nice big salad that everyone will enojy
  • rlwzgd
    rlwzgd Posts: 46 Member
    Same boat here, but we are spending a week with them! I'm bringing a bag of apples so I can eat something... Last time they asked what we liked, we told them and then they got offended because it wasn't what they wanted. Then don't ask people! Sorry, had to vent...
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    Put things in perspective.
    Be thankkful you have family to spend Chistmas with.
    When people offer you their hospitality don't judge.
    Eat a little bit of everything and you'll probably be able to keep in caloric budget

    This is a good response.

    Remember this is just one day. Enjoy your food in moderation, but enjoy the company even more.
  • withervein
    withervein Posts: 224 Member
    Put things in perspective.
    Be thankkful you have family to spend Chistmas with.
    When people offer you their hospitality don't judge.
    Eat a little bit of everything and you'll probably be able to keep in caloric budget

    This, really. My family is somewhere between eating pure prefab crud and having an average interest in healthy eating. I love them anyway. They may not be able to whole-heartedly enjoy the changes I've made for myself, so they don't have to eat what I bring, but I'm gonna eat that store-bought pumpkin pie (hold the cool whip) and the cranberries with the rings on because I'm happy to be with them. It's a holiday, don't let it be ruined with overthinking.
  • megz4987
    megz4987 Posts: 1,008 Member
    Bring a side dish or two...that's what I do. :)
    I offered and they said they "dont really need anything" ..... O.O

    At thanksgiving I ate only turkey and veggies and went to my moms for dessert but I ended up almost having a whole thanksgiving dinner when I got there... I wanted real food, haha. I only went over 100cals for the day, so it wasn't bad but meh.

    I understand everyone has their traditions, everyone has their own way of doing holiday dinners but I was really hoping they would step it up a little... :/ They talk about health all the time but they never look at their food choices. They're not fat but the food they eat is crap...
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    Bring a side dish or two...that's what I do. :)
    I offered and they said they "dont really need anything" ..... O.O

    At thanksgiving I ate only turkey and veggies and went to my moms for dessert but I ended up almost having a whole thanksgiving dinner when I got there... I wanted real food, haha. I only went over 100cals for the day, so it wasn't bad but meh.

    I understand everyone has their traditions, everyone has their own way of doing holiday dinners but I was really hoping they would step it up a little... :/ They talk about health all the time but they never look at their food choices. They're not fat but the food they eat is crap...

    People who aren't into eating well don't want to be lectured, just like you would not want to be lectured about whatever your bad habits are. If you're going to their house, eat in moderation and just enjoy it.
  • LeelaLosing
    LeelaLosing Posts: 237 Member
    I agree, either call and say you've been trying a bunch of new recipes and have something to bring because you "won't feel comfortable letting them do all the work" wink wink, or just bring some yummy veggies and whipped sweet potatoes or whatever you want. In the future if you can pull it off.....offer to bring more?
  • eat some of everything in moderation and drink lots of water (to offset the sodium)
  • Hikaru37
    Hikaru37 Posts: 177 Member
    Consider it a day off and eat til your full
    No more no less

    Maybe drink lots of water beforehand to fill yourself up a bit
  • RedHotRunner
    RedHotRunner Posts: 850 Member
    Love me some Stovetop and Pilsbury Rolls. It's the only day out of the year that I have them.

    Just have some turkey and veggies if you're not inclined to eat the more "ready to eat" foods.

    But there's something to be said for being a gracious guest.
  • megz4987
    megz4987 Posts: 1,008 Member
    Put things in perspective.
    Be thankkful you have family to spend Chistmas with.
    When people offer you their hospitality don't judge.
    Eat a little bit of everything and you'll probably be able to keep in caloric budget

    This post isn't saying I'm being unthankful, I'm attempting to figure out a way to have a healthier meal than they're offering.
  • It's a holiday...Enjoy time with family and/or friends. You could just show up with some extra veggies also :smile:
  • Bring a side dish or two...that's what I do. :)
    I offered and they said they "dont really need anything" ..... O.O

    At thanksgiving I ate only turkey and veggies and went to my moms for dessert but I ended up almost having a whole thanksgiving dinner when I got there... I wanted real food, haha. I only went over 100cals for the day, so it wasn't bad but meh.

    I understand everyone has their traditions, everyone has their own way of doing holiday dinners but I was really hoping they would step it up a little... :/ They talk about health all the time but they never look at their food choices. They're not fat but the food they eat is crap...

    I still say bring a dish and also eat something filling and healthy b4 you go....thats what i would do, other wise just enjoy it:)
  • ShapeUpSidney
    ShapeUpSidney Posts: 1,092 Member
    They talk about health all the time but they never look at their food choices. They're not fat but the food they eat is crap...

    I have family that is the same way. I just choke down the hamburger helper (that was made without even draining the grease) with a smile on my face and drink a ton of water to deal with all that sodium. It's a pretty rare occasion, so I'm cool
  • MJ7910
    MJ7910 Posts: 1,280 Member
    Put things in perspective.
    Be thankkful you have family to spend Chistmas with.
    When people offer you their hospitality don't judge.
    Eat a little bit of everything and you'll probably be able to keep in caloric budget

    This post isn't saying I'm being unthankful, I'm attempting to figure out a way to have a healthier meal than they're offering.

    i totally get where you're coming from. maybe try and make something like other suggested. there are tons of good side dish recipes on skinnytaste.com and on the cooking light website.
  • fiberartist219
    fiberartist219 Posts: 1,865 Member
    I busted my in laws making a similar thanksgiving dinner. The turkey was legit, but the mashed potatoes came out of a bucket from Gordon Food Service.

