https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 15 May 2026 01:46:20 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picky-husband-what-would-you-do/page/3#post-2232222 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 21:02:17 +0000 BabyTsMom 2232222@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm really sorry, this sounds like a stressful situation. But honestly I don't think it's your responsibility to cater to his extreme restrictions. Takeout every single night is not reasonable for most people, so I'd have him buy his own food that he will eat (sandwich stuff, frozen meals, etc). Even if it's junk, it's his body that he's affecting and not yours or your kids. The issue will be more complex when your kids start noticing what dad is eating (or refusing), and yeah that's when I'd start to get concerned. Until then, I'd seriously tell him to jump off a cliff.<br /> OK that's not really helpful, but seriously? I mean if he's not willing to cook it himself, then he should not complain about your cooking. That's it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picky-husband-what-would-you-do/page/3#post-2232065 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 18:55:59 +0000 rosegold 2232065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i would ask him to plan the meals for a week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picky-husband-what-would-you-do/page/3#post-2232025 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 18:29:39 +0000 lemondrop 2232025@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@aprild: what about cooking classes for one or both of you? I've seen local groupon things that might be a fun date night or solo time activity. </p> <p>My husband is diabetic so he's limited on what he can eat, and many of the old quick dishes I cooked, he couldn't eat any more. </p> <p>Chili is one of our more common meals, the cool thing is you can dress it up in many ways. Beans, no beans, mole (chocolate/cinnamon), red, green, etc. So while yours may or may not like chili, think of that for other common dishes. Different styles of pizza, etc. </p> <p>Some nights I just throw a bag of salad at him or heat up a can of beans and order a pizza for myself and the boys. I tend to get frustrated by limitations too, so some nights I'm worn out and tell him to "suck it up buttercup" and make his own meal. </p> <p>The other thing is that we split child care, so on my work days, he is responsible for cooking, meaning we go out to dinner :P We go out to breakfast once a week on a day off we share, and have dinner out usually 2-3 nights a week. It gives me enough of a cooking break, that while I don't love it, I can bear it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picky-husband-what-would-you-do/page/3#post-2232001 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 18:04:34 +0000 youboots 2232001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would cry on the floor and drink wine from a bottle.</p> <p>Since that's not helpful... as others have mentioned I would get a cookbook that is at your skill level and have him help you pick things out. Keep a list of meal ideas on the fridge. Meal plan together. Great suggestions on the meats that can be 2for1. Grill chicken one night- plan to cook an extra breast and cube it- then make chicken pot pie or enchiladas. We have a few traditions. Every Thursday we go to the fish market and pick up something for dinner. Go on a picnic. Wander around Costco and Trader Joes together (get a babysitter and make it a date). Luckily I'm the picky eater- my Mom still talks about it. I like to tell her I'm no longer picky now that I'm the chef. I cook what I like and M is easy to please. Have him learn a meal or two. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picky-husband-what-would-you-do/page/2#post-2231992 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 17:50:11 +0000 MrsADS 2231992@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah, I guess I don't understand this (in adults)... I can understand not caring for the flavor of certain things, like fish, or certain vegetables or fruits or whatever (for example, I hate cantaloupe), and I would certainly try to accommodate that. For example, I know my husband doesn't *love* broccoli, so if I make it, I don't really expect him to eat much of it, and we tend to do more asparagus, green beans, etc. that he likes better. </p> <p>But when someone says "I won't eat pasta but I will eat beef", or preferring plated meals with a meat and sides instead of a casserole... I have to say that just sounds kind of spoiled to me, like "I like restaurant food better than homecooked!" Well, sorry - can't do that every day. </p> <p>Nothing wrong with trying to accommodate someone's honest likes/dislikes WITHIN REASON but these restrictions would not work in my house! Of course we both like to eat restaurant food, but we also have a budget to stick to and want to eat somewhat healthy, which means some meals at home and not always eating the take-out/restaurant food we might want! It's part of being a grown up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picky-husband-what-would-you-do/page/2#post-2231979 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 17:30:11 +0000 Keybee 2231979@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would talk to my husband about my frustrations. My husband doesn't eat most veggies so I have to hide them in recipes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picky-husband-what-would-you-do/page/2#post-2231834 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 15:02:28 +0000 ms.line 2231834@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: Agreed! I'm mean and have zero tolerance for picky eating from my adult family members. One time my husband tried telling me he didn't like asparagus (after I had made it for dinner) and I was like "you'll eat it and like it!!" Thankfully he did. