My children are not overweight, they are actually underweight & lose a few pounds every summer between swimming & playing outside, etc so changing their diet isn't a good idea.

I am 5 feet even & weigh 133 pounds, all the calculators I have used as well as my physician state that I should be between 107 & 114, ideally, I just want to be comfortable enough in my own body to take a Stripaerobics class in September when we move. My husband is 6'4" & 210 pounds so he could afford to lose a few too, maybe get down to 185.

So anyone have any food ideas as to maintain the 4 of us eating our meals together w/out my daughters losing more weight?

I have skinny 3 and 5 year olds, while trying to do south beach (and my husband isn't die hard about it).

Sooooo...I realized I often make 3 different meals. A main meal, that my husband and I eat. My kids mostly don't eat what we do, they're at the stage of non-experimental. So, they normally get a modified plate, with fresh veggies and cheese sticks added. Then, I often make a starch for my husband (like a potato pocket).

It's a bit rough...but I'm hoping that it pays off!!

Can you do something like that? Have a higher calorie side/starch for them and not you? (I made a roasted turkey the other night....they got gravy, sweet potatoes, and corn...and I didn't!! But I survived!!)

I imagine I could do that. We generally eat whole foods so with all 4 of us having different schedules, it can truly be a nightmare & that is honestly where fast food comes into our diet! For a while I tried cooking & freezing foods on the weekend but I found myself spending my whole weekend cooking, not anytime enjoying my family.

I have the same problem... my daughter is 16 months old and I have a teenage stepson, and I'm still trying to figure out what to do on those busy nights when everyone is going in opposite directions. Our fastfood and takout orders have been on the rise, so I'm going to try to find some quick, healthy, and EASY recipes, like stir fry, that are easy to cook and re-heat well.

I have a slim 11 year old daughter. She has never had a weight problem. It's tough to plan meals, but I use my healthy (whole foods oriented) diet as a basis and add extras or change the proportion for her. I often put more cheese and/or meat in her serving. I also have a few dishes that I make ahead of time almost exclusively for her, and freeze single portions (e.g, eggplant parmesan).

If she eats enough of the proper foods, she can also get a hi-calorie treat for dessert -- luckily hubby is in charge of dishing that out, so I don't have to touch the stuff!

Check out the Featherweights forum--this forum is for folks who are close to goal or don't have too much to lose. I'm sure you'll find some ideas there!

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=197

Jay

Don't forget you can also vary portion size. For our evening meal (the only one we eat together as a family), I mainly eat the same as everyone else. However, its the portions that vary in size. I usually eat about the same as my 9 year old, my 14 year old a little more and my husband much more particularly with the starchy stuff. Occasionally, like last evening, I will serve them something as a treat that I don't have (they had crispy duck pancakes, I had a chicken salad!)

Kitty

I would cook them the same food that you do and add extras rather than making an entirely separate meal. If your kids will still eat the rest of the meal, adding a starch or a fatty starch is an easy thing. (i.e. mashed p's, mac & cheese, etc.)

With all of you having different schedules, I would still make 1 meal, but enough to reheat for everyone. And instead of spending the whole weekend making meals to freeze, every time you cook make double or triple (some recipes are easier than others) and freeze leftovers..then over time you build a stock of meals.

You can also keep a few higher calorie snacks for them for the summer. Pick ones that you will have an easier time avoiding or limiting. Like I could give my kids store bought cookies (Kashi TLC makes some yummy whole grain ones) and not be too terribly tempted, but making homemade would be a killer. If they are allowed a cookie or 2 with fruit for snacks that is still pretty healthy.

I do what Ennay suggests. I might make fish or chicken, a veggie, and then pasta with marinara sauce. The kids would have appropriate portions of each, and I will not eat the pasta.

When everyone has different needs, you can start to feel like a short order cook, so I have learned to make a lean protein, lots of veggies and then a carb of some sort. Everyone is satisfied.

Some good advice. I just want to add that now is the time to teach your children to have good eating habits. Fast food should be a treat, not an acceptable meal several days a week. You can add healthy treats and larger portions.

Heh... I don't think fast food should ever be a treat... But never mind!

Jay

I eat the same size portions as my 7 year old. I also have plenty of healthy snacks in the house she can have as much as she likes of, if she eats all her food. She has sweets once a week on a Saturday and, alsoon Saturday, we both get a dessert as a treat.

She used to be slightly overweight but about 18months ago I started sending her to gymnastics and now she is fit and strong.

I agree with JAY.. I'd totally persuade them against fast food.

We eat fast food once in a blue moon. I have taken my daughter to McDonalds precisely twice in her entire life. And she didn't like the fries.