How can I eat healthier without scaring my parents?

Question

I don't want them to think I have an eating disorder just because I've been trying to eat a more balanced diet, and that I want to exercise more.

Why would I need nutritional counseling?

I'm not trying to lose weight, I'm just wanting to get more fruits&veggies every day..

I already don't eat red meat or fish, and I'm wanting to eliminate poultry too, but I want to be able to eat better before I do that. I don't want to be a vegetarian that lives off of carbs!

Answer 1

You do NOT need a doctor or a nutritionist. You are growing up. Just tell your mom you really like veggies and just start eating more of them. You are at an excellent age to begin caring for your body and this is a great thing to do. Again, no doctor, no nutritionist. You can eat as many green and yellow veggies as you like without fear of harm.

Answer 2

The first step is to be open about your desire to eat healthier. By doing this it will show your parents that you are not trying to "hide" your behavior. If you're parents "find out" then this is where they may become concerned, as any parent would be.

You can start by eating a VARIETY of healthy foods. When you include many different healthy clean foods your parents will see that you are not going on some sort of "fad diet" but rather leading a healthy lifestyle.

I think it's so bizarre how people are sooo accepting of eating chocolate chip pancakes with a gallon of syrup and milk for breakfast at iHOP yet when someone wants to have 4 eggs whites with a small bowl of plain oatmeal people want to send you to a doctor.

It's great to see you are concerned about your health. You're parents should be proud of you.

Answer 3

EAT BREAKFAST!!!!

there is an old saying,

eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper

Big Breakfast, medium lunch small dinner

Breakfast= fruit, 3 eggs whites, 1 piece of whole wheat whole grain light toast, milk or orange juice, coffee if you want with skim milk and 1 splenda (best artificial sugar)

lunch= turkey sandwich with a very little bit of light mayo or mustard (russian dressing is out) lettuce tomato, pickles, all the veggies you want on it!, 1 piece of fiber filled fruits (apple , anything with a skin) or nuts

dinner- grilled or baked chicken, fish (can be very lightly breaded with lemon and pepper, if it is salmon you should go with cajun spice on it!), or turkey cutlet, on a salad with a non-creamy dressing (little or none of any dressing at all), one piece of whole wheat bread with margarine or light butter.

Snacks= lowfat crackers with cheese
fiber filled foods ( granola bars light ones only!!), apples, nuts, etc.
carrots, celery, or peppers in lowfat dip

try to eat 2 or less snacks a day, at most 3

drink water and green tea (with 1 splenda or unsweetened)
you can crystal light to water

staying hydrated speeds up metabolism

green tea and green tea supplements also speed up metabolism

excersize- 1 hour, intense cardio 6 days a week, strength or resistance training (3-5 days a week, don't work the same muscle group 2 days in a row), 1 day of low intensity cardio a week

good luck, don't try to lose the weight too fast, it will only cause loss of muscle and water, lose it slower and it will be all fat ( don't slow down wight loss on purpose though)


as for the abs and love handles- crunches, leg lifts, leglift-crunch, plank, buy a swiss excersize ball and find an article on how to use it, that should work your abs and muscles known as love handle obliques.

Once again good luck!

Remember, you can do this, I'm rooting for ya!!!!


This is easy when you take it one step at a time because you can have some snacks and stuff and it works for life not just your goal, this will be your whole life eating plan with some treats mixed in every now and then after you meet the goal.

This will take you those last 10 pounds!


Also try these-

park in the furthest spot from your office, change your natural walking pace when walking anywhere! (to work, room to rroom, lunch, faster or slower both work) Drink green tea, drink watre, cahnge the diet, chew sugar free gum, eat celery.

Answer 4

Just cut out things that they know are not good for you anyway:

Soda
Mayonnaise
Sausage, pepperoni, bacon, lunch meats, hotdogs
Fast foods (except salad or baked potato)
FRIED foods
Sugary cereals
Too much bread, rice or pasta
More than the recommended portion size of any meat
Chocolate, candy, cookies, cake, pie

My son lost a lot of weight just by cutting out a few of the above things, and in a short time. He still ate enough food, but healthier food.

Substitute grapes or other fruits for desserts
Eat non-fat yogurt (many flavors to choose from)
Broil, bake or barbeque (instead of frying)
Eat healthy cereals (Cheerios, Shredded Wheat, Oatmeal)
Eat lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, celery
Eat broccoli, spinach and other veggies
Eat sugar-free jello or pudding
Drink V8 Juice, OJ, Cranberry Juice, etc.
Drink hot or cold herbal or green tea
Tuna and other fish (not fried, no tartar sauce, no mayo)

Answer 5

Talk with your parents and let them know that you are trying to live a healthier lifestyle. Suggestions healthier items when you go grocery shopping and get your parents to eat healthier too. Its a lot easier to have a healthier lifestyle when the whole family is involved in the change. Make sure you bake instead of fry...try whole wheat and grain products...more water and 100 percent juices rather than sodas. Its also good to take daily multivitamins to help you live a healthier lifestyle. All the best to you and your family and I hope this helps!

Answer 6

The best way might be to show them you are serious about being healthy and fit, not copy the emaciated celebrities today. I am a runner and love to eat. As long as I run I can eat healthy food...and as much as I like. It's a balance you have to show...not starvation. Remember, if you have no fuel to burn...you'll have no energy to exercise. You will feel good inside when you are putting in good stuff. Set a goal too, and tell them what it is you are trying to acheive...they'll probably support you too...which is nice!

Answer 7

LOL ,nutritional counseling just refers to seeing someone who specializes in nutrition and is able to help you with your weight goals and can facilitate proper communication between you and your parent about how eating healthy is for the best, for all of you OK!

Answer 8

Tell them exactly what you just said here. See your Doctor or a nutritionist. Don't go by any type of "diet" not recommend by a physician especially if you are still growing. At your age(if you're under 18) you may need things that adults don't.

Answer 9

Try a vegetarian diet. Do you know any unhealthy vegetarians? I don't think they exist. If you are still growing make sure that it includes plenty of proteins. Besides fruit and vegies you also need plenty of cereals, muesli, bread, potatoes and hot pasta and, of course plenty of nuts such as almonds.

Answer 10

keep everything in balance then. don't overdo the exercising or the change in foods. just don't be a kook and they should be glad to see you taking care of yourself better.