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picky-husband-what-would-you-do/page/2#post-2231824 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 14:54:18 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 2231824@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MediaNaranja: thank goodness for rice, beans, and fried eggs. DH will almost always eat that too. (Though if I cook it, I add a handful of frozen veggies to the beans. :wink: ) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picky-husband-what-would-you-do/page/2#post-2231436 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 11:36:55 +0000 mediagirl 2231436@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know you got a lot of great suggestions. It sounds like you're a really nice person. I'd be telling my husband to go make himself a sandwich or suck it up and eat it. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picky-husband-what-would-you-do/page/2#post-2231434 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 11:36:02 +0000 hellobeeboston 2231434@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: lol</p> <p>Hmm. Yikes. I think it's a little unfair that he complains so much and doesn't offer any suggestions. You have lots of great suggestions here. Good luck. Seems like a tough situation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picky-husband-what-would-you-do/page/2#post-2231395 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 11:20:50 +0000 MediaNaranja 2231395@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Are we married to the same person?! I also have a very picky husband when it comes to eating. It used to cause a LOT of problems, but it's been a lot better lately.</p> <p>To give you an idea, my husband won't eat bread or things based around bread or that appear remotely sandwich-like (burgers, pitas, wraps, burritos, etc), big salads, nothing that is remotely sweet (bbq, marinades with even a teaspoon of sugar), he hates cheese and most other condiments, won't eat any snack foods or sweets, doesn't like pre-packaged things, doesn't like spicy food, he won't eat anything without rice....I could go on. He doesn't like takeout, he doesn't care for most leftovers. It's HARD. Part of it is that he is from another country, and that country's cuisine is the only "right" food, and part of it is that he's just picky, ugh. The worst part is that if he doesn't like something he just won't eat at all, and then he gets HANGRY. And I can't deal with it so I had to come up with something that worked for us (mostly).</p> <p>We take the kind of approach that @gingerbebe: laid out. I know that there are certain things he likes, and I try to base things around that.</p> <p>First, I figured out a few things that he will actually eat the leftovers of (usually big pots of stew that are similar to what he grew up eating). I'll make that on Sunday/Monday, and it's usually enough to last a few days. That way there is something for lunch, or a quick dinner if he's not feeling the stuff I made. I also make sure to have his comfort foods on hand--plantains, rice, eggs, and beans or lentils (he makes big batches of these himself).</p> <p>I also have some tried and true recipes that he likes (10 or so) and I will cycle through them--things get repeated every-other week or so. I will tweak things a bit, and make note of what he likes (or doesn't like). Sometimes if I just change one thing at a time he doesn't even notice...and I'll change things here and there until BOOM--new dish and he doesn't even realize it. Things like switching one kind of pasta or sausage or veggie for another. This led to him ONLY liking penne pasta with Italian sausage and peppers to him eating turkey sausage and kale in tomato sauce with linguini. I've found enough stuff that he'll eat now that I have a general idea of what he likes </p> <p>Finally, I take one or two days to try new recipes. I LOVE cooking (and eating), and love trying new stuff. So I make sure that I have things for me, too. Sometimes I have an unexpected hit (tilapia in foil packets with tomato and onion--easy and healthy, and something I though DH would hate-turns out I was wrong)! Sometimes even I don't like it (and I'll eat almost anything). If it is absolutely something he won't eat, he always has leftovers from Sunday's batch, beans, and eggs (he will almost always eat rice, beans, and a fried egg).</p> <p>I know how frustrating it can be. Luckily my husband likes to cook, and is getting better about making things that he will eat/like. And, frankly, the one thing that seemed to work when I was SUPER frustrated was just telling him to stop being such an ass. I think he didn't realize the extent that it was grating on me to listen to the complaints. It's been about a year since we had the come to jesus moment and it's a lot better (but still far from perfect). </p> <p>I hope you figure out a system that works, because speaking from experience, I know how difficult it can be (especially when you don't have time to think about this all day!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picky-husband-what-would-you-do/page/2#post-2231294 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 10:23:06 +0000 cat620 2231294@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: Those are great suggestions! Thanks! </p> <p>@ValentineMommy: No reason other than he simply doesn't like certain foods. </p> <p>@LuLu Mom: I agree that I don't want my sons to grow up being picky as a result of watching their father. Right now it's harder for me to spend a lot of time cooking, since I have a toddler to take care of and I'm very pregnant. But as my boys get older, I want to spend more time in the kitchen. I think having the free time to find recipes and experiment a little will make it easier for me to make dishes everyone will enjoy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picky-husband-what-would-you-do/page/2#post-2231116 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 09:05:11 +0000 mrsrain 2231116@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If he has such picky guidelines for what he will and won't eat, it sounds like he need to be in charge of meal planning... or at least contribute to it!