https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 02 Jun 2026 19:36:07 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-to-a-healthier-household#post-2684920 Mon, 23 Jan 2017 10:12:27 +0000 annem1990 2684920@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We made a huge switch to (almost) no processed foods about 6 months ago. I enjoy making breads, pastas, etc. from scratch... it I can totally see how that's too much for most.<br /> We found the most success with two changes:<br /> 1). We don't bring any "unhealthy" or processed food into the house. No crackers, ice cream, pretzels, etc. If we want a cookie, we bake it from scratch. I found that if it's not in the house, we don't miss it.<br /> 2). Plan!! If we get home from work at 6:00 and have yet to make a plan for dinner/shop, take-out is just too tempting. We usually discuss in the morning what we are in the mood for and then take turns going to the store after work. </p> <p>That being said, I think knowing that you can enjoy foods without worrying about it all the time is important. When we do go out to dinner, I just order what looks good! Splurging keeps me from getting bored 😊 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-to-a-healthier-household#post-2684892 Mon, 23 Jan 2017 09:00:21 +0000 Cole 2684892@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am apparently one of those backward people who did great with this until I got pregnant with my first and I haven't gotten back on the bandwagon but it's one of my goals. </p> <p>I found we had to do a lot of experimenting with some things until we found an acceptable substitute for us. Ww pasta was hard initially and we wound up just not eating pasta for about two months and then tried a few brands and settled on Trader Joe's house brand. We handled the switch to brown rice similarly. </p> <p>The biggest help for me was the blog 100 days of real food. She did this transition and it was really helpful for me to read the steps she took and the pitfalls she found along the way. </p> <p>I started with myself and as I discussed it with my husband he got on board with it. I make dinner and he's a pretty flexible eater so dinner was just automatically in line with my preferences. At some point I asked that we refrain from keeping junk food at home and he was on board. </p> <p>While pregnant I am sick and cooking, especially at dinner time is darn near impossible so we eat way too many trader Joe's frozen meals. They are usually better than some options but it's still processed, frozen food. I definitely suggest figuring out some good quick options that work for your family because I found this was a much more cooking intense way of eating. Also, we eventually found some "exceptions" we worth it for us. We don't get bakery bread often but we buy white bread when we do. We rarely buy sweets but Oreos are hard to replace! Eating well 90% of the time made it easier not to worry about the other stuff. </p> <p>All that being said, we didn't have kids yet! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-to-a-healthier-household#post-2684820 Sun, 22 Jan 2017 23:10:47 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2684820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've been slowly working on this and still have a long way to go. However, our transition was more forced than anything - LO had a ton of allergies (milk, gluten, egg) when she started weaning and I had to make everything from scratch. That exeprience really reinforced my desire to stay away from processed food. </p> <p>1) Did you make the change yourself first and then implement to the family?</p> <p>I enjoy cooking and prepared our meals prior to LO, but her allergies really took it to a whole new level.</p> <p>2) When faced with resistance from kids - how did you overcome? (i.e. "treat" meals for the things they love but you dont want to be staples in their diets). </p> <p>Our situation was a little unusual because her allergies meant she couldn't have processed snacks. Now that she's outgrown her allergies, she's had junk food, but we normally don't stock it enough for her to ever ask - except for ice cream, but she knows she can't have it every day.</p> <p>3) What has been the biggest hurdle?</p> <p>Time. Most definitely time. </p> <p>4) How do you explain to kids healthy vs not healthy?</p> <p>She knows the difference between real food and dessert - that real food lets her grow big and strong and too much snacks and desserts will give her a tummy ache. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-to-a-healthier-household#post-2683306 Thu, 19 Jan 2017 15:36:40 +0000 JennyPenny 2683306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: Awesome! I've heard a lot of people compliment her Korean Beef Bowls actually so I'll have to try that soon. So far the big wins in our house have been all of her soups, and especially the Beef Stroganoff and the Chicken Piri Piri Bowls. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-to-a-healthier-household#post-2683242 Thu, 19 Jan 2017 14:52:13 +0000 erinbaderin 2683242@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyPenny: I ordered this on a whim seeing your recommendation (I make the Korean Beef Bowls all the time and realized it was the same lady), it came today, and I LOVE it! Every recipe looks delicious! I'm going to make every dinner next week out of it, thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-to-a-healthier-household#post-2683208 Thu, 19 Jan 2017 14:27:10 +0000 brownepiano 2683208@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is the white sauce mix recipe. I was going to type this up but I keep not having enough time. This is from the more-with-less cookbook </p> [attach=5558/17/ok1kpa.337x600.IMG_20170119_142413225_HDR.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-to-a-healthier-household#post-2681813 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 21:01:13 +0000 JennyD 2681813@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We sort of did things in stages. Which I would recommend. It's hard to revamp everything at once. We've been meal planners for a long time so that was easy. I also highly recommend meal planning. DH and I started doing mason jar salads more or less together for work. DD goes to daycare so we didn't have to do lunch for her. </p> <p>We slowly, and without a plan, added new and healthier dinners to the rotation. Mostly we eat simple stuff. And last year we decided to be mostly vegetarians at home. </p> <p>I refuse to make any different foods for LO. But she's a pretty good eater so it's not usually an issue. I'm not too strict about snacks. I'm not terribly consistent about that. Generally I try to push fruit. </p> <p>Biggest hurdle is time. Time to chop so many veggies. And on bad days it's hard to not just get McDonald's. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-to-a-healthier-household#post-2681711 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 18:22:06 +0000 Greentea 2681711@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I try to keep it simple- everyone has different opinions on what is healthy, but from my own research and opinion I believe vegetarian diet is best, with occasional fish.</p> <p>I try to think of food as medicine. It is very expensive, and we aren't perfect. What helps is that DH is an amazing cook. I try to make everything as healthy as I can- for example greentea -I add cinnamon and ginger and vanilla. I think - eat as many veggies and fruits as I can, veg protein, probiotic foods. </p> <p>We talk constantly to DD about it and encourage her, telling her about growing strong and lifelong health "this will make you super fast at the park today!"</p> <p>If nothing else, I put greens in smoothies or do green and clementine juice in her decaf greentea- I make it in my blender- little things like that! We never eat out, additionally- if we ever did get takeout we'd do Panera or sushi, most likely. I try to have everything I eat serve a purpose. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-to-a-healthier-household#post-2681690 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 17:49:09 +0000 gingerbebe 2681690@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've gotten my 2 year old more into salads and fresh veggies by having him help make our salads (DH and I usually have one for lunch or dinner). At the very least he will nibble on a piece of something and spit it out. Then we will say "good try buddy!" We also make our salads more of a chopped salad - like thinly sliced lettuce, shredded carrots, chopped tomato, thin slices of cucumber - and add fun things like apples or raisins or chow mein noodles or croutons or glazed walnuts. I actually had my 2 year old eat a small plate of salad that way because he called it "noodles" and ate up the salad like pasta?? Even if that doesn't work, we can deconstruct it into a plate - chopped chicken, shredded carrots, a few croutons, apples.</p> <p>We also started making more interactive meals - like mu shu pork wraps or lettuce wraps or tacos or nachos - things you have to assemble and are coincidentally chock full of veggies. Its a MESS with a 2 year old but we put a bib on him and get the splat mat out and let him go to town. It helps broaden his cultural palate and he's more willing to eat if its something he can dip or sorta play with. </p> <p>We do white pasta at our house, but I've done 50/50 pasta and zoodles with it or puree a lot of veggies into our spaghetti sauce, which I think sorta balances it out. </p> <p>We do halfsies on treats in the house too. Vanilla Greek yogurt with some sprinkles. Rice Krispies but I throw a cup or two of Fruity Pebbles into the mix and get some fun in there that way. Juice is always cut 50/50 with water. Fruit smoothies with yogurt and milk, but I throw in some frozen spinach or frozen green beans. </p> <p>We eat a lot of frozen veggies - it cuts my prep time and its easier and I feel like I have less waste that way. And its really easy to throw a handful of frozen veggies into basically anything I cook and bulk it out with more nutrition.</p> <p>I keep convenience food in the house - chicken nuggets, hot dogs, frozen pancakes - but I don't rely on them. I just want to be realistic and eat a balance of foods. