[nastarual]

i have no money!! i've just returned home from college for my summer break. i just started this lame telemarketing job 2 days ago. i don't get paid until the 28th. my parents don't want to buy the food i NEED so they can eat it too. they won't buy 3/4 quarters of what i eat because i don't fry foods and i don't eat red meat or pork. i've been trying to watch what i eat, but it seems like all i have are bad food choice items in this house. i haven't had a slice of the cake my mom baked. but i did have a piece of fried chicken last night and i had chips yesterday too
what am i supposed to do. that's about 16 days of not eating good foods. that could be anywhere between 3-6 pounds!!!

[srmb60]

We're not fiscally fluid at my house either. I walk because it's free. As for the food ... well .... eat small bits and drink lots of water. 16 days will fly by honest especially with the adventure of starting a new job.

[golfergirl]

I can identify with you!! We don't have much money right now either, and my husband will not eat what I would like to eat so I just make due with what I can. I don't fry the french fries, I bake them. Have a baked potato... Fried chicken, bake it first of all, then pull all of the skin off the outside, that will cut down on a lot of the grease and the calories. It may not be Healthy but you still have to eat and that will be better than nothing. Drink lots of water... and Keep exercising. I also walk because it is free and I can't afford a gym so it will all work!!

The most important is to keep your head up and stay motivated!!!

[looosingit]

Could you offer do to some of the cooking? If you family is planning to have chicken, maybe you could offer to make dinner and grill or bake it? If you are making some of the meals, you can at least control how the food is being prepared (ie. not fried!) -- Plus you get brownie points for offering to make the meal. Maybe you even get out of clean-up because you did the preparation!

Does your family have vegetables with dinner? Maybe double up on your vegetable serving so you won't need as much of the fried chicken to be full. I have noticed that everybody in my family always went for the meat and potatoes first...so you could go for the vegetables first (if they're offered).

Do your parents know that you are trying to pursue a more healthy eating style? They might be anxious to help, if they knew that you are trying to improve your health....

Hang in there....It is always a challenge when you have limited control over what you are eating.

Take care,
Kris
261-186-155

[trixiepup]

a 10lb bag of rice at Walmart is about $3. I'm sure it's equally cheap in other places too. Dried beans are pretty cheap too. With those 2 things, you can make burrittos, tacos, chili, jambalaya, and stews.

You can also mix them with veggies and make cassaroles or hearty salads.

I don't know what diet you are following, but buying the raw ingredients of foods is typically cheaper than buying the processed versions. Like rice bowls...they cost about $4 in the stores w/o sales. If you make it at home, it's probably half the price (lower if you don't use meat), and is bound to be healthier.

Veggies in season are cheap, especially at the end of the day at a farmers market. Meat is expensive, and since you don't eat it, you're in good shape. Grains in bulk are cheap. They may take a bit more work to cook than the Kraft mixes, but by changing the spices a bit, you can make totally different meals.

If you like tortilla chips, you can buy the corn tortillas (under $2 for a huge quantity of generic ones) and cut them into pieces. Spray with Pam/butter spray/water and sprinkle with salt/garlic salt/seasoned salt/lemon pepper/anything else in the spice cabinet and bake in the oven on a sprayed cookie sheet. You'll need to flip them over once. Otherwise, just bake until they are crisp. Serve with salsa and you have a yummy treat.

Cake can be lightened by making it with applesauce instead of oil, and using egg beaters instead of eggs. If you are a tofu girl, you can puree soft tofu for the eggs. If you don't tell your family what you did, they won't know it's healthy. I do this all the time, and my family and friends rave about my cake mix cakes. Frosting can be made lighter by combining half frosting with half pudding and mixing well. It's not as firm, but it's yummy.

You may need to be creative, but I'm sure there are lots of things in your house you can eat until payday.

[jenne1017]

Thank goodness I am out of my parents house! I hated going back after being on my own for so long.

I would recommend talking to them. Let them know you are trying to watch what you eat. Volunteer to go food shopping with them. Give them your list of stuff so they know what you are talking about and volunteer to do more around the house in return, aside from cooking your own meals. Let them know this is important to you. And that you are just eating better -- it won't hurt THEM any!

[d-chan]

As a college student, I share your pain. I find it hard to buy healthy when you haven't got a dime that doesn't go towards getting you TO your job.

For a minute there, I thought you were talking about my family. ^_^ If it isn't fried, it isn't worth eating. My parents buy salads like some sick joke. However, even if they bought, I eat a little with them, save a little for later, and excerise as often as I can. I bring my tapes and equipment with me. It took me years to get out of their habits...I'm not going to let them drag me in.

Also, I took back everyone's pop bottles for that extra couple bucks for the tortilla on sale.

Do whatcha gotta and hold on!