What do you feed your families?

Our main thing is that dinner is family time. The focus is the members of the family coming together to share a meal and re-connect.

Absolutely. Food and family meals connect us, unless we let them divide us.

I have three kids. Two of them eat pretty much whatever I make but the third ( my 9 yr old ) is a little more complicated... I still make alot of the same dishes I always made but have changed them up a little... Whole grain pasta, low sodium sauces, low fat cheeses, skim milk, sugar free drink mixes... I use olive oil instead of vegetable oil....when we are out and about I buy them bottled water instead of sodas but I let them use my MIO...they like that even better than the sugary drinks.....I havent bought sugar in like a year...not even splenda....Those little changes help me with my dieting but it also helps my whole family eat healthier...

I usually make just one thing... the only real exception being if it's something super spicy. My son is a good eater and has never been pickey. Yes he likes some things more than others but he will try anything. If he hates it I won't force him to take more than a bite but there isn't much that he hates.

I usually plan my meals around what everyone likes so there aren't many complaints.

And to answer the question posted earlier... yes I do cook things for my boys that I don't care for and I eat it. While I do the cooking I am not the only person in the family so sometimes I, have to suck it up and eat the darn ham because they like it. Usually I take a smaller portion and load up on sides but I do eat it. They are free to do the same if I make something I like and they don't care for. They (husband and son) can take a small portion and load up on the sides. It works in our house.

I don't see why it's a hot topic. We all have the right to parent our kids and manage our famlies as we see fit (with in the law of course) so if you want to cook a bunch of different meals, more power to you but I choose not to.

My husband eats meat and I dont so I always have to cook slightly different entrees and all sides are the same. You really do have to put time into learning how to bake healthier treats like cookies and cakes rather then buying them at the store. Its more time consuming but thats the price we have to pay. I say let them eat what you cook so your whole family can start to be healthier. My husband has also lost 11 lbs and not by choice just because I cook and buy food different than I did before. Good luck!

I don't necessarily cook different meals. I try to improvise with the same ingredients. My kids aren't to picky. So they eat what's in front of them or they can go to bed without dinner. Only exceptions I will make if we are having something that kids can't eat or really don't care for. Like spicy food, I will maybe make the same meal but then separate to add spices for us. They get a variation of what we eat.

Fellow mommas, what do you cook for hubby and the kids? I usually make myself something healthy, and something that taste good for the family.

Is your "healthy" dish not tasty? This comment really stood out to me...I can't imagine eating a healthy meal that wasn't tasty while watching my family eat tasty food. That's what can make what you're doing a "diet". Why not make this a lifestyle change for the whole family?

What are your kids/husbands favorite foods? Make a list with 2 columns and add those. In the second column put healthier versions of those foods. Search google for the healthier versions or just improvise yourself.

Healthy food is DELICIOUS...it's not all carrot chips and salads. Cookinglight.com is a great site alone with skinnytaste.com and emilybites.com. I use these sites and also create my own easy recipes.

I guess I hadn't thought of it. I don't make different meals, but my kids eat almost anything I put in front of them. We've always had good meals in terms of "healthy" just sometimes they were bigger than needed. My 2 year old LOVES broccoli and carrots. My 15 year old begs for asparagus. I've not had a meal where no one will it is. The 15 year old is able to pick and choose. If she doesn't want what we are having there is always items for a nice hefty salad. And she will make that. I do agree with some variations in the meals. If they want something that I would rather not waste the calories on, I'll make it a bit different for me. But I can't even think of an instance on this. I don't put rules on eating. I don't make it a big deal. I make it fun and flavorful. We are a not a clean your plate household, BUT we do not waste food. We use all leftovers and cover uneaten plates. I want my kids to have a positive thinking of how and what they eat, not that they were forced to eat things they didn't like.

I also want to add........ You can make ANYTHING healthy. Fully believe that. I ask sometimes what they want to eat and then make the healthier version of it. It may not be 0 calories or no fat, but it's better than an original that is a days worth of calories. Invest in the Comfort Food Diet cookbooks. They are the BOMB!!!! You won't have to worry about cooking separate meals EVER

Thanks for the tips, I think that is one of my main problems, my healthy food can be bland, and raw or plain steamed veggies are not appealing to my 8 and 3 year olds

serve them the same veggies, just offer them some ranch dressing for dip (or greek yogurt with dip mix) or put some parmesan on them.

Thanks for the tips, I think that is one of my main problems, my healthy food can be bland, and raw or plain steamed veggies are not appealing to my 8 and 3 year olds

Have you offered it to them? My kids LOVE steamed broccoli, carrots and mushrooms. LOVE IT. I toss it with garlic and some butter and they gobble it up. I agree with the others though, keep offering and maybe something to dip it in. My son LOVES "dip dips" and will eat anything as long as he can do that. Try it, I bet eventually they will learn to like those things. OR steam it and add some cheese on top for them.

we all eat different meals, it doesn't bother me at all. Two of my boys have food allergies, I'm a vege and OH is just plain fussy :laugh:
We do eat the same twice a week though ( roast dinner and fry up) you need to do what works for you. I have a treat drawer and the boys are only allowed to have something after meals... luckily they love 85% cocoa chocolate...

Fellow mommas, what do you cook for hubby and the kids? I usually make myself something healthy, and something that taste good for the family. Should i just make everyone eat the same thing. Cooking multiple dishes can be so tedious and my family should eat healthy too, but i want the food to also be enjoyable. Also i hate having any kind of junk food chips, cookies, candy in the house because i dont have that much self control. Should i get rid of it for everyone? All suggestions are welcome and pleas share your personal experiance.

I have a weekly dinner menu that we follow, what is on the menu will not always be something that hubby & I will want to eat. In those cases we make salads or saute up some chicken & veggies. My family typically eats pretty healthy though. Of course we have pasta & cheese days on the menu lol As far as junk food, I have cut it all out of the house. The kids don't need that crap. Their snacks consist of fruit, yogurt, cheese, popcorn and nuts.

Fellow mommas, what do you cook for hubby and the kids? I usually make myself something healthy, and something that taste good for the family. Should i just make everyone eat the same thing. Cooking multiple dishes can be so tedious and my family should eat healthy too, but i want the food to also be enjoyable. Also i hate having any kind of junk food chips, cookies, candy in the house because i dont have that much self control. Should i get rid of it for everyone? All suggestions are welcome and pleas share your personal experiance.

I cook the same thing I eat for my family. You're right, multiple dishes would be a pain. Of course, my kids aren't picky eaters so they eat most of what I cook. And as far as sweets is concerned, make the low-calorie, low-sugar desserts yourself. My family loves it when I make over a recipe. If you think they won't like it, don't tell them the ingredients before they try it. Hope this helps.

We eat good and healthy.
The kids get crusts of stale bread, and lukewarm ditch water.
It was good enough for me, and it builds their character..

Yeah I feel guilty that I eat healthy and my family only eats what tastes great to them. I try to slip in moderations where ever I can.

2 of 3 kids hate fish - I love it, I don't make fish and then tell them to take it or leave it!! I make them chicken or a pasta or something else. I usualy make a few dinner choices and then we take leftovers to work the next day. I WAS a short order cook for a living and I don't mind. Every person has different tastes.