<br /> Another option, post the meal plan for the week where he can see it. If he doesn't like the meal you're planning on, he can arrange for his own dinner. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picky-husband-what-would-you-do/page/2#post-2231111 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 09:02:15 +0000 Pancakes 2231111@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Dear @gingerbebe: I actually enjoy cooking, but still, would you come be my personal chef? Please and thank you :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picky-husband-what-would-you-do/page/2#post-2231100 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 08:56:59 +0000 macintosh 2231100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@aprild: I don't know...my husband is disabled - can only use one of his arms - and he occasionally helps cook dinner. He gets his own breakfast (cereal) every morning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picky-husband-what-would-you-do/page/2#post-2230995 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 08:05:28 +0000 LuLu Mom 2230995@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This would seriously piss me off, my husband can be picky but he also will try everything once &amp; I started making him retry foods he's said are "gross" for years but hasn't actually tried in his adult life. This has expanded our menu greatly. If your husband refuses to try this then I would make him pick the meals for the week so he can't complain. I would be against takeout because I would not want my child to think living on takeout is okay, creating bad habits IMO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picky-husband-what-would-you-do/page/2#post-2230991 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 08:00:24 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 2230991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: totally stealing some of these ideas. :grin: </p> <p>My DH isn't super picky about what he eats, just how old it is (he won't eat leftovers more than a day old) while I'm the type to make a big batch of something on Sunday and eat if for 3-4 days. We've come to a compromise - we do leftovers once per week and we have one fend for yourself night per week. I usually eat the remainder of the leftovers and he makes scrambled eggs with rice or eats cereal. </p> <p>Another thought - would your DH be willing to grill if you did the prep work? You could throw some pork chops or chicken in marinade in the morning and he do the grilling. Teach him how to use a rice maker (easiest thing ever!) and add a salad - and you've got a meal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picky-husband-what-would-you-do/page/2#post-2230990 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 07:59:59 +0000 ValentineMommy 2230990@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: Seriously, you can meal plan for me any day of the week.</p> <p>@aprild: Is there a reason for his pickiness? I am your husband in this situation (although I do the cooking) and would have a hard time eating anything I didn't like. I have serious food aversions and sensory issues with certain foods. Is his pickiness that serious, or is it just an "I don't like it!" type of thing? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picky-husband-what-would-you-do/page/2#post-2230977 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 07:49:02 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2230977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So for those things he likes to eat out, what type of dishes? </p> <p>Mexican - A simple packet of taco seasoning and browning ground beef is easy. If he wants beans, heat beans from a can. We just add a few simple sides like avocado. You can even buy pre cut lettuce and tomato. If he likes enchiladas, again, you can pre make a pan of them and then freeze and reheat. Same with Burritos. Maybe he watches LO on the weekends to let you make some meals ahead or do the prep work. </p> <p>BBQ - This is really easy at home. Again, pork in the crock pot and pour about a cup of BBQ sauce. Let it cook down. You can do the same with chicken. Ribs actually are surprisingly easy too. My DH does them in the oven on like 250* for about half a day. Put them in during morning nap time. Before dinner cover with the BBQ sauce and crank up the oven heat to get it to caramelize a bit. </p> <p>Steaks - Again, not too hard to make because simple seasonings are key. Its more about cooking it right which can be hard with a LO. </p> <p>Fancy salads - We do cob salads about one night a week and add frozen chicken tenders to add protein. </p> <p>I think like people have suggested you just need to find a few key things you can make and get him to agree to them. If I make a recipe, I make my husband either tell me we can add it to our "recipe book" or tell me what I can change. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picky-husband-what-would-you-do/page/2#post-2230965 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 07:35:02 +0000 looch 2230965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have learned a lot about pickiness is as a result of dealing with my son over the last few years. As a result of some conversations that I have had with nutritionists, therapists and doctors, I have come to realize that being picky is the result of something else, and it's the something else that needs to be dealt with. Telling a person with picky tendencies that they have to get over it, eat what you have prepared or nothing and that kind of thing doesn't solve the root cause.