Healthy Diet?

[helpme2008]

Is it really that important? Because I can assure you I do not eat a healthy diet, and I really wish I did. I hate to blame other people, but... it's just my parents. I love fruit, and whenever we have it, I eat it as fast as I can before anyone else. My parents buy a lot of junk food, and a lot of microwavable easy meals. I don't think my mom has made something "homemade" in literally years. Most of the time, she doesn't even cook for us. Sometimes my older sister does instead, or we just have to try to find out own things. Usually I end up not eating dinner or just having something like chips or a microwaveable thing.

We haven't had breakfast... since I was maybe 6 or 7. Almost a decade ago... I never even have breakfast on weekends. We don't have any breakfast foods like cereal, or waffles, etc. Lunch is just "get whatever you can find" and then dinner might be a fatty thing ordered from somewhere or a microwaveable dinner. When my sister cooks it's usually healthy, like spaghetti with broccoli that she bought with her own money or something. But she can't cook for everyone forever.

I really wish we had more strawberries, and melon, and apples... I tell my parents the foods I like and the healthy ones, and all of us say we should buy healthy foods, but they just don't listen and buy more junk. I made a list before of things I liked, and my parents never used it. When they actually do buy some fruit, they leave it out on the counter when it should be refridgerated. It rots pretty quickly and is never even used... like there's a bag of apples on the counter from a while back. I never notice when they buy it, or I'd put it in the fridge myself.

What should I do? My parents won't cook much, or give us good food even though we want it. I don't know what to do. Why would they even be against it in the first place?

[Aviatormy]

Originally Posted by helpme2008

Is it really that important?

YES!!!!

The patterns of eating that you learn growing up are usually hard to break as an adult (good or bad)

Because I can assure you I do not eat a healthy diet, and I really wish I did. I hate to blame other people, but... it's just my parents. I love fruit, and whenever we have it, I eat it as fast as I can before anyone else. My parents buy a lot of junk food, and a lot of microwavable easy meals. I don't think my mom has made something "homemade" in literally years. Most of the time, she doesn't even cook for us. Sometimes my older sister does instead, or we just have to try to find out own things. Usually I end up not eating dinner or just having something like chips or a microwaveable thing.

All terrible foods. Fruits should be ate in small portions. Everyone thinks that fruits are healthy and that they can live off them but will later wonder why they are 5'10" tall and 5'10" wide. Most fruits have an ENORMOUS amount of sugar!

We haven't had breakfast... since I was maybe 6 or 7.

Ok so up until about 1-2 years ago you could blame your parents. Now you are 16-17 and can get a job, buy your own groceries and stash them

When my sister cooks it's usually healthy, like spaghetti with broccoli that she bought with her own money or something. But she can't cook for everyone forever.

Follow in her footsteps however, stay away from spaghetti as well. (not healthy)

I really wish we had more strawberries, and melon, and apples...

Eat a spoonful of sugar. Same thing minus the vitamins

I tell my parents the foods I like and the healthy ones, and all of us say we should buy healthy foods, but they just don't listen and buy more junk. I made a list before of things I liked, and my parents never used it.

I am proud of you for trying but unless you are forking out the cash to get those items... they probably wont get them. Just go shopping on your own and put labels on your health foods. If they start eating your "stash" then tell them to back off. (you can not be a hypocrate though and eat their junk food as well while telling them they can't have your food.). Completely stop eating their choice Micro meals

What should I do? My parents won't cook much, or give us good food even though we want it. I don't know what to do. Why would they even be against it in the first place?

Get a job and contribute to the grocery bill. It will be worth it in the long run!

Good luck

[keenan]

Sure, a healthy diet is very important! It makes a huge difference in how you feel now, and how you'll look in 20 years!

I wonder if you and your sister can talk to your parents about doing some of the grocery shopping and menu planning. You and your sister could each pick a recipe or two from a cookbook that you like, and make one or two meals a week each. If you want some cookbook recommendations I can give you tons.

Also, making healthy breakfast and lunches is really easy. For breakfast you can do oatmeal with bananas and pecans with a little honey, or Greek yogurt with blueberries. Yum! Sandwiches are really easy lunches. Everyday I make sandwiches on whole wheat bread. Spread hummus on one side, mustard on the other, then pile it high with low fat turkey, cucumber, [color=#fa7777]* [/color][color=#fa7777]* [/color][color=#fa7777]* [/color][color=#fa7777]* [/color][color=#fa7777]* [/color][color=#fa7777]* [/color][color=#fa7777]* [/color], and sprouts. Pack some baby carrots and an apple or orange, and you're set! You don't need your folks for this stuff--you just need some money to buy the stuff, and the motivation to make it yourself.

