This is like my middle son. There have been multiple times when he has actually gagged and vomited (or nearly vomited) on veggies. But the fact is that this response is trainable; he no longer gags and threatens to vomit, because we have been unrelenting about him eating his veggies. Now he will sit for long periods of time NOT chewing the food and trying to somehow avoid swallowing it, but even that is getting better.

It's really hard and a bit exhausting to fight with him every night over this, but it is possible to train even the most sensitve/picky child how to eat. I hope someday he'll thank us for this, but in the meantime...at least he's eating veggies!

I have teenage boys too. They gain weight really easy just like their father and I, so I don't feel bad about not bringing junk food into the house. I have a hard time getting them to exercise portion control. I've learned that I have to eat smaller portions than they do. I used to always make up all our plates with the same portions. Now I remind myself that they need more calories than I do so mine just has to be smaller. They've been pretty good about the healthier choices.
I always worried about depriving them of the things they liked, but now I'm convinced that they need the good stuff just as bad as I do. The first time I made turkey meatloaf I totally expected them to hate it. It is now one of their favorite dinners. I make it with lots of grated veggies in it. I do think it's important that they get the stuff they love once in a while. Every few weeks we get pizza, but not a few times a week like we used to. I don't want them to feel so deprived that they go totally nuts with it when they are away from home. I'm trying to teach them the idea of moderation. I'm teaching myself moderation too. It's a hard fight!

This is such a very valuable lesson. I always hear the argument that "my S.O./children/family don't have a weight issue, so why should I deprive them? I don't see this as deprivation. I see this as providing strong healthy building blocks and habits for their life. Too much processed junk is unhealthy for anybody, regardless of their weight gaining tendencies.

These were such great responses! I got some valuable insights from you guys. Thanks.

My little girl has the same dietary instructions about needing to gain weight (she is underweight and has some health issues) so I am always adding fat to her stuff. It's hard because I need her to eat as much as possible but she is picky. I am working on it. The teen boys... they can eat a gazillion calories and they don't get fat.

H8... I need that turkey meatloaf recipe! Please? :)

Lyn, here's a link to the turkey meatloaf recipe...
http://lowfatcooking.about.com/od/po...eymeatloaf.htm
I hope your kids like it! I grew up on meatloaf and couldn't stand the thought of it, but I like this too. I'm just careful not to put too many breadcrumbs in it and chop them up finely.

I live half the time with my dad and brother, who are both very skinny and want to eat pizza and McDonalds and Subway and cakes and ice cream all the frickin' time. My brother eats like nothing I've ever seen - chocolate and crisps and cookies, and can't weigh more than 100lbs. When I'm at home I try to eat well during the day, and just have what everyone else is having. One meal a day isn't very healthy, but I do my best and don't have dessert.

When I'm at uni I live with four people who generally eat very unhealthily, but I'm more free to make meals for myself and no-one would question it and I don't have to make meals for everyone else. It's difficult, but a bit easier at the same time.

I don't think it only applies to people with kids... being someone's "kid", I currently live with my mother and 2 sisters. It is very hard because there is junk food everywhere and I can't control that. ...It is more hard because I am totally broke and I find that when I do buy myself healthy groceries to eat I end up cooking dinner for the whole family and running thru my weeks' supply in half the time... I just can't afford it.

I have 3 kids (7, 4 & 2) so not as old as yours but since I'm in charge of buying & cooking the food they eat what I fix..the same with my DH. If I'm met with some resistance all I ask is that they try at least two bites of what they don't think they like. I am at the point where I keep a little junk in the house for them and my DH but it's stuff that I'm not really interested in now. If it were something that I have a hard time not eating or even in eating in moderation then it does not come into my house....period.

My kids have been pretty good about the transition though. My 4 year old is a very picky eater but I have found way to get around some of it. Like he hates cooked veggies but give him raw veggies with a little FF ranch & he's a happy camper ;)

Don't think of it as depriving them of junk....you are helping them to form healthy eating habits!

As for the fatty foods you do have to keep....keep them out of plain sight in their own separate area so when you open your pantry they aren't calling your name as loud ;)

I guess I am lucky. DS is 7yo and I have always been pretty strict about making him eat what I am eating and try new foods. We have a no thank you bite rule - 2 decent bites before you can so no thanks. I have noticed that the more I put foods in front of him, then he eventually likes them. Green beans used to make him gag, now its his favorite vegetable. He has texture issues so Im sure that was part of it. He is very inquisitive and since he is learning about what's healthy, he asks about every things we eat. His fav meal is broiled fish and spinach. :lol:. I grew up with weight issues. While he doesnt have any, I dont want him to get any either. I am careful about how I present it though, so he will not have any body issues. He is a good eater and I rarely have an issue with him.

My mother and I started Weight Watchers together and we look up recipes and send them to each other :D For people who have younger kids I suggest buying the book Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld, Jerry Seinfelds wife. It's a healthier way to cook things that children love! Like brownies, chicken nuggets, etc!