How do you get yourself to eat more healthy?

Lisa - posted on 05/27/2011

If we want a soda, chips, chocolate, "real" ice cream, we have to physically go to the store and buy it. I don't bring it into the house. The kids love yogurts, applesauces (especially the mixed ones), jell-o and puddings. Jello-o and puddings can be made from the box and poured into little single serve rubbermaid dishes. I also always keep fruit cups in the house, just buy the ones in 100% fruit juice.
Switch to whole grain breads and cereal, brown rice, whole wheat pasta. Buy frozen fruits and vegetables to keep in the freezer and buy fresh fruits and vegetables when they are in season.

Kathryn - posted on 05/27/2011

I feed myself on a schedule...
Early Morning (8:00)
Cereal with milk and OJ- Grains/carb, protein/calcium, and friut/carb
Actual breakfast (10:00) when everyone is awake.
Usually
Eggs, bacon (or sausage), wheat toast, V8 Fusion juice - Protein, Fat (oh well), Grains, Fruit and Veggie.
Or...
Pancakes or waffles BUT when I make the mix I replace 1/4 of the liquid with pureed steamed sauash. (I have been serving my family them for months and none of them even know there is squash in them), and V8 fusion juice- Grains, little protein, some veggies, and fruit and veggie.

Lunch (2:00)
Normally
PB&J Sandwiches on wheat bread and carrot sticks- Protein, grains, little fruit, and veggie.
Sometimes...
Campbells soup and toast- Veggie, Protein, Grains.
or
Ham and salami sandwich with cheese and a salad- Little Protein, Grains, Little Calcium, and Veggie.

Dinner is much varied. The best way to get veggies in your food is with purees. I stick them in hamburgers, meat loaf, spagehtti sauce, stews and more.

Snacks
Sweet- Cereal, friut dried (more convient) or fresh, jello, pudding, smoothies (you can sneak veggies in there too), rasin bread, granola bars
Salty- Trail mix (combo of sweet and salty), peanuts, popcorn (light or FF), snap pea chips (that is what our son has as a chip), sun chips, tortilla chips and salsa (veggie)
Veggies
Slice stuff like tomatos, cucumbers, zucchini, celery, even some belll peppers and be creative with different dips.

I know it sounds like a lot but try this. Only buy enough fruit and veggies to last 4 days or so, you can eventually work yourself to once a week. Set aside 1 hr to prepare. Slicing fruit and veggies, bagging snacks, having food set aside in containers so it would be easy to grab. Steam while you are doing other things, normally takes no more than 20 min. After pureed, I put thr veggie puree in ice trays and freeze them, once frozen I bag them. Nice to have smaller portions for things here and there.

Also as for the expensive fruit and veggies try local famrers markets, sometimes you can even haggle with them.

Connie - posted on 05/26/2011

Yeah, crap is easier, but you can eat healthier without spending the big bucks. First, start off with a menu. Shop only that menu, and 1) you'll be less inclined to buy the random crap and 2) you'll know what's for dinner every night. And while fresh is, yes, better for you, ANY vegetables and fruits you can get in your body are good! Applesauce is a good place to start (and it comes in flavors now). Also things like Quaker's rice cake minis (again, flavored, but better for you). The list goes on and on.

Here's the thing: eating well is a habit. It takes time to establish, but if you stick to it, you'll see a difference in how you feel, not to mention what a great example you'll be setting for your son!!

If you need some easy peasy recipes, let me know. I'll be happy to send you some of mine. :-)