How do you eat healthy when the rest of your family isn't?

bigbunnymama · 07-03-2009, 09:10 PM

I just signed up for ediets, having lost over 40pounds with them in the past. I am not sure whether I will do the Glycemic Impact, Living With Diabetes or just the plain ediets diet yet. I just went to the grocery store (before signing up) and although I bought lots of fresh veggies, berries, yogurt and turkey products, I did not get many of the items needed to make the suggested foods and will not be able to until next payday - in 2 weeks...But I digress.

My problem: I live with 3 boys (including hubby) who could live off of white bread, potatoes (in fact DH eats them with nearly every meal), white pasta and chips. I know that it is going to be difficult cooking 2 separate meals, although I know I have to for my health. How do you stick to your diet when everyone around you is eating *forbidden* foods? I would appreciate any and all ideas!

Thanks in advance!!

KatCarney · 07-03-2009, 09:29 PM

Why do you need to make two different meals? If you cook a healthy dinner that fits the plan you're on, won't they eat it?

If they tend to snack alot on things that are 'tempting' to you, one thing that might help is if you load up your body on highly nutritious things earlier in the day.

In other words, don't 'save' your veggies till dinner.

Eat a big healthy breakfast, and try to get several servings of veggies in between your breakfast and lunch.

The more 'well fed' you are, earlier in the day, the less likely you are to be tempted by the other stuff.

Also, getting into a solid exercise routine will also help with your desires for healthy food over not-so-healthy.

kirvygerl · 07-03-2009, 09:58 PM

I don't see any reason why your family can't eat nutritious foods right along with you. You'll want to set your kiddos up for life-long good eating habits, so it would be great for them to start now! How old are they? Can they get involved in the process so they're more apt to want to make changes (even simple changes like white bread to wheat, white rice to brown, ect really add up). If they're old enough, I'd give them an age appropriate nutrition lesson and let them know the reasons we need to keep ourselves healthy (immediate impact like energy for school and growth, long term impact like avoiding diabetes, obesity, other diseases later in life). Then, I'd get them involved in the kitchen helping with food prep and using that time to teach them good nutrition. You could also check with the local community college or county office to see if they have a short-term "family nutrition" classes. Those are great fun, short (usually 2-6 weeks), are usually cheap, and offer wonderful information. They can often cover inexpensive, healthy meals for the entire family and also go over healthy substitutions.

In reference to snacks, I buy stuff that I'm okay eating occasionally if I have a "snack attack." My kids are still pretty young, so they don't ask for certain things yet, but I get whole grain crackers, real fruit and whole-wheat fruit bars, popcorn for the air popper we have, and make a healthy granola. We do fruits and cut-up cheese for a snack, celery with p-nut butter and raisins on it, celery with cream cheese, dried fruit and nuts, yogurt, ect. Do you have a Trader Joe's near you? They have great snack items that are a good price and are a good alternative to the unhealthier items (fruit bars that have no hydrogenated oils and no HFCS, taste great and are cheap, an "oreo" alternative that is pretty decent, ect).

Best of luck!

februarystar · 07-04-2009, 01:55 AM

If they want something that isn't healthy and nutritious then let them fend for themselves! I don't know how old your kids are, but I'm sure they will soon eat what they are given when they get hungry enough

Besides, surely an arguement with them today is much better than diabetes and heart disease in the future?

bigbunnymama · 07-04-2009, 12:58 PM

My boys are 7 and 10, but only the 10 year old lives with his Dad and I, and believe me, he does tend for himself!! He's going through a major growth spurt and has grown almost 6 inches taller in the past year and gone from a boy's size 12 to a man's 32" waist! I cannot get him to eat any vegetables aside from potatoes, raw spinach and corn. He also plays biddy football, bails hay and walks with me and the dog 2X daily, so he gets plenty of exercise.

As for my husband, God love him, but he HAS to have his potatoes and I have tried whole grain bread and brown rice only to hear him complain and b*%ch like a 13 year old girl. Needless to say, it isn't worth the fight.

So yes, pretty much 2 different meals. At the very least, different side dishes.

As for snacking, that isn't really a problem. I don't like potato chips or popcorn. My weakness would be sweets like Little Debbies and ice cream. I didn't buy any Little Debbie's, but the DH did buy the ice cream. Uggghhh...

I think most of the problem comes from my working to 6 pm, having a 45 minute commute and then having to feed my animals before I can even begin to cook supper! By then it is 7:30/8:00 and we don't even get to eat until 8:30/9:00. I then walk the dog, clean up the kitchen and it is 10:30/11:00 and I'm ready for bed!

Please do not suggest having DH start supper, we get in at the same time and he has a huge garden that he tends while I'm feeding the animals. He cleans up and gets the boy to clean up while I am preparing supper. My DH is a diesel mechanic so it is necessary for him to shower before we eat *lol*

I know it sounds like a lot of excuses, and probably is, but I don't really know how else to deal with the issue. I guess I'm just feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to go on, even though I know it has to be done.

Thank you for the advice and for letting me vent!

KatCarney · 07-04-2009, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbunnymama