How do you cook for your family??

[bluegirly 343]

I am a pre-op bandster, going for my consultation on 1/18. I'm just wondering....how do you manage to feed others in your family after you are banded? I think they will just end up eating better foods because that is what I will make for myself, and that's great! But I have a 2 year old and a 4 year old! I can't deprive them of spaghetti and other "kid" foods! Do you just end up cooking two meals? What should I expect???

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,721]

i can only speak for me...but i have done two seperate meals but i dont have wee ones like you so hub pretty much eats what i do (except more than i can)..i think you doing what works for you is what will happen and do what you have to to eat better and lose weight...nothing wrong with the whole family eating better food than just kid foods...and kids foods can be healthy also...dont deprive because you are not on a diet but just eating better and the band will help with the amounts being smaller.

i am sure you will get better answers than mine.

[bluegirly 343]

No! I appreciate all answers! Since I am so new to this I have a zillion questions and I am just soaking up info like a sponge!

[tym4me 206]

I have two teenage boys and hubby to cook for so I actually prepare all meals catering to them, and then for me I take what I can an a half cup or so.

I never could get into the cooking two meal thing. I give credit to the ones who do!!

[Jachut 487]

They eat what I eat, or I eat what they eat. I don't "deprive" them if anything - spaghetti for instance. Bolognaise made with hugh quality minced beef, lots of tomatoes, veggies, a low salt base, wholewheat Pasta,what is wrong with that? We eat lots if lean meats off the BBQ, with salads, curries with brown rice, homemade Soups, same a what we always ate.

I may or may not partake in a takeaway meal though, I loathe pizza for example and really wouldn't waste the calories on Chinese food either although we never get that. But the occasional Thai meal or fish and chips mmmmm. Very tiny helpings, very occasionally!

[KAATNS 1,473]

I thought I would have trouble with this, but luckly I haven't so far. We will be saving money by not eating out as much though. My daughter says she feels bad for eating in front of me, but it really hasn't bothered me yet. I do try to have a shake before I start cooking so I'm not hungry while in the kitchen. My husband has helped with cooking more too.

[kazjim98 618]

I have a husband and 4 children so I just cook what they usually eat, for them.....Me I'm still on mushies and when I graduate to "regular" food I will adjust my food and cook different for myself if I can't eat what they are eating. So far it hasn't been a problem.....they are all very helpful and supportive.

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

I don't cook two meals, I cook one meal for all of us. I just cook healthy versions of old favorites and have a much smaller portion that I used to eat.

For instance, I made spaghetti for dinner last night. I use the light Prego sauce then add a lot of my own spices to jazz it up. I use whole grain spaghetti noodles and 90% fat free ground beef. A one cup serving (pasta and sauce combined) is just under 350 calories.

I have introduced some new dishes, like chicken breasts baked coated in corn flakes as an alternative to frying, but everything has been well received by my family. They genuinely like it. And the old favorites I've changed to make healthier, quite honestly, they can't even tell a difference unless I tell them I changed it.

I had to have this surgery because my eating habits were horrible. In my mind, I would be doing my kids a grave injustice to continue to feed them unhealthy food just because it's what they are used to. I don't want them to have my fate, I want them to grow into healthy adults. I see this as my chance to teach them to cook and eat healthy while still enjoying their meals.

[Domika03 309]

Oh gosh, I can't imagine cooking 2 different meals. Kudos to anyone that can do that

For the most part, I ten to cook 1 meal. The difference... it's healthier than it used to be. I bake, never fry, and use wine if I'm going to cook something on the stove top, instead of oil.

There are some great healthy cooking web sites you can go to where you can find healthy & easy recipies. As for having many questions, ask away. You've got to the right website for help.

Good luck at your appointment

[FLORIDAYS 3,040]

I don't cook 2 meals either. I don't have that much energy, desire or time!!! I cook for my family like normal and eat what I can. Usually it's always a protien, veggie and starch anyway so I am good to go sticking with my portions. Every once in a while the family wants pizza or something I just cannot eat like French fried potatoes....so I just make do with whatever I can and supplement if need be.

[megamomnj 334]

I have a five year old and a two year old so I feel your pain. We do cook two meals, but mostly because of time. I get home with the boys at about 4:30pm and they go to be at 6:30pm. I know it sounds crazy that they go to bed so early but they are up getting ready for daycare at 5:30am because my husband and I both have to be in work early. I can't eat that early so my husband and I eat after they go to bed.

I have been making a ton of meals on the weekend and freezing them. I double the recipe and it makes about three to four meals for us because of the serving size I eat. My crockpots have been working overtime! Makes it a lot easier to make smart choices.

Good luck!

Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

[maegan 51]

They eat what I eat and occasionally if it is something my picky 6 year old will not eat, he has pbj. It was harder right after when I was on liquids and mushy food. They were pretty much on their own then!

[dee257 1,516]

Most days I cook 2 meals....I have 5 children and hubby...we have all been eatting much healthier...hubbys lost 30lbs....I just find it easier ..to stay on my plan...

[goalseeker 695]

I have a 2 and 4 year old as well. I cook healthy meals for all of us and if they don't like it they don't have to eat it all, BUT they have to try it. If I cook spaghetti I eat the meatballs and let them have the Pasta as well. I still eat small small portions of Pasta after I finish my Protein and veggies.

I think the best part of this is my kids are learning healthy habits early on. I'm hopeful that if they learn now they might be able to avoid weight problems in the future. I DO NOT cook two meals EXCEPT on rare occasions where I know they have tried the food and really dislike it. I think this teaches them they shouldn't eat the healthy stuff.