Family life struggles

[Saunders2691]

Hi everyone hope your all ok, does anyone have any meals or day to day ideas that would feed myself my husband and my 18monyh old toddler I’m finding it so hard to keep a healthy balance for the 3 of us and gaining so much weight by reaching for what is fast and quick

[SofaJockey]

Hi Saunders2691 ,

the short answer is yes, there are many healthy meal ideas to be found here (see our Daily Diary threads, e.g. healthunlocked.com/weight-l...

There are also plenty of weight control and health suggestions to be found here.

I'd suggest checking out the Pinned Posts healthunlocked.com/weight-l...

and I hope you'll be joining some or all the Events, Challenges and Clubs that we run, especially the weigh-in and the daily diary.

If you haven't already taken it, here's a tour of the forum healthunlocked.com/?tour=true

We've found active participation to be key to successful weight loss and, of course, it's a good way to get to know people, find inspiration and share support and encouragement.

Best success with it and for your family. 😄

[Greendream123]

It's hard to give specifics as it will depend on what you are like/eat, especially the 18 month old. Sometimes I do my son something simple in the oven with boiled veg and gravy (his favourite) and do a one pot meal for me. Soups are also really simple, as are stews and caseroles. Perhaps do some research, look on here and do some googling too. Slimming World Recipes for example tend to be very simple. Perhaps have a chat with your husband too so he can give ideas and support, even if he can't help with the actual cooking. Good luck.

[lucigret]

Good morning Saunders,

Once you have had a good look around all the links that you have been given and have come up with some meal ideas, I would suggest that when you make your meals, you make the ones that can be frozen twice as big and freeze down in portion sizes for you and your toddler. These will help you out on those busy days when you just don't feel you have the time to cook. Some healthy casseroles, bolognaise sauce (which you can add vegetables to), home made soups, fish pie anything in a cheese or white sauce, cauliflower, leeks, meat and fish are all really good for this. I also make up toddler meals for my Grandsons from left over meat, vegetables and gravy and freeze.

Take a look at this recipe and adapt to suit your taste, there is no easier way to cook than this

healthunlocked.com/weight-l...

Wishing you all the best

[Smithy999]

Oh tricky toddlers (and husbands 😂), one minute eat veg and the next day refuse!! I would sit down with hubby and write a list of healthy meals that you both like and use them to make a meal planner. Lots of good suggestions for mince, chicken dishes etc above. Do you have a slow cooker?

It can be hard to start with, but I find a plan makes it easier to prep the meal on the day. X

[Hidden]

I know where you are right now. Our boys are grown men now, but there were times when they were small that feeling overwhelmed and stressed out was part of the daily routine. It was so easy to opt for pizza or other fast, but ultimately costly), takeout food. It might've been different had I access to these simple, nutritious recipes published by Health Canada on the government's website:

canada.ca/en/health-canada/...

I hope you find something 'doable' that everyone in your family likes and looks forward to!

[jd65 5lbs Restart Oct 2023 in reply to Hidden]

there are some great ideas in here. I've just sent this link to my stepdaughter as she has a 3 year old and a 3 month old and sometimes needs new ideas for family meals.

[Hidden in reply to jd65]

I'm glad you're finding the link helpful, jd65. Is there anything about the recipes that strikes you as unusual or curious, given the cultural differences between the UK and Canada?

[jd65 5lbs Restart Oct 2023 in reply to Hidden]

Nothing too different apart from moose stew. There were lots of things on there that I already do but for someone with two small girls it was just really simple to follow and nicely laid out.

[jd65 5lbs Restart Oct 2023 in reply to jd65]

She says thank you for the link. 😀

[Lytham 3 stone]

Hi, hope you've managed to pick up some good ideas ! Would you like to join us on the weigh in? Here's the link, hope to see you there! x

healthunlocked.com/weight-l...

[smartoak Host 1kg Restart Oct 2023]

I cook for a husband, a two and a four year old. I’ve lost over 10kg in the last few months by serving the carbs part of the meal separately and substituting something else for myself - spaghetti Bolognese for the family, cabbage Bolognese for me, sausages and mash and broccoli for the family, sausages and broccoli for me etc. It’s working!