    For me, it was incentive to just eat smaller portions. I tend to pig out on home cooked food, because it is so tasty, but when I know that no one worked hard on it, I don't feel obligated to eat it.

    I did eat some pie though. It was delicious.
  • ACEgirl1
    ACEgirl1 Posts: 133 Member
    It's one day out of 365. Bring a healthy dish and enjoy the company!
  • Ely82010
    Ely82010 Posts: 1,998 Member
    I will be having christmas dinner at the in-laws and, to say the least, they are not a cooking, healthy food family.
    I'm 110% positive that this will be whats for dinner:
    -Pre-cooked/pre seasoned butterball turkey that was thrown into the crock pot for a couple hours.
    -Stove top stuffing
    -minimal veggies (I'm talking, like quarter cup per person)
    -pillsbury flaky rolls
    -betty crocker boxed mashed potatoes

    So... what the hell do I do with a dinner like that??

    Few years ago, we had Thanksgiving dinner at a family member’s house that does not like to cook, was very busy with everyday life, and that in addition had never baked a turkey. She ordered the whole dinner from a local market. Another very young family member that cooks very well, likes to cook, and carries family traditions, felt that all holiday’s dinners should be homemade from scratch and openly disapproved of the “market made” dinner choice.

    The hostess felt insulted and hurt, and that feeling never went away. The dislike for each other has openly affected family reunions and even today, they don’t get along or like to be in the same room together.

    So, let’s not over step our boundaries and try to impose our food choices in our families or friends. Be polite, enjoy the togetherness, and in the name of the holiday spirit and the meaning of Christmas, be thankful that you are enjoying the day with family. There are many people that will go hungry these holidays and many soldiers that would love to have warm mashed potatoes out of a box or a Pillsbury biscuit with their families.

    Merry Christmas
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    I will be having christmas dinner at the in-laws and, to say the least, they are not a cooking, healthy food family.
    I'm 110% positive that this will be whats for dinner:
    -Pre-cooked/pre seasoned butterball turkey that was thrown into the crock pot for a couple hours.
    -Stove top stuffing
    -minimal veggies (I'm talking, like quarter cup per person)
    -pillsbury flaky rolls
    -betty crocker boxed mashed potatoes

    So... what the hell do I do with a dinner like that??

    Few years ago, we had Thanksgiving dinner at a family member’s house that does not like to cook, was very busy with everyday life, and that in addition had never baked a turkey. She ordered the whole dinner from a local market. Another very young family member that cooks very well, likes to cook, and carries family traditions, felt that all holiday’s dinners should be homemade from scratch and openly disapproved of the “market made” dinner choice.

    The hostess felt insulted and hurt, and that feeling never went away. The dislike for each other has openly affected family reunions and even today, they don’t get along or like to be in the same room together.

    So, let’s not over step our boundaries and try to impose our food choices in our families or friends. Be polite, enjoy the togetherness, and in the name of the holiday spirit and the meaning of Christmas, be thankful that you are enjoying the day with family. There are many people that will go hungry these holidays and many soldiers that would love to have warm mashed potatoes out of a box or a Pillsbury biscuit with their families.

    Merry Christmas

    Absolutely.

    As someone who cooks for large groups of people on a regular basis (all the holidays, birthdays, etc.), I put a lot of soul into my meals. Even if someone just bought it, they still paid for it, set it out, and invited you to partake in it with them. That's a nice thing to do. Appreciate it.
  • nrvo
    nrvo Posts: 473 Member
    Eat before you go so you're not starving. Politely try a little bit of everything, extra heavy on the veggies. Offer to bring a salad or a (light) dessert.
  • sunnyday789
    sunnyday789 Posts: 309 Member
    Put things in perspective.
    Be thankkful you have family to spend Chistmas with.
    When people offer you their hospitality don't judge.
    Eat a little bit of everything and you'll probably be able to keep in caloric budget

    This post isn't saying I'm being unthankful, I'm attempting to figure out a way to have a healthier meal than they're offering.

    You're right; your question was "what the hell am I suposed to do....?". I read between the lines of this post and some of your other replies and picked up an attitude that wasn't gratitude. I apologize if I misread you.
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  • Justjoshin
    Justjoshin Posts: 999 Member
    It's one day out of 365. Bring a healthy dish and enjoy the company!

    Although I do agree with this somewhat, unfortunately, this gameplan ends up turning into much more than 1 of 365.

    Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Birthdays, St Patricks Day, Fridays.... It keeps going.

    Learn portion control, and pass on some of the foods you know you shouldn't eat.
  • WickedMouse
    WickedMouse Posts: 343 Member
    why don't you make a Delicious green salad. Don't ask, just do it. My husbands family never made Salads for holiday meals, then one time I made it and I Have been asked every year to bring the salad. Maybe this could be a start to healthier holiday traditions for your family.
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