South Beach Diet with kids

[Anonymous]

I love this diet and have found it incredibly effective in the past. However I struggle with trying to prepare South Beach type meals for my husband and I and also a family friendly meal for my children(they love things like lasagne, pot roast, chicken with rice, etc.) This issue has really burned me out, and lately I've just been cooking one family friendly meal, but it is usually loaded with carbs! Or else I prepare a meal for my family and then go out and get a salad from Panera Bread fro myself but this is wearing me out. Anyone have any advice or tips? I have lost 25 lbs on South Beach in the past (starting about 5 years ago) but have gained it all back and I am at my wit's end!

[Anonymous]

Don't know what to tell you other than what you're doing. I cook for the family, and eat my own meals. Kind of sucks to do the double labor thing, but I haven't found a way around it.

[Anonymous]

OK, thanks for your reply

[Anonymous]

You could try switching to something like the Zone diet. It's 40% carbs/30% protein/30% fat. It's easier to put kids on it (you just don't restrict their quantities). There is a bunch of free online stuff about the zone and good and bad foods for each category.

If it helps any, I have an enormous number of food allergies, so I have to prepare all my meals separately from my kids anyway. You do eventually get used to it, although I find that when I am tired I end up shorting myself (I basically live on lowfat cottage cheese and spinach salads because I never want to cook anything for myself!).

[Anonymous]

Sometimes I'll prepare a "my-diet" meal, but because it's not as rich and tasty like baked ziti it's usually met with opposition.

So, yes, I become a little bit of a short order cook b/c of my eating preferences (I'm out numbered in my family).

I usually make a huge bowl of salad on Monday and so I'll have left overs for Tues (sometimes Wed. depends) so I'm not constantly preparing two meals every night.

One more thing - in the winter/cold months, the family LOVES the starchy/carb loaded comfort foods. So don't try any slight of hand by announcing that everyone is having salad with a slice of salmon on top because it's not recieved well (I'll try again in the spring when "lighter" meals are more welcomed).

[Anonymous]

I love South Beach, and it really works for me. Soups are a good option (lentil, bean, chicken etc) that are lowish fat and don't have potatoes. I generally make them myself. The kids get whole wheat rolls and butter with their soup and everyone is happy. I also do well with chicken breasts, with extra veggies for me. Seafood dishes also work, I just leave out the starch for myself. Sometimes I need to do two meal preps, but usually I can modify the main course so that we are all happy.

[Anonymous]

How old are the kids?