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-to-a-healthier-household#post-2681684 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 17:32:50 +0000 gingerbebe 2681684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So this is a basic blueprint recipe:</p> <p><a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-diy-crea-16827" rel="nofollow">http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-diy-crea-16827</a></p> <p>I have done it with canola or olive oil too. What I usually do is go 1 cup of milk instead of broth/milk and then add 1 teaspoon of Better than Bouillion. I use chicken for cream of chicken, I use their vegetable or roasted garlic base for cream of mushroom (and you can throw in a can of chopped mushrooms if you like it shroomy). I also use celery seed if I need cream of celery. Lots of fresh cracked pepper too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-to-a-healthier-household#post-2681561 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 15:28:52 +0000 threeplusme 2681561@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D haven't tried it but this looks good <a href="http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/condensed-homemade-cream-chicken-soup-recipe/" rel="nofollow">http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/condensed-homemade-cream-chicken-soup-recipe/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-to-a-healthier-household#post-2681556 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 15:25:40 +0000 erinbaderin 2681556@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In terms of explaining it, we talk a lot about different kinds of energy, and how our bodies need vegetable energy and meat energy as well as cookie energy to be able to do fun things. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-to-a-healthier-household#post-2681518 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 14:48:38 +0000 Mrs D 2681518@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyPenny: I'm also a cookbook junkie...so I just ordered that (seriously Amazon prime is dangerous!)...THANKS! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-to-a-healthier-household#post-2681512 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 14:41:55 +0000 JennyPenny 2681512@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: I don't know about condensed soups, but this is my new favorite cookbook as a working mom. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Skinnytaste-Fast-Slow-Knockout-Quick-Fix/dp/0553459600/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1484682029&#038;sr=8-1&#038;keywords=skinnytaste+fast+and+slow" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/Skinnytaste-Fast-Slow-Knockout-Quick-Fix/dp/0553459600/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1484682029&#038;sr=8-1&#038;keywords=skinnytaste+fast+and+slow</a></p> <p>Everything is either 30 min or less, or uses the slow cooker. Everything I've made from it has been delicious and uses real ingredients. And there's nutrition facts for every recipe! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-to-a-healthier-household#post-2681510 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 14:40:58 +0000 Mrs D 2681510@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere: I found some quinoa pasta on Thrive! I'll put it in my next order... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-to-a-healthier-household#post-2681506 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 14:36:38 +0000 brownepiano 2681506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: Yep. It's not quite the same, it's thinner. I can't have dairy so I use it in place of the cream of whatever soups. To use in place of condensed soups I'd just make it really thick. I'll dig out the recipe and type it up. It uses powdered milk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-to-a-healthier-household#post-2681498 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 14:29:41 +0000 Mrs D 2681498@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@youboots: I agree on the balance. We enjoy eating out as a family and doing things like going for ice cream on hot summer nights. I view my efforts at home as a means to balance out and allow for those splurges!</p> <p>Totally agree on the meal prep - I'd die without it!</p> <p>We've been using HomeChef when in a bind and I really like the meal options. Like you said it sparks my creativity. I also find that method cooking is a huge help to me...learn a method vary it tons of different ways to make a totally different meal.</p> <p>@brownepiano: By basic white sauce do you mean butter/flour/milk? I've never cooked with that not from start to finish - meaning I have made rue's (no clue if that is how you spell it) but its always to be used right then. I never thought of keeping it in the fridge for use later! How intriguing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-to-a-healthier-household#post-2681496 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 14:26:17 +0000 lamariniere 2681496@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: They grind the grains into flour and then make it into pasta the same way as regular flour. If you can find it, kamut pasta has a ton of protein, like 10 g per serving! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-to-a-healthier-household#post-2681495 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 14:25:10 +0000 brownepiano 2681495@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: you can use a basic white sauce in place of condensed soup. I have a recipe for a base that you can mix up and keep in the fridge, then just add and boil. It's really easy.