Sometimes all the good intentions and motivation in world fall avail when it comes to feeding the family. I can't tell you how many times I've heard tells of defeat from people when one person in the family wants to change their ways and the rest of the family doesn't. "When Mom goes on a diet, we all do." " I want to eat more salads, but all they'll eat is macaroni and cheese." "I hate spending so much time in the kitchen then nobody will eat it."
I do not believe in short-order cooking. It is our practice that we eat what the cook made or we don't eat. But I also believe there is hope for the downtrodden and a way to marry healthful intentions with less motivated eaters.
Consider slightly changing the menu instead of going all or nothing. Maybe just expand the menu a bit. There is always room to add more vegetables or throw on a salad. Even if only the healthy eaters eat the extra veggies, at least it makes more of a variety for everyone. If there is a vegetarian in the house, there is no need to make two separate meals, just expand the buffet. Beans are an easy, fiber-filled, staple to add to the meat and potatoes. Add a salad for more variety. Keep different vegetables, dried fruit, or nuts for example so everyone can dress up the salad to taste.
Feeding kids can be a challenge. It is unproductive to get into a power struggle. Just continue to offer. Eventually their taste buds come around. We do have a one-taste rule at our house, but if they don't like it they don't have to eat it. On average, it takes a picky eater seventeen times to begin eating the new food. It also helps if the adults at the table also "try" a bite. They're watching you!
And of course, it is always dandy to hide the veggies in other dishes. The Deceptively Delicious cookbooks by Jessica Seinfeld are just dandy. Basically hiding puréed vegetables in other dishes is easy, delicious, and nutritious.
Planning for meals is a big deal to keep discouragement out of the kitchen. When hectic nights come along, it is easier to grab a frozen pizza or chicken nuggets and fries than to cook a wholesome, less processed meal. Why not plan for quick-fixes when those times arise. When making a family favorite recipe, make two and freeze one. Keep some frozen vegetables in the freezer to pop in the microwave. No mess. Lots of nutrition. I am for whole grain rice, but it takes a while to cook. For those busy nights, use those ten minute brown rice boiling bags. Stir fry a little frozen vegetables to add on top. Maybe even keep some grilled chicken pieces to throw in if you have one of those families that only consider it supper if there is meat in it.
With a little creativity and planning, meals can meet everybody's schedules and taste buds. How do you feed the family without the feud?
Nutrition Nugget
We eat about three times more sodium than needed in America. If choosing a processed food, look on the label to see the amount of sodium. It is good to use the percent daily values to grade the sodium. If the DVs in bold are above 20, it is considered high in that nutrient. If it is 5 or less, it is considered low in that nutrient. Try not to get items with a sodium above 20. If it is a canned items such as green peas or beans, rinse the food before cooking and add fresh water. This will help to reduce some of the sodium.
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