Question from a Non-cook

[Janey B 28]

Hi. I'm a married woman who doesn't cook. There...my confession. Haha! Well, I can cook, but I hate to, so I rarely do it. So, usually my husband either cooks or we get take out and that's been our way of life for 30 years. My question is, once I'm cleared for regular food...then what? He's like a stick. Not an ounce of body fat, and if he eats like I'm going to be eating, he will disappear. How do you deal with this? Do I cook for myself and let him fend for himself? Do I eat what he cooks but only small amounts? (meat and potatoes...) do I start cooking and try to get him to eat healthy with me? He will absolutely not eat fish, chicken, etc. What about take out? This is going to be the biggest challenge for me. Not the willpower, just the details. Help!!

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[volfan 78]

First off eating healthy will be good for him too. He will need more calories than you, but, he always has. I think your problem isn't figuring out what to eat, as much as it is jealousy of what he might eat. I think that is normal. For me, I am so happy to be on my way to healthy, that the idea of eating anything else just doesn't appeal to me. I have no hunger or desire to eat, and the mental cravings just have not gotten the best of me. I did eat 2 chicken tenders one night, and boy did I pay for it. It over filled my sleeve and I threw up several times and felt miserable physically for hours.I say worry about that bridge when you come to it, you will physically be a different person by then, and I think mentally you will have changed how you feel about food and meal times

[Janey B 28]

Thanks, and I understand what you're saying. But believe me, although I'm sure I will deal with some jealously the first time I see him sit down with a steak and potatoes or a big wet burrito, I really do have the issue of figuring out healthy meal choices that are good for my sleeve and that he will eat. If anyone has any suggestions on that, if really appreciate it. Seriously. I want to be prepared when the time comes so I don't fall back into old habits. Thanks in advance.

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[SimiStar 37]

I make something for me and then add on for him. For example I made ricotta bake and with all the extra sauce and ground turkey I made him some spaghetti and meat sauce. He had three helpings (also a thin guy) and I had my tiny serving of ricotta. All were happy! Know it's about not cooking for you so probably not the best example but the approach can be used the same. I was/am not a cook. Microwave is my friend. So I like to get easy stuff in the frozen section I can throw together in 10min or less. There are healthy options if you look.

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[KristenLe 5,979]

Try cooking together - experiment with different recipes that you can both enjoy. Take a cooking class together. You can eat together - just different portion sizes and you may skip a side dish that he has (ie. rice). If he has Pasta and meat sauce - you have the meat sauce and maybe a side of veggies.

It'll be a while before you are eating"normal foods" though so you won't be eating the same for a while. You have time to figure out what works. If you get takeout from a restaurant (rather than fast food) - you can order Protein and veggies. You will have a few meals from one dinner. It'll work out!

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

I wouldn't worry too much about him wasting away. He can always have more (volume) than you and can have extra carbs/sugars (if you can stand having them in the house).

[katiecem 24]

Another option with restaurant meals is to order one meal that has something you can eat and then extra sides for him. You really won't be eating that much so he'll still get enough. It would be great to find away to get him excited about some different, healthier choices. Maybe by you ordering so there's something for you, he will learn to enjoy some different things. Good luck.

[rebecca wills 190]

Think tasty bites, for example some of the first foods are ground turkey. So make sliders with sautéed onions and Italian cheese as a binding agent with egg and a little milk. It moistens and tenderizes it so it is soft. Season it with Italian seasoning makes it flavorful for you. He can put it onto a bun and you could eat one small slider size burger and I've put them into little muffins tins, pop them out stick into a zip lock and you've got quick warm ups for both of you when ever. By adding egg and cheese you got a Protein packed nugget. Make some oven fries with sweet potatoes and eat a couple if your not full. I can eat 1 slider without a roll. And I eat two slices of sweet potato and I'm done.

Keep it simple, Protein first always! You will be able to eat steak eventually. So don't fret!

I've puréed steak and potatoes.

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[Squeek2000 2]

I am not much of a cook either. However, I have found a Lot of quick nutritious foods at Traders Joe's. Also, there is a forum on this site that has great easy meal ideas! Good luck

[Janey B 28]

Thanks! Great ideas! But....puréed steak and potatoes?? ....yuck! LOL

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[Janey B 28]

My surgery is scheduled for September 19, so I've got a LONG way to go before I have to worry about it. Just want to get ideas so I'm prepared. Probably over thinking it!

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[KristenLe 5,979]

My surgery is scheduled for September 19, so I've got a LONG way to go before I have to worry about it. Just want to get ideas so I'm prepared. Probably over thinking it!

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It's good to consider these issues ahead of time!

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[JacksdadShane 65]

My wife and I basically eat different meals every night. I am almost a year out and we still eat different meals.

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[Uniqbtrfly 27]

We eat take out a lot because it is just the two of us. We usually choose the Black eye Pea, Cracker Barrell...places where there is a big choice. I do not eat bread, sugars, or anything white...no potatoes. It's really not that hard once you get the hang of it. I love Chick-Fila's grilled chicken nuggets!...no sauce or waffle fries...even though I loved them. Every once in a while I will eat an egg mcmuffin with real bacon instead of canadian bacon on it.

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[Dchase521 10]

Hi. I'm a married woman who doesn't cook. There...my confession. Haha! Well, I can cook, but I hate to, so I rarely do it. So, usually my husband either cooks or we get take out and that's been our way of life for 30 years. My question is, once I'm cleared for regular food...then what? He's like a stick. Not an ounce of body fat, and if he eats like I'm going to be eating, he will disappear. How do you deal with this? Do I cook for myself and let him fend for himself? Do I eat what he cooks but only small amounts? (meat and potatoes...) do I start cooking and try to get him to eat healthy with me? He will absolutely not eat fish, chicken, etc. What about take out? This is going to be the biggest challenge for me. Not the willpower, just the details. Help!!

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I am also married, and I don't cook. My husband is a professional chef. I eat mostly what he eats as far as Protein and veggies, just smaller quantities. I avoid carbs and sugar. I have my healthy Snacks (Protein Bars, cheese, nuts, granola, fruit). We eat together most every night, and at first, it was tough, but I chose this route and it doesn't bother me as much.

We spent a lot of time on the road this summer for our son's travel baseball, so that was a lot of take out. We did fast food (Breakfast or sandwich, I ate the fillings without the bread). We went to restaurants (salads with a vinaigrette, grilled chicken or shrimp). Kept plenty of fruit and yogurt in the hotel room for Snacks.

Bottom line, my husband hasn't been inconveniencedo, and I'm down 50 pounds (surgery was 5/4/16). You can handle it all!

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