2:16 PM
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We are having an extremely hard time making the switch in our diet. I am not sure what the hold up is. It was not this difficult the first time we changed our diet. We were pescatarians before. Due to a recently diagnosed shellfish allergy, I no longer eat fish. I have to be extremely careful or else, I might just take a ride in an ambulance. I do not plan on doing that anytime soon.
Since we are having a little bit of trouble, we will be making this a gradual change. I think that we tried to do too much too quickly.
Posted in: Engine 2 Diet
4 comments:
I can tell you what I did, but it may not work for every family. We have been making healthy changes for the past 2 years, and they have been gradual:
- first we switched from white to whole wheat flour
- then we gave up processed foods at any sort; that one was the hardest
- then we started going outside for at least 30 min of exercise, even if just a walk, unless temps were below 35
- next one was switching to organic - which made meat soooo expensive, that it had to go next
- one salad a day, no exceptions, even the toddler; she actually accepted it very easily; sure, there was honey in the vinaigrette in the beginning :)
- meat was out next, but only when eating at home; what at a restaurant, all bets were off
- next: no refined sugars (only at home, at other people's houses we eat like there's no tomorrow); this meant I started baking every single day so the kids had snacks and deserts to bring to school
- then I eliminated cheese
- eggs we still eat but only for baking; I plan to faze that out eventually, but we only go through a dozen a month or so
Planning meals, shopping for groceries and cooking is almost a full time job, but I enjoy it :) My tricks are:
- I never make the same recipe twice; it is all new, all the time; this keeps things fresh and helps raise kids who are not picky eaters. They never know what to expect, so they don't have comfort foods that they ask for. They always ask for an ingredient, say cauliflower, but it's going to be served in a new way
- I rotate my starches: soup with bread, vegetables with bread (to finish up the bread next day), then beans, rice, potatoes, then repeat
- always puree the soups until smooth, kids will eat anything that way!
- offer salads with sweet vinaigrette (oil, lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, splash of vinegar)
And don't dispair :) Best of luck!
Alina,
We have already done a few of the things that you mentioned.
We have switched to whole wheat flour.
We do not have too many processed foods in our house. The only exception would be our tortilla chips & tortillas.
Meat has become a side dish in my house. Veggies have been the main dish.
We do tend to let the kids choose when we eat out.
I love to grocery shop as well. I do love to cook, there just has not been too much desire to get in the kitchen. I have fallen into a rut with cooking. I am slowly climbing out of it.
Thank you for the words of encouragement. They mean a lot. :)
Sometimes you have to get exotic. American cuisine leaves a lot to be desired, with not much room for vegans and vegetarians.
Try a new dish each week from India, Asia, Latin America or France. Vegetarian and vegan dishes abound in these regions. You just have to search for them.
Plus, a Google search will yield thousands of websites with vegan recipes. You can always adjust ingredients to your tastes and to what you have on hand.
I love vegetarian food--vegan is a little strict for me, though. Plus, my boyfriend is a hardcore carnivore.
I'm with you on getting healthier, though! :) Good luck!
Emily,
Thank you so much for stopping by! I will have to search for some french recipes. I don't think that I have ever had any.
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