</p> <p>Eta- also if you rely on boxed mixes for baking there are a lot of 'master baking mix' recipes out there that can be an easy replacement. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-to-a-healthier-household#post-2681491 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 14:23:23 +0000 youboots 2681491@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Meal planning really helps. I also use Hello Fresh about 1x a month to get new ideas. DD is under 2 so she eats simple foods and usually has dinner before us. If there is an element from our meal that's good for her then we share- so last night we had pork chips, mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli and we gave her the veggies.</p> <p>We cook in big batches- like Spagetti sauce we make about 12 portions from scratch- then freeze them in glass Pyrex. We also cook and prep taco meat.</p> <p>I love Trader Joe's for pre prepped veggies.</p> <p>DH is gluten intolerant I usually cooked mostly from scratch before that but I have to be extra mindful over the last 4 years.</p> <p>We still keep some junk food (like American cheese and pistachios) around and eat out but I think we have struck a good balance for our family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-to-a-healthier-household#post-2681483 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 14:20:57 +0000 Mrs D 2681483@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: I'll look at that brand!</p> <p>@lamariniere: pardon my ignorance...is it those products shaped into pasta? I eat quinoa all the time - DH prefers rice - which I am fine with so I dont force the subject. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-to-a-healthier-household#post-2681476 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 14:17:59 +0000 lamariniere 2681476@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: could you try a kamut, spelt or quinoa based pasta? I pretty much only buy spelt pasta and no one complains (it's also very cheap and easy to find where I live). But again, it's pretty much all they know. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-to-a-healthier-household#post-2681471 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 14:15:34 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2681471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: DH doesn't like WW pasta that much, so we compromised on the Ronzoni veggie pasta. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-to-a-healthier-household#post-2681463 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 14:10:43 +0000 Mrs D 2681463@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: Good idea on the make it if you want it angle. I like this. I am just starting to get DD more involved in the kitchen, planning to build those learning towers for both girls this spring. I dont have any issue with treats in general, its when the treat is also full of processed crap that I feel bad.</p> <p>I am good on using fresh veggies and fruit - I have gotten in to a good rhythm with it. But am working to solidify a pasta brand I like (DH wont eat WW pasta no matter how much I try).</p> <p>I would love it if someone would post an a homemade version of condensed soups - that would be SO helpful. BC of my job I rely a lot on slow cooker meals - which I feel use a lot of condensed soup!</p> <p>I'm also planning on her and DD2 accompanying me to the farmers market this summer every saturday to shop - I think it will make her more interested in eating if she helps pick it out! Maybe even growing some veggies! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-to-a-healthier-household#post-2681449 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 14:01:49 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2681449@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: Yes! This about a lot of treats. We never really get packaged cookies (unless we are in a bind from a bakery). So the treat is when we make cookies or brownies or muffins at home. </p> <p>Also, I make a lot of waffles and pancakes at home and keep them frozen. I like to make those from scratch anyways. Sometimes that with Peanut butter or nutella (obviously not healthy but in limited moderation) is a treat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-to-a-healthier-household#post-2681444 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 14:00:06 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2681444@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would love to follow.</p> <p>We as a couple had some bad habits that we started to break. Things like Rice a Roni and boxed potatoes, etc. That was the biggest thing we cut out from our normal "meal planning". We just do white rice or veggie/wheat pasta as sides. Cut up roasted potatoes are simple and fast and healthy not covered in artificial flavorings and cheese. We do a lot of frozen veggies because they are still simple. For the kids we have bent and do low-sodium canned veggies because they seem to eat them better (italian green beans). Ive cut out all soda. The kids snack on things like cheese, yogurt, fruit and very rarely crackers. We try to make "treats" like homemade muffins to have on hand if they want to go play outside and have something to grab and go. