Diet for one

[muppet]

I know many of you are dieting with a buddy -- your spouse, a friend.. whatever. I think that's great. It would be nice to plan healthy meals, with your significant other.
However, my family is already fit and healthy. They eat a pretty good diet. I don't see why I should subject them to the restrictions I put on myself.
How do you guys do it? Do you fix yourself a different meal? Do you alter your serving? I do this sometimes --for example-- when I make spaghetti, I usually reserve some sauce with no meat, for me. Or do you just eat what you can, or eat really small amounts?
I have a preteen daughter. She is fit and healthy. I don't want her to develope eating issues, or become overly concerned about it, because of me. I'm all for healthy choices. But she alread makes them. I'm a little worried that if she sees me obviously dieting, and thinking so much about food, that she will too. And I don't want to mess up a good thing!
This goes for all of my family. They eat a fair amount of junk, but eat a lot of good stuff too. And most importantly, I think -- they eat only if they are hungry. They don't eat out of boredom, or because it's time too.
The food we eat as a family is good food. Maybe not what you should eat, if you're trying to lose weight, but not junk. I don't want my kids thinking there are 'bad' foods.
I hate thinking about it all the time. I know I have to, but I don't want them to, because they don't need to.

[bradybunch]

I can understand your concerns but I don't think that you dieting should necessary impact that heavily on your family. The things that you are already doing sound as though they are working really well - cooking the same foods but changing your own portion sizes etc. are great. As long as you fill the house with healthy balanced food choices, the rest of your family can continue to eat as they wish and you have healthy choices available to you. And of course, I don't think there's anything wrong with having more fresh fruit and veggies etc. available to the rest of the family!

I think it's positive and a sign that you are a very caring parent that you are so concerned about your teen daughter's body image and I'm sure that you wouldn't do anything that would impact her negatively - only one thing I would maybe suggest would be that when you are talking about your food choices, put the emphasis on the fact that you are making these choices for good health, not just for weight loss so that she doesn't get hung up on the idea of losing weight all the time.

You sound as though you have a healthy well-balanced approach - I'm sure you'll do fine!

[pathoulihanuk]

I agree and dont feel left out they will appreciate the effort your making i think its great what your acheuveing i always try to make a meal in a fun way as well.
Patrick

[muppet]

I'm probably a little hypersensitive about the subject. I have a close relative who is anorexic / bulimic. I know these seeds were planted when she was a kid. It didn't show up till she was in her 30's. But as I learn more about her childhood, it's obvious to me where the root of the problem is. This girl was constantly compared to one of her aunts, a rather large woman. I'm sure this got into her brain, and she always felt bad about herself. She was 5'9', and weighed 145 pounds, and thought she was a cow, when she was a teenager.
As an adult, she almost died because of this disease.
I will focus on my health. There are some things I just can't eat because I do have high cholesteral. I guess it's probably a good thing for kids to learn that we can't always have what we want. And I do try to keep lots of healthy choices around for them, and for me. But they can also have Bunny Tracks ice cream, which is completely off limits for me!
Now, if I could just find a treat that I can have, that they won't eat as well, I'll be doing great. They all love those Skinny Cows. I think someone said , to keep their kids out of them,they hid them in an empty frozen vegetable box? lol -- sounds like a great idea!

[Big_Girl_Bigger_Heart]

I think you being aware of the repercusions of your choices is more then what a lot of people can say. Growing up in the south, food was "love" so to speak. We basicly cooked to show our love, and ate together all the time. Breads, potatos, chicken fried steak....we even made fried corn. Not to mention that gravys. My lord.
As an adult, that behavior stayed with me. Living in a state where it's cold 9 months out of the year, you become less active as well. So, the weight came on easily.. and very quickly after my relationship of eight years ended.
I cannot relate to an eatting disorder in the sense of bulimia. I can just relate to cooking as a way to express love.
I think as long as you explain to your children that you're doing this because it's healthy, and important that your body has the "Proper" nutrition, they will understand. Kids are really smart like that. In the case of your friend, I am sure her disorder came from being put down a lot, which is terrible.
If you want a good idea for a treat...I suggest Carb Karma from Ben and Jerry's. Buy each of the kids their own special pint of ice cream, and get one for yourself. That way it's fun, and easier on you.
Lady Jami

[Jules]

Your family is lucky to have someone as caring for them as you -and they will care for you right back. It will be just fine if you explain it's about health not weight I'm sure. Let them know about non-scale victories like about how much better you feel and other activities you can do now. They will be proud of you for being stronger and healthier. Remind them about well-balanced nutrition and how maybe you haven't been balancing things right lately and need to eat some different foods to balance out your meals.
Also, I have an alternative that might help with the ice cream bit. I get no-sugar fudgesicles. (They also make popsicles and creamsicles) These might be more helpful in that 1) they're cheaper so you can afford them for the kids too, and 2) I always avoided things as a kid that pronounced they had no sugar added. It's like buying ice cream in a spinach box. I think the fudgesicles are very satisfying and they are only 40 cal/bar. (See them here: Popsicle Healthy Options Both Krogers and Wal-mart carry them where I live. Might be an option for you, it's really helped me.

As for the actual meals, I think it would depend on the meal. Serving size is definately a consideration no matter what you fix, but maybe you can find small ways to change your portions, like not adding cheese toppings etc. In my family someone was always picky about eating something, so it wasn't a big deal if 1 person ate differently than others. If you can alter the meal, but if it's just not practical just make a chicken breast for yourself instead of a burger, or whatever, and just say you felt like eating chicken instead. I think you can make dinner differences without disrupting others. I definately agree that you should make enoughy healthy options so that the kids can choose them too. For example, if you make a side of mac and cheese and a side of salad, you can eat the salad and the kids can have either or both. You don't have to eat some of everything you cook.

[pathoulihanuk]

People dont realise how serious aneroxia or bullima is addictive i hope you friend is ok now its the other flipside of the coin which is very unhealthy as well.