So how do I eat better w/a family of 6?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2003
So how do I eat better w/a family of 6?
8
Mon, 09-13-2004 - 9:07am
I know I can create ways to make healthier meals for all of us but if I am really going to work on my weight, I need to seriously cut back on calories/fat/carbs and the rest of my family doesn't need that strict of a plan. The boys, both teenagers, need their carbs for energy for sports, etc. The girls do too and then there's my husband who can think weightloss and lose 20lbs if he wants to! Arrghh!

So how do we do it? Mike, my DH, makes meals on the days I work p/t. We eat a lot of chicken and red meats but have already limited our meals to less pasta, less sauces, and more grilled foods. Do I take away the kids' snack cakes, chips, etc just so I won't be tempted or do I just have to get really strong and say 'no' when those things are in my cabinets and I'm home on my days off....alone....

Any suggestions or plans on what you do would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Lisa

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-18-2003
Mon, 09-13-2004 - 10:15am

I wish I had better advice for you, but I know blending the tastes of 6 different individuals with somethign that's reasonably healthy for all is a tall order!

~~ Steffy ~~
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Mon, 09-13-2004 - 11:38am

I think that if you keep healthy snacks in the house to have as an option to the higher calorie/less good for you snacks it would help.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2003
Mon, 09-13-2004 - 11:58am

Well, I only have my son and I, and he's a teen too.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 09-13-2004 - 12:48pm

Oh Lisa....I probably won't have anything much to add here- I have a hard enough time cooking for one, lol! But I understand your dilemma. I think what the others have posted has been great- some wonderful suggestions there. Also you could really involve everyone to think of healthier, more nutritious snacks BEFORE you go shopping. Also--- is it possible to have a storage container just for you? You could put your 'snacks' in there...and not be 'allowed' to go to the others ;-)


Good Luck with it!
...and remember..............

~-~ Moderation is Key ~-~

_____________________________________________________

Avatar for queenbeana
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Mon, 09-13-2004 - 12:58pm
Hi Lisa...



It's really not a matter of what you cook it's a matter of how much of what you cook you eat. The best thing I ever did was invest in a set of measuring cups just for my food. Before you eat what everyone else is eating figure out what a serving size is (use a small scale if necessary.. They are cheap). Look on the back of boxes and bags. Once you determine what the offical serving size is measure it out. Log your food. In some cases if I want fast food fries I'll eat less then a serving or I'll adjust my other meals accordingly. Now that said there are a few staples I keep around when I make things that I don't plan on eating. For example I love oatmeal with a couple of tblspns of brown sugar and a tblspn of cinnamon. It's very quick to make and filling and when I make a meal that doesn't fit into my nutrition needs of the days but the kids want it... Then I just take 5 mins while I'm cooking and add a serving of oatmeal to the microwave.

Also, Use www.fitday.com. I've noticed most everyone seems to use it to log their food and I've been using it now for almost 2 years. I love it. That way every time you eat you can quickly see how you are doing that day. How much did you have??? Do you need more carbs??? Less Fat??? etc. I lost a ton of weight a few years ago when I got super concious of what I ate and started eating A "Single" Serving at each meal.

Sabrina

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-18-2003
Mon, 09-13-2004 - 2:25pm

OH, sure, Sabrina throw that 'portion size' card on us!!

~~ Steffy ~~
Avatar for queenbeana
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Mon, 09-13-2004 - 9:24pm
LOL Sorry Steffy

As hard as we try there is no getting around it. I honestly never diet. I can't do it. I love food. Fortunately I'm a fitness fanatic and learned a long time ago that the word diet didn't mean not eating things. It meant eating the right amount of the items I choose to eat. Thank GOODNESS for Fitday. It has saved me a ton of paper logging my food since i found it.


Another great portion control tip... When you bring home a bag of chips (even if it's "For the kids") Immediately place a single portion size in snack or sandwich ziploc bags. That way if you get the munchies and have to have a chip. You'll grab the right size bag. If you eat just one great but if you get carried away and don't stop till the bag is empty no problem. You only ate about 150 cals not the 1000 in the whole bag. An added bonus is you keep the chips fresh and you teach your children what a serving is. They can have a "baggie". Ofcourse this tip also works with cookies.

Sabrina

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 09-16-2004 - 12:16am
Fitday is a must to track your calories...you'd be surprised how quickly they add up. And I agree with the others that it really comes down to portion control. This month's Shape magazine has a good article on portion control. I have a DS and a DH, who are both very thin and can eat whatever they want. I have to really work on not eating like they do. And of course, the best thing you can do is exercise.