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-to-a-healthier-household#post-2681441 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 13:58:57 +0000 Anagram 2681441@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: maybe for treat-type foods your rule can be you have to make it yourself from scratch with real ingredients? So juice in a box would be out, but juice you squeeze or get from a juicer is okay? Or cookies in a package are out, but homemade cookies are okay? I think just limiting the packaged/processed preservatives helps make treats more healthy. Also, realistically, you won't have the time to be making these treats very frequently, so your family will cut down on them naturally.</p> <p>But to save time, you can use frozen veggies or processed meats if they are from companies who use real ingredients, low added salts, and no preservatives for example. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-to-a-healthier-household#post-2681435 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 13:53:11 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2681435@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was just talking about this with a coworker who is pretty extreme on the health stuff with himself and in turn his kids. He always says he allows the kids to have the treat/sugar but tells them 'remember that just because it tastes good, doesn't mean it's good for us'. He reinforces that at all times. Allowing them to have it when they've made the choice prevents it from becoming a forbidden fruit type problem. Over time, they have stopped craving it and they don't have processed foods in the house so it isn't an option anyway. He also does a lot of paleo type baking with his kids, which allows them to have 'treats' with ingredients they have control over and helps the kids see what goes into the food they eat. His kids now recognize that they feel sick or too full/uncomfortable or whatever if they have a lot of candy or pizza or whatnot so it's gotten to be self limiting over a period of 1-2 years (he started paleo himself then brought it in for the whole family) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-to-a-healthier-household#post-2681414 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 13:35:59 +0000 lamariniere 2681414@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a similar food philosophy. I try to cook from scratch as often as possible with fresh and high quality ingredients, but I'm not killing myself to make my own bread, pasta, etc., and I'll use some convenience items because, let's face it, it's impossible to cook from scratch every night. </p> <p>For your questions:</p> <p>1. I've been eating this way for a long time, so my kids were kind of born into it. My husband is perfectly happy to go along with it, but he's not a great cook. </p> <p>2. As for the kids, I only make one dinner. If they don't like it I don't offer anything else. The rule is they have to try. If they truly don't like it then I'll let them have a piece of bread or some cheese, but no snacks, no separate dinner. I also try to make something that I know they will eat every other day. </p> <p>3. Biggest hurdles are time and getting into ruts. </p> <p>4. My older LO just had a nutrition unit at school, so he has a decent idea of what a balanced meal should look like. In general, we don't buy much junk food, but I'll say things like "you have to eat vegetables because they make you grow" or "one cookie is ok, but 5 is way too many and you'll get a tummy ache". So it's not really healthy vs not healthy, but vaguely trying to steer them towards good food choices. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/transitioning-to-a-healthier-household#post-2681366 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 12:52:10 +0000 Mrs D 2681366@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So - I'm looking from input here from other moms who have made some lifestyle changes and implemented them to the whole family. </p> <p>Background: Over the last two years I've been researching/reading and general fact gathering. I am finally settling on being fed up with processed foods. I accept that some foods I can not (or will not) make myself. For those - I am comfortable finding quality brands who's ingredient list I am comfortable with. We generally have a pretty balanced diet in our house - but we could certainly user a stronger push for vegetables. And I could certainly help by getting rid of the crutch food items I use on the fly in a bind and some of our easy snacks.</p> <p>My DDs are 3 and 10 mos respectively. I know I can make changes to the 10 mos olds routine and she will go along with it easily. The 3 year old will put up a bit of a fight.</p> <p>Questions - </p> <p>1) Did you make the change yourself first and then implement to the family?<br /> 2) When faced with resistance from kids - how did you overcome? (i.e. "treat" meals for the things they love but you dont want to be staples in their diets)<br /> 3) What has been the biggest hurdle?<br /> 4) How do you explain to kids healthy vs not healthy? </p>