My win over obesity wasn’t overnight. My husband didn’t just “magically” give up his “lifestyle choices” because I wanted to be healthier and weigh less. The quest to improve my health happened gradually and includes many of the “sneaky” ways I incorporate better health into my family’s diet.
- If they don’t like it, shred it! (These veggies cook down to opaque or nearly invisible in red sauces) I include these veggies in refried beans, chili, veggie chili, soups, spaghetti sauce, and many other dishes.
- Carrots
- Zucchini
- Summer Squash
- If they don’t like it, mince it! (When they can’t see it, many times they don’t even realize it is in there) I include these in Cream of Anything casseroles & soups, chilies, omelets, tacos, and others.
- Onions
- Mushrooms
- Spinach
- Peppers
- Smoothee’s in Opaque Glass with a Lid and Colored Straw. (I can feed many healthy things to my 7 year old, disguised as a smoothee) When you mix banana, oj, pineapple, strawberry, and other sweet fruits you can get away with a lot!
- Ground up supplements (b complex to help her focus in school, Nutriferon to help build her immune system, others as needed)
- Spinach – never even realizes its in there
- Protein powder – I don’t need to sneak this one, but it is an added bonus.
- Also, can freeze these into smoothee pops!
- Color is FUN! and healthy! (even when the color is blended into other meals)
- Fruit salad with a touch of homemade whipped cream is a favorite of my daughter. Lots of colors = lots of nutrition! (I’m not talking skittles or starburst here)
- Its your only option. (Many times, I simply tell my husband and daughter, its your only option, this is what I made for dinner.) IT works. OR… I tell my daughter, you have to try it and eat ## bites before you can have something else.
- Frozen fruit pops/ smoothee pops/ organic freezer pops await when you finish your meal. (This doesn’t work so much with my hubby, but it does with my daughter.)
- Try new recipes: I LOVE Spinach chocolate treats (brownies) We call them by different names though, so we don’t get the answer, “this doesn’t taste like ####”
- Finally, Garbanzo beans are a GREAT meat substitute in chili – hubby didn’t realize there wasn’t any “beef” in the chili until he’s eaten it 6 times for 6 different meals and I TOLD him. LOL (Wondering where else I can sneak these in.)
In many other countries, there are no issues with your children not “wanting” what is fixed for dinner, they eat what everyone else is eating.
Warning: Graphic conversation I actually have with my 7 year old.
I still have issues with my 7 yr old, but we implement numbers 5-6 and we discuss A LOT how #4 is important for nutrition and health. She is expected to take responsibility for her own health. (ie: having trouble pooping? How many fruits and veggies did you eat yesterday? How much water did you drink yesterday?)
Healthy Grease Monkey 