Weight watchers & Family

  • So, how do y'all do it? Husband is not keen on eating what would generally be on-plan for me. I also have 2 boys ages 10 & 13.

    What I'm thinking is this:

    I'm currently at 21 pts. DH would be at 37. I figure the boys would be closer to my point range than his, but somewhere in the middle for growing boys.

    I divide my flex points to allow up to 26 points per day allowing only the 5 to roll over if I don't use them. Then I figure 1/2 of my points for breakfast, lunch, and snacks and the rest for dinner. So, theoretically I can have 13 points at dinner time.

    If I use the same calculations for him, he'd get 18-20 for dinner.

    I'd also like to not buy a lot of dual foods (foods for me, then foods for them) and I cook from scratch most nights of the week, limiting our intake of processed foods

    What recipes are you all using to feed your family?

    Do you have any tips for feeding a family of hungry boys while trying to loose weight?

    (I'm only 1 week into this, but so far I'm loving it!)
  • My husband mainly eats the same foods as I do. Sometimes I make a side dish that he and ds like and I just don't eat it. The only thing I really eat different is when I make hamburgers for them I eat a Boca Burger instead. The rest of the time it is just smaller, measured portions and I fill in with vegetables.
  • I'm surprised your husband isn't keen on WW recipes! I have several WW cook books with some favorite recipes that my husband loves! For example: BBQ meatloaf and stuffed peppers. He just might eat a bit more than me. We always fill in with veggies or a salad. Sometimes I throw a potato in the microwave for him. Everytime I've been on WW, he seems to lose weight too...without even trying! At least I know he's eating healthy!
  • I'm kind of having the same issues about feeding the kids. My husband is on his own. Last night I baked salmon and both kids about had heart attacks when I tried to feed it to them. I am hoping it will just take some time for them to get used to different foods.
  • I am a lifetime member and have been since I was 25. At the time, I had a husband and three young kids at home. I did not cook any special meals for anyone; whatever I made was what we all had. I just supplemented. The man who was my husband at the time could always stand to lose a few pounds anyway, so he benefitted from my cooking style. Due to having had healthy foods from toddlerhood on, my three kids, who are now 26, 28, and 30 years old, are slim and healthy as can be. My current husband is vegetarian, so as long as there is enough of a vegetarian dish to satisfy him, he is happy and I don't make him special meals either. Last night I had salmon, so I nuked a Morningstar riblet for him, he ate the same potatoes and green beans I did, and he was satisfied. Saturday is a 75th birthday party for my mother-in-law. We are having dinner at my sister-in-law's, and I am in charge of the food. I'll be making a diet friendly crowd-size Italian dish of one kind or another, and no one will even know the difference. We'll have bread, a huge salad, and the usual Italian condiments (black olives etc.) and they'll be happy as clams as they chow down on low fat fare.
  • LOL My husband is a "picky eater" too. Not necessarily picky I guess, but doesn't want to change it up much! He also has never had nor ever will have a weight problem, in fact, he could gain a little weight!!

    Everyone is right, make the meal that is on your Points system and supplement their meals. I know it's easier for me to stay OP when I supplement with things I am not tempted by. For me I can pass on baked potatoes, bread and rice. So, I make those and they can enjoy them and I am still within my Points! Figure out what things you can serve and not be tempted. Also, get some of the cookbooks, Amazon has some great deals or check out your library. It has helped if I have my husband flip through the book and pick out something he would like to try, this would be great to get your kids involved and let them pick a few recipes!

    The good news about guys is, they will eat whatever it is if they are hungry enough! Stick to your guns, make the meals that fit your Points, and eventually, they will stop complaining and may come to even like your food!

    Good luck!

    Also, if there is something you know they will absolutely not eat (for my husband it is fish), use that night to serve them something they like. On the nights I want fish, I grill my husband a steak, bratwurst, etc. This way we can both enjoy our meal and I am not really "cooking two meals" as the grill is already going! Hope this helps!