how can i eat healthy in a junkfood eating family?
I am a high school student stuck in an unhealthy family trying to eat a healthy whole balanced diet. I hate white flour and sugar but that is the only thing that my family buys. Every time they buy it I tell them that I don’t use it and ask them to buy pure cane sugar or whole-wheat flour. Every time I try to tell them the benefits of a healthy wholesome diet, they get all pissed off and make me feel stupid. I want to quit eating factory bread and make homemade WHOLE WHEAT bread. I am also a vegan and my dad is a dairy farmer. They always eat and drink things like soda, chips, and desserts. I want to cut off using peanut butter that has sugar and hydrogenated oils but that’s all that they buy. How can I convince my family to eat healthy? I am trying to get a job to buy my own food but the economy sucks here and there are no jobs. Also whenever my family buys fruits and vegetables I eat them all and they get angry with me.
Filed under: Nutrition
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We feel your pain. Perhaps you can set up special supplies for yourself (whole wheat bread, brown rice, etc.) then prepare to supplement according to their menu plan for the week. When they make sandwiches, make your own healthy substitutions. When they make a dish that has a starchy side, make a pot of brown rice enough to cover the meal and any leftovers. It might be no use trying to convert them to healthier foods, which often cost more, but at least see if you can 'fend' for yourself. But I'm sure if you made homemade whole wheat bread, no one would complain after you did it…the smell will change their mind.
You can also check for food co-ops in your area, where the family pays a set price for fresh vegetables (I think they are even delivered to you)…it's economical; however, you have no say in what fresh vegetables you will get…it's whatever was in abundance…but it's farm fresh and you are supporting local farmers.
I know exactly how you feel. I am going into my sophomore year in college so it is way easier for me to eat what i want, but my when i lived at home all my family ate was junk. we are prone to getting overweight real fast and my sister is but no one really cares. i did get a job and buy my own food,…but what could happen is everyone else eats your food like they did to me because they finally wanted to get healthy. If you can't get a job i would just eat really small portions of whatever they are feeding you. you could also talk to someone and explain to them why you want healthy food. if that doesnt work then just excercise more to make up for the unhealthy things you are eating and when you move out youll be able to eat whatever you want!
That sounds too much like me (im also a high school student going to the 11th grade). Im a vegan also in a junk food house. I dont really care for bread tho. My problem is that my family keeps buying junk food and what not. What i do is when we go shopping for food. I suggest stuff…like last week i suggested dirty rice (its vegan trust me) and salad. I always ask for veggie burgers, fruit cups, peanuts, walnuts, tomatoes, cucumbers, rice cakes, salad dressing, bush vegetarian beans, etc. That way i can eat what i want and they can try something also.
One thing i learned, i cant convince them to go vegan or eat healthy mainly cuz they dont want to. So the only thing i can do is ask for my foods and hope that they buy it.
any other questions you can hit me up at my email: babyjline@yahoo.com or myspace: http://www.myspace.com/babyjline
Though it will contradict what you're trying to do, McDonald's is always hiring (at least here they are).
Do lecture them about how important it easy to eat healthy, balanced, and homemade meals—but it sounds like your family is a bit sensitive over the subject, so do keep that into consideration.
If all else fails you can just pull a Ghandi. XD
(I take no responsibility for stones of any kind in any organ resulting from fasting. I take no responsibility for anything negative that comes from fasting. I take full responsibility for things that will make you love me for fasting. XD)
Really, though, if you can't even get a job at a McDonald's, you really have to get on their asses about the whole food thing to the point it's annoying enough for them to realize their son wants to live a long, healthy life—but not the point where they stop listening to you.
Still, I say keep trying to find a job at all costs. Go online for tips on how to find unskilled and highschool jobs—or even go online to find those unskilled and highschool jobs. Who knows? If the Ghandi thing doesn't work maybe you could sell some lemonade. XD That's independent business there. =)
You cannot convince them if they choose not to be convinced…best thing to do is just bite the bullet and get any job you can and move on…
Wow, just had this very conversation with a client of ours. She is torn between her committment to a healthy diet and overall wellness approach and is surrounded by a family that just doesn't care to change. Every day is a silo effect to her.
No easy answer here outside of time will cure all as we develop more and more information on healthy diet and lifestyles the general population will, one day, gravitate to it. Junk food is under attack but it is so easy to get and we are such a high paced culture that we tend to take the easy road to everything. Ala Junk Food Nation!
Stay focused and stay committed to your beliefs and you will be much better off. As far as the Job Scene goes have you ever thought of starting your own online business? You have a passion and you can provide others with your thoughts and research perhaps!
Shop for yourself. Grill all meats.
Wow–you are in a tough situation considering your family makes its living on dairy products–which you have proclaimed that you do not wish to consume. That right there may be the riff in your family that is causing them to not want to listen to your proclomations that whole grains are better (I agree, they are). It's admirable that you wish to make your own whole wheat bread, however considering the time and costs involved (although maybe your mom makes bread all the time?) consider altering your request to buying premade whole wheat bread as a compromise? Maybe suggest trying half whole wheat and half regular to see how it tastes, and to add more fiber…
Try showing a family member the benefits of whole grains rather than just telling them…
http://www.oznet.k-state.edu/humannutrition/mf2560.pdf
http://www.healthcastle.com/whole-grains.shtml
Lastly, I cannot judge you for having vegan beliefs, nor would I ever seek to try and change your feelings. However, as a 23yo female I have to share with you my concerns with so many young women becoming vegans–basically you do not get adequate vitamins and nutrients. Certainly it is possible, but considering you are not living on your own and do not poscess the resources to sustain your way of life–you may be putting yourself at nutritional risk. A recent study has demonstrated that calcium supplements are not as effective as getting calcium from food sources. At our age (young women) it is essential to get adequate calcium for long term bone health. I can only guess as to why you have decided to be vegan, but I sense some of it may have to do with the fact that you have grown up around dairy and have had it essentially shoved down your throat. Perhaps, you have witnessed the negative aspects of the dairy farm? Ask yourself though, if you truly cannot consume dairy because animals are being abused or mistreated? I can tell you that while I am not a practicing vegetarian I find that I rarely eat meat. As a result I have an iron deficiency…(I am working on reversing it). Basically, I am trying to encourage you to reexamine your beliefs and think about what it really means for you to be healthy. It is fantastic that you are thinking about your health. I am sorry that you are having difficulties with your family. Perhaps if you begin to approach them in a mature, non-accusatory manor they will begin to listen to you. If not, certainly keep looking for a job.
p.s. start taking a multivitamin if you aren't already.