With the Holidays I am having a hard time with my husband and food. I will be getting a band in Jan/Feb. I am not on a pre-op diet yet. Here is my problem. My husband wants to have a blow out Christmas dinner with all of the fix'ns. The problem, it is just he and I and an 11 & 2 y/o. He wants to make enough food for an army. His excuse is that he wants to have a "Special" Christmas with just us as a family. I explained to him that while I don't mind that we fix a special dinner, I don't want our 11y/o thinking that this is what makes Christmas special, the food and shoving in as much as possible through out the day. I fix special foods, such as breakfast rolls, only on certain Holidays. The idea of fixing as many dished as possible is one that he grew up with. I grew up with similar but I came from a larger family and always had extra family over. Each year his family makes dinner, the first thing they say when they are done eating is, "well - we made too much againg this year and next year we will have to cut down a bit". They never do. Here is what he wants us to have for the four of us. Turkey, bread dressing, mashed potatoes, gravey, broccoli casserole, sweet potatoe casserole, mac-n-cheese, cranberry sauce, peacan pie, apple caramel crumble. Here is what I managed to talk him OUT OF, green marshmellow fruit thing, cranberry-orange nut thing, and ham. Maybe I should post this on rants and raves! How do you live with a food addict, before and after the band?

Your DH must be related to mine. I let him select which ones ( e.g. mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, or stuffing) he wants at the dinner. The day after, I will make only 1 more dish to go with left overs. The 2nd or 3rd day, only 1 more new dish; by then he is satisfied. I occasionally will make one of the "traditional " dishes later, for an occasion, not just a holiday. He then doesn't miss it and the children get a taste of the family dishes. I lighten every dish wherever I can of suger, fat, and salt. Low fat ingredients work better than non-fat; very little taste difference. If I didn't tell him, he wouldn't know it was reduced fat. Double churned no sugar added frozen yogurt has half the calories and more grams of protein than ice cream; Better for everyone. Do check the internet I did that to one of the "mandatory" casseroles and he now likes mine better than his Mother's. I also have cut the quantity prepared whenever possible. A Turkey breast is better for us 3, rather than a whole turkey.

He still buys me no sugar added apple pie-I 'm the only one that eats apple pie (ate a little filling, and got rid of the rest.) I simplified my cooking, and prepare a # of stews, soups, etc. We also use pasta mixes which they eat and I don't (the mix helps control the amount prepared). We have a lot less bread in the house, and one storage container for cookies, chips, etc. They have to buy it and put it in there; I don't want to see it. I have had to take more control of the grocery shopping and plan more (not wait until I'm driving home from work). Do check the internet for recipes. There are several sites. Also, you will want a supply of alternatives for yourself, in case the band is not as tolerant of the dish (e.g. cottage cheese, non fat yogurt) It is a struggle, but you can control yourself. and change your children's future. Good Luck

After discussing my upcoming journey with diets and trying to get approved and when/if I do get approved for the band w/my DH I am getting worried myself about HIS eating habits. Thanks for the tips!