Living with someone with poor eating habits

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Permalink Reply by Brandy Rhodes on January 3, 2010 at 10:56am

Hello!

I have been in a similar situation in the past and it is very distressing....especially when you try so hard and you really want the other person to understand how much better they will feel if they eat better and stay active. So, my only advices are to continue to make separate meals and hope that you can lead by example, or try making healthier meals that have lots of flavor like chicken with onions, green peppers, and spices...and maybe put this on top of pasta or brown rice. I have found that even those who refuse (almost resist) to eat healthier foods will agree with how good this smells and tastes...and just maybe they will come around slowly but surely. I have found that if you can add a lot of flavor (onions, peppers, salsas, lemon-pepper, etc)...a lot of times you can add flavor without adding extras calories and you may be able to get those stubborn loved ones and/or friends to get on board. Hope this helps..and good luck!

Brandy

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Permalink Reply by Lori on January 4, 2010 at 9:59am

Thanks for your suggestions.

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Permalink Reply by Robert Todd Waddell on January 4, 2010 at 10:08am

I have the same problem. Spouse is the primary cook, and we have 3 kids, lots of activities, so time impacts the cooking, there is a lot of fast food, easy meals, and those all seem to be the high calories, high carb, high fat, foods. You almost have to start making 2 different meal plans. And that is often not practical, or doable. Its hard.

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Permalink Reply by Lori on January 4, 2010 at 11:14am

My frustration is the lack of cooperation. I have more time than someone with 3 kids and tons of actvities to work around so I guess I can be thankful for that! That would be hard.

I feel physically ill when I don't eat properly so I have some resentment sometimes over having to make separate meals.
I really don't like feeling sick OR resentful!!

Happy New Year everybody!
Lori

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Permalink Reply by AmandaS on January 4, 2010 at 12:31pm

Hi, I had the same problem with my husband as well. It became really hard for me when we were constantly going out to dinner which usually would include cocktails before the meal and wine with the meal. I almost felt like I was fighting a losing battle. Now, we're on a pretty tight budget (thanks to the economy), so I have really started making an effort to cook meals that are both tasty and healthy. I also try to stick with small portion sizes and have the added bonus of leftovers. Now my husband has decided that he is going on one of those programs like nutrasystem where you eat 3 meals and 2 snacks a day and everything is prepackaged, measured out and all he has to do is heat it up. So, now I get to enjoy cooking for myself!

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Permalink Reply by Rethers on January 7, 2010 at 7:27am

I have the same problem with my husband who actually really needs to lose about 60 pounds. But I can't get him to eat healthy. And not only is it a pain to make two meals, it's more expensive! For instance, I have to buy white bread in addition to wheat; white rice and brown rice, lots of veggies and lots of processed crap. He says he can't stand the taste of the food I like to eat. Ugh! The only way I have found to deal with it is just get used to it. I make a big batch of something on the weekends so I have it to reheat thru the week for lunches or dinners and I make healthy meals 1 or 2 nights a week. On occasion he will eat what I make or he will make his own dinner. That's the trade-off for me. Good luck to you. I like to think I'm setting an example as well but it doesn't seem to be making any difference. However, I will keep doing what is best for me and my health no matter what.

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Permalink Reply by Lori on January 21, 2010 at 9:01pm

I was always taught that your husbands wants come before yours if you are to be a good wife. I now realize that is not always right. It is okay to take care of myself and not feel guilty about it. (still working on this though) It is also not my responsiblility to make someone else eat properly. Sometimes I make separate meals but other times decide if he won't eat what I make then he can either starve or make something else for himself. Yes, it depends on the mood I am in.
You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink!

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