Get Your Family Involved in Dinner

One of my biggest tips to get your family, significant other, kids, roommates, or whoever it may be to join you in making healthier meals is to get them involved! It is much easier to get someone to try something new if they are involved in the process or planning.

I can't tell you how many times I've been told "I don't know how I would ever get my *insert whoever* to eat vegetables" or "My ---- would never eat that for dinner." First of all, I didn't use to eat how I do now until I started trying new things and stepping outside of my comfort zone. It is the same way for anyone else. Habits can be hard to break including your diet. (I use the word diet to mean what you regularly eat not a specific diet or fad!)

So how do you get your family to make healthier choices with you?

Take baby steps. If they don't want to help cook the meal, include them in the grocery shopping. Have them pick out something they want to try and include it in a meal during the week. If they do like to cook, look for a new recipe together.

Not only will this allow your family to try new foods but it provides an awesome opportunity for quality time!

Our Dinner Time Routine

Since we got married, we have always made it a priority to eat dinner together. Because I was studying so much during pharmacy school I barely had time to do anything else. Dinner seemed like the only time we had together some days. Even if it was for only 15 or 20 minutes we made it a priority. Thankfully my husband, Dylan, loves to cook and is really great at it so he cooked pretty much all of our meals through school. Even now he cooks most of the time but I jump in occasionally! (If he lets me. lol)

Lately, I have been the one doing most of the cooking since I get home with the kids earlier. We schedule our meals each week based on how much time we have in the evenings to cook.

Turn Dinner Time into Quality Time

It would be a dream to be able to do cook together every day but let's be realistic. With real-life, work, kids, and varying schedules it's hard to carve out that time each day. Even doing this once or twice a week can make a huge difference!

Use this time to catch up with each other. I know it can be super tempting to be on your phone or watch tv as soon as you get home (guilty!!) but I encourage you to disconnect with the outside world for just a bit and connect with those inside your home.

Health and wellness go into every aspect of our lives including our relationships. Fostering the relationships inside our home can be so great for your mental health. Having the support of those around you when making lifestyle changes can make a huge impact in making those changes stick.

Let Your Family Help Pick Dinner

When we first got married Dylan was veeerrrryyy picky. He didn't want to eat vegetables (hello pizza). I on the other hand had been in the process of changing my diet. We worked together to figure out a couple of options that he would try. Over time, he started asking for healthier options more and more. Nowadays, we cook at home almost every day of the week and each dinner is packed full of lean proteins, veggies, and deliciousness.

If you have any picky eaters, ask them what they would be willing to try. Base a meal or side dish around that and they will be more likely to have an open mind. If you have young children, you can let them pick out a new fruit or veggie at the store. The more involved in the process everyone is, the more willing they will be to try new foods. Trust me!

This will not be a quick change. It can take months to years to change the attitude towards food if you are used to eating a certain way. Involving your entire household in these changes helps everyone to live healthier lives and sets you up for greater success.

Chelcee Porter, PharmD, IFMCP