[angelclaw]

No offense, Aviatormy, but fruit and spaghetti are a lot healthier than microwave dinners and fast food.

The less processed it is, the better it is for you, so fruit and home cooked meals are a good start. I'm sure your parents are buying the junk food because it's cheap and convenient - not to mention they may not have grown up with the healthiest eating habits themselves. Whether you have a job or get an allowance, it sounds like it's up to you to buy what you want to eat. Find out if there is a farmer's market in your town, and see if your sister will take you - you'll find produce there is cheap and plentiful, and it's often organically grown as well. Pick an ingredient or two and then check out a recipe website (my favorite is allrecipes.com) where you can search by ingredient and see what seems reasonable to you to obtain and prepare without your parents' help.

Some staples I like to have on hand that aren't too costly are beans, rice, oatmeal, lowfat soymilk, carrots and celery, peanut butter (fresh ground is best - most stores have this in their natural foods section), bananas and a good whole grain bread without high fructose corn syrup or preservatives. Tofu is an excellent source of protein, though it takes some getting used to, or if you're not into that kind of thing try some canned tuna (water packed).

Eating healthy really is worth it - you'll have more energy, you won't get sick as often, and the sooner you start the easier it gets. Best of luck.

[Aviatormy]

Originally Posted by angelclaw

No offense, Aviatormy, but fruit and spaghetti are a lot healthier than microwave dinners and fast food.

No Sht sherlock.

No Offense.

I didn't say they were just like micro dinners. I just said that they are not all that healthy... I.E. Carbs and sugars.

[angelclaw]

Kid's not trying to be a bodybuilder, just improve eating habits. The carbs and sugar from fruit don't really seem like a factor in this case. No need to react with such hostility, I just think your advice is a little off the mark.

[Aviatormy]

Originally Posted by angelclaw

Kid's not trying to be a bodybuilder, just improve eating habits. The carbs and sugar from fruit don't really seem like a factor in this case. No need to react with such hostility, I just think your advice is a little off the mark.

Understood but.....

Originally Posted by helpme2008

I love fruit, and whenever we have it, I eat it as fast as I can before anyone else.

According to this ^^^. Eating fruit like this is not healthy. So in essence, I am on "mark".

The "kid" would greatly improve her diet by not eating large amounts of fruit. This is why I said "fruits are good in small portions".

As for spaghetti. I don't want to give out false information and say that spaghetti is healthy. This entree should also be eaten in small portions and not very often.

No hostility, I just know a lot about nutrition and I still have much to learn. I will only state FACTS when people ask for advice on eating right and or getting into shape.

Thank you

[angelclaw]

Is it a FACT that fruit is the nutritional equivalent of a spoonful of refined sugar? Has anybody ever really gotten 5' 10" wide from eating fruit alone? Is it a FACT that all spaghetti is unhealthy, regardless of what the pasta and sauce are made from?

Originally Posted by Aviatormy

No Sht sherlock.

Sounds like hostility to me.

[knightingale]

Whole grain spaghetti with organic tomato sauce is perfectly healthy. You have to follow the food pyramid. You need those grains to be healthy. Carbs are fine as long as you use up the energy they give you. They're only bad if you plop down on the couch after a spaghetti dinner and loaf around. I'm not saying you should have it every night and eat a massive bowl of it, but good sized portion maybe once a week is fine. The grains, rice and pasta portion of the pyramid is the largest, but only because carbs turn into sugar which give you energy to work off excess calories.

Same goes for fruit. You need 2-4 servings a day! Natural sugar is much much much much better for you than processed sugar. Definitely aim to eat more veggies (3-5 servings), but fruits make perfect snacks or dessert after dinner. Especially berries. They detox your body and give you good circulation. They also keep you from retaining water. Study the food pyramid. Go grocery shopping with your parents, don't just give them a list. Actively introduce the foods you want to eat.

Also, eat more white meat than red meat. Red meat is good for you, but only in moderation. Stick with mostly chicken and turkey. Pork is actually not good for you, it messes with your digestion.

Eating healthy can be expensive, but worth the price in the long run.

[just M.E.]

No one food category is a villain or perfect either, a balance of all for a younger person is essential. Even the correct and healthy fats are necessary for brain development.

Processed foods are generally bad though, eating "clean", natural foods and meats is healthy. Avoiding fried foods is a good idea in general. Avoiding fast foods is generally a good idea.

Fruits are good sources of vitamins and anti-oxidants, some are great sources for fiber. Carbohydrates in the form of complex carbs are very healthy. What I do believe is that the nutrition we get through the food we eat is used by our bodies more effectively than what we get through supplements. Supplements are just that, supplemental to a healthy diet.