</p> <p>Some other things to think about are that dinner is actually the worst time for a person with food issues...the day has been long, they've had a lot going on and dealing with a meal outside of their food norms might put them over the sensory edge. As much as they might want to try it, they might not be able to, so I would try to pick my battle to win the war, so to speak, and find a middle ground.</p> <p>Oh, and I actually don't cook anything on the grill, I find t to be a giant pain. I much prefer my oven, with the fast broil feature. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picky-husband-what-would-you-do/page/2#post-2230956 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 07:22:04 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2230956@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: lol, presentation is everything!</p> <p>You can use a measuring cup to help shape cooked rice on a plate. For salads sectioning ingredients like on Cobb salads (rows of bacon, eggs etc) can look pretty. The plastic bottles with the narrow tip openings can be used to drizzle sauces or put dots on a plate. I bought a pack of two to store homemade pomegranate syrup from BBB. For individual dipping sauces or "special" side dishes/ desserts you can use 8 oz ramekins. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picky-husband-what-would-you-do/page/2#post-2230936 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 07:02:52 +0000 cat620 2230936@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: Those are great suggestions! I'll definitely try some of them. Thanks! </p> <p>@macintosh: When he was single, he did eat takeout every night! He never used his kitchen at all. It was pretty amazing actually. </p> <p>@Astro Bee: A cooking class could be fun! I just need to find one that makes dishes I could easily recreate and want to eat at home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picky-husband-what-would-you-do/page/2#post-2230934 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 07:00:25 +0000 Modern Daisy 2230934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DH started to complain that the dinners I was making weren't healthy enough, so I came up with some alternatives, and when he rejected those I threw my hands up and told him to start meal planning for us. I had an advantage though because DH does not like takeout. Also we both work full time and split duties like this down the middle. Even so, I would be really annoyed if I were you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picky-husband-what-would-you-do/page/2#post-2230925 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 06:07:04 +0000 catomd00 2230925@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>He needs to grow up and get over it ! My husband is picky and I'm not a good cook at all, but he chokes down gross stuff I make with a smile on his face. Only once has he admitted he didn't like something- after I said it was awful!! </p> <p>If your husband doesn't like what is on the table, he can prepare his own dinner. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picky-husband-what-would-you-do/page/2#post-2230922 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 05:55:42 +0000 Dandelion 2230922@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband is picky, too. But I make what I make and he usually eats just a little if he doesn't like it. He knows it's not a good example to my boys to act fussy. I already have 2 children. He's not going to be my third. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picky-husband-what-would-you-do/page/2#post-2230913 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 05:32:10 +0000 Hoots 2230913@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: You are awesome! The naming idea is genius! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picky-husband-what-would-you-do/page/2#post-2230903 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 03:11:34 +0000 delight 2230903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: you are amazing. I want to marry you! I'm completely jacking your ideas. </p> <p>I also have a picky husband and it makes meal planning hard. He does know, however, that I would be extremely pissed if he shouted any distaste towards anything I cooked. He's a big meat and potatoes guy so we eat a lot of "home cooked" meals. It's what he is used to growing up. You have some great advice up above, I hope you can utilize some and help make dinners more enjoyable for your family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picky-husband-what-would-you-do/page/2#post-2230898 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 02:40:32 +0000 Kimberlybee 2230898@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@aprild: That sounds like a lot of picky restrictions to work with! I don't know very many people who don't enjoy pasta caseroles or lasagna. I am a SAHM too and I don't enjoy cooking so my meals are super simple. We sometimes eat breakfast foods for dinner because I run out of ideas. If my DH complained, I would make him meal plan and I would prep it for him so he can cook after work. We eat out or order takeout for dinner every Fri and Sat so it gives me a break! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picky-husband-what-would-you-do/page/2#post-2230897 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 02:30:01 +0000 Kimberlybee 2230897@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: Great tips! I'll be using some of your recipe tips. Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/picky-husband-what-would-you-do/page/2#post-2230891 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 01:09:02 +0000 FannyMae 2230891@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: someone get this lady a medal or trophy or something! those are some genius ideas right there! </p>