Meals for you vs. meals for family

[Reigo 110]

I now eat differently and find that many of the meals I make for myself don't work as well for family meals so I find myself making my food and their food (or my husband makes his own food). We all eat healthy but it's things like spagetti squash or PB2 chicken with Shirataki noodles that are a no-go! my husband has lost 10 pounds just by eating some of my meals which puts him at his ideal body weight. My 5 year old eats limited foods and is underweight so it's common we fix her own dinner (usually high Protein noodles with butter and Parmesan or grilled chicken and black beans). There's days all three of us eat different food!

Just wondering how everyone else is handling their new lifestyle and incorporating it into a family friendly lifestyle.

[Michellemo 161]

My son has lost 12 lbs since I had surgery a year ago. I usually cook us the same thing I just eat way less. When we go out to eat we always share a meal. He is a very healthy muscular 17 year old boy and its crazy that we still have food left over at a restaurant when we've ate off the same plate. Before I would have ate the plate myself, drank about 3 sodas and I would have still been wanting more food. Thank god those days are done!

[SuzyB 182]

I will be watching this. I have 4 kids who all have different tastes and I try hard not to be a short order chef. I hope that I can find enough ways of cooking that at least get them to try the food. I admit I am worried for the 2 wk full liquid stage. How will it be to cook stuff I cannot eat. I am working on getting several meals in the freezer so I have to only reheat.

[LipstickLady 25,682]

I make one meal with a Protein, a veggie (usually salad) and a starch. If someone doesn't like what I make, they are more than welcome to make a PB&J or a bowl of Cereal. This has been the rule in my house since my 15 and 13 year old were toddlers. The only exception is seafood. My oldest WILL NOT touch fish of any sort. I always make her chicken with enough leftovers for my husband to take to work the next day.

[KimMarh 99]

Well I have it even worse. Me and my husband both had the sleeve, and we have two teenage girls at home so many times I am making 3 different meals. He doesn't like or want the same things I eat. For instance I made spaghetti but had to make 2 different types of pasta... He wont eat white Pasta and I wont eat wheat!!...

[marfar7 1,528]

My hubby has eaten low carb (to be read almost NO carb) since I've known him (almost 3 yrs). Once a month or so he splurges and eats pizza or something else he loves (like a whole half gallon of ice cream at once!) So before I was sleeved (I'd been banded since before knowing him), I'd make both of us meat and veggies and just add a little Pasta or potato to mine. Worked out fine. Since being sleeved (6 weeks now), I'm still on soft foods right now (after a long 4 weeks of liquids) and we usually eat 2 different meals. he still eats his meat and veggies that I can't have. Broccoli never looked so good until I can't have any (2 more weeks and counting!)

When I'm on regular food again I plan on making the same meal for both of us. He eats rally healthy anyway (much healthier than I did with my band!). If I stick to small portions of what he eats, I'm sure to lose the last 26 lbs I need to lose! That is if I don't add Pasta or potatoes to it!

[marfar7 1,528]

Well I have it even worse. Me and my husband both had the sleeve, and we have two teenage girls at home so many times I am making 3 different meals. He doesn't like or want the same things I eat. For instance I made spaghetti but had to make 2 different types of Pasta... He wont eat white Pasta and I wont eat wheat!!...

Just curious, how do you do with pasta? Pasta and bread are 2 of my fav foods and they told me I couldn't eat them with my lapband. I did without problems (only a small amt anyway). I'm 6 weeks in and still on a soft iet (2 more weeks till regular) but worrying that I'll never again be able to enjoy Olive Gardens pasta and breadsticks. Am I worrying for nothing? Most people on this board don't eat them and I wonder if it's because they CAN'T or just don't to help them lose weight faster?

How do you do on them? Does it fill your stomach up quickly or cause any pain?

[KimMarh 99]

I just eat very very little, more sauce with ground turkey...

[SeaGirl 193]

I will be watching this. I have 4 kids who all have different tastes and I try hard not to be a short order chef. I hope that I can find enough ways of cooking that at least get them to try the food. I admit I am worried for the 2 wk full liquid stage. How will it be to cook stuff I cannot eat. I am working on getting several meals in the freezer so I have to only reheat.

I thought it would be tough. For some reason it was not. Maybe because I resolved to follow the surgeons instructions, but oddly even though the food looked good. I just haven't been tempted to eat things that I shouldn't. It's gotten a little tougher this week, at the end of 3 wks of liquids. I get to start soft food tomorrow. But still, I'm hanging in there.

[TwinsMama 483]

I make one meal with a Protein, a veggie (usually salad) and a starch. If someone doesn't like what I make, they are more than welcome to make a PB&J or a bowl of Cereal. This has been the rule in my house since my 15 and 13 year old were toddlers. The only exception is seafood. My oldest WILL NOT touch fish of any sort. I always make her chicken with enough leftovers for my husband to take to work the next day.

Ditto this. My hubby is our chef but if I do cook sometimes, the family eats the same meal, I just don't add the rice, bread, Pasta to my plate. The kids eat what's served or go hungry (sometimes it is a battle of wills). My kids are at healthy weights (something hubby and I vowed to ensure).

My kids are allergic to seafood (hubby and I's fave food group), so those are the ONLY nights we don't eat the same meal. I in no way, want to spend our nights making 4 different meals on top of homework, little league practice, etc.

My Mom did it this way when we were growing up so it just stuck. I don't eat chicken, growing up that was our Protein at least 4 out of 7 nights. I learned to love fruits and veggies and get protein from other sources she didn't have to cook.

There is a way to be all on the same plan. Make meals that are protein, veggie, fruit, and grain. That way, at each meal everyone can have something. This has worked for us, hope it works for others.

[TwinsMama 483]

Just curious, how do you do with Pasta? Pasta and bread are 2 of my fav foods and they told me I couldn't eat them with my lapband. I did without problems (only a small amt anyway). I'm 6 weeks in and still on a soft iet (2 more weeks till regular) but worrying that I'll never again be able to enjoy Olive Gardens pasta and breadsticks. Am I worrying for nothing? Most people on this board don't eat them and I wonder if it's because they CAN'T or just don't to help them lose weight faster?

How do you do on them? Does it fill your stomach up quickly or cause any pain?

I was told to consider pasta and bread done for life. Although I know I can eat bread (I've mistakenly had 2 things that were breaded) and not dump. I do feel sick/stuffed/lethargic afterward.

Also, they expand and take up valuable real estate in our small tummies. I loved breads and pastas pre-op, but post-op I don't even desire them. I soooo hope this continues.