Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Update: Today I refused to stop for the usual sugary drink and snack at 7/11 after school. The boys refused to eat anything when we got home (having skipped lunch and eaten half a frosted poptart each for breakfast), but after moaning about living in "Stalingrad" and realizing I wouldn't give in consented to grilled cheese sandwiches and sweetened yogurt. And they ate a decent dinner. Small steps! Thanks for the advice. I told them that they need to help me make a list of what they want from the grocery store tomorrow that is reasonably nutritious. Yes, they have messed up eating habits, and yes, they really cliaim to eat junk to "relieve stress." One said to me the other day, "Haven't you ever heard of emotional eating?" -- don't know where he learned that -- at least he gets point for self awareness! Anyway, I appreciate your tips.

There's your problem. "Usual" stop at 7-11?

How did this even start? How far back does this go?

It will take some time to turn this around, but you're on your way. The key will be consistency.

PP had her V-8 moment after OP did. Thank you Captain Obvious. We now return you to your regular programming, already in progress.

I think OP's figured it out and is on the right track PP.

Anonymous wrote:Update: Today I refused to stop for the usual sugary drink and snack at 7/11 after school. The boys refused to eat anything when we got home (having skipped lunch and eaten half a frosted poptart each for breakfast), but after moaning about living in "Stalingrad" and realizing I wouldn't give in consented to grilled cheese sandwiches and sweetened yogurt. And they ate a decent dinner. Small steps! Thanks for the advice. I told them that they need to help me make a list of what they want from the grocery store tomorrow that is reasonably nutritious. Yes, they have messed up eating habits, and yes, they really cliaim to eat junk to "relieve stress." One said to me the other day, "Haven't you ever heard of emotional eating?" -- don't know where he learned that -- at least he gets point for self awareness! Anyway, I appreciate your tips.

There's your problem. "Usual" stop at 7-11?

How did this even start? How far back does this go?

It will take some time to turn this around, but you're on your way. The key will be consistency.

Anonymous wrote:OP, after the snack of grilled cheese and sweetened yogurt, what did they eat for dinner?

Veggie lasagna, green salad with pears and walnuts, italian bread dipped in olive oil. They ate more than they usually do, since they couldn't fill up on ice cream and chips beforehand. I did let them have oreos after dinner. My feeling is that they can choose to have desserts if they have eaten decent meals. Thanks for the link, PP!

Good for you OP!

BTW, to help them pick "healthy" choices, I really like this site:
http://www.foodfacts.com/productsnutritionalinformation

It gives you a grade (A to F) to help determine how healthy a food is. Aim for mostly B's. More than likely you can find a decent tasting alternative to the junky snacks they've gotten used to.

OP, after the snack of grilled cheese and sweetened yogurt, what did they eat for dinner?

Had the 7-11 argument with my son after practice today. Decided last week that 7-11 stops to reward good effort had to stop. He came home and drank 3 glasses of milk and had 2 reasonably healthy sandwiches, then ate a good dinner. It can be hard to say no, but it won't kill them.

Update: Today I refused to stop for the usual sugary drink and snack at 7/11 after school. The boys refused to eat anything when we got home (having skipped lunch and eaten half a frosted poptart each for breakfast), but after moaning about living in "Stalingrad" and realizing I wouldn't give in consented to grilled cheese sandwiches and sweetened yogurt. And they ate a decent dinner. Small steps! Thanks for the advice. I told them that they need to help me make a list of what they want from the grocery store tomorrow that is reasonably nutritious. Yes, they have messed up eating habits, and yes, they really cliaim to eat junk to "relieve stress." One said to me the other day, "Haven't you ever heard of emotional eating?" -- don't know where he learned that -- at least he gets point for self awareness! Anyway, I appreciate your tips.

Do they weigh 10 pounds? Because it sounds like they don't eat at all.

Is it anorexia? It sounds like they have a pretty messed up eating habits.

OP - is this a new problem or been going on for a while? Also, how big/tall are they and has growth been on track? I find it odd that teenage boys are eating ice cream/cookies after school and maybe pizza for dinner and nothing else. Normally growing teenage boys need a ton of calories. I have a feeling they are eating at school; it may not be "lunch" per se but most schools have all sorts of junk available (chips/cookies etc.) that can be purchased even if you don't get the entree/veggie combo.

As for what to do at home - you're right that you can't cut out junk altogether, but you can control it. I know moms of teenage boys who buy a certain amount of junk food in one week -- 2 boxes of cookies, 2 bags of chips etc. -- whatever they deem to be appropriate for the family. The deal is they are adults and can eat however much they want but once it's gone, it's gone and you're not going shopping again for a week. So if they want to scarf down a whole row of Oreos each, they will be done that box by Tuesday. For the rest of the week, keep snacks like string cheese, granola bars, yogurt, PBJ/sandwich fixings etc. If they want to eat after school, they will be forced to pick one of these things. After a long time of unhealthy eating you can't just expect them to be ok with apples and bananas - but I would think that if they have no choice, they will grab a string cheese, make a sandwich etc.

For dinner - if they are not cooking, they don't get a say; just don't order pizza/takeout. Either they eat what you cook or they can make another sandwich/PBJ etc. What do you think they'd say if you did that? Are they the types who will stomp around throwing a tantrum?

If you have health concerns (and you should - even if they aren't fat, their vitamins/minerals could be out of whack), I'd schedule a physical for each boy. You can speak to the dr. in advance about having huge concerns about eating habits, as I don't think teenage boys will want mom in the room with them. Let the dr. go over blood work, ask what they eat and have that discussion. Even if everything is fine, sometimes people do get embarassed getting grilled by a dr about these things and that can have a (mild) effect on behavior so that they don't have to have that convo again in 6 months-1 yr.

When did this issue arise? If you've had a normal family meals routine for a decade or more, how did this happen?

Non-perishable snacks for the car:

-jerky for the non-vegetarian
-dried fruit
-granola

You'll need to figure out an acceptable brand that's relatively healthy. I like this site: http://www.foodfacts.com/

-packages of crackers and individual size Jiff PB (seen them at Safeway) or Justin nutbutters

I'm partial to Food Should Taste Good chips. Giant carries them and you can get the multi-grain in individual packets.

I like Cliff Z Bars (Trader Joe's or Target)
http://www.clifbar.com/food/products_clif_kid_zbar/

Since your boys are older than mine, maybe regular cliff bars. Slip one in each backpack in the morning?

I would try a cooking class for them and maybe you at the same time:
http://classykidscook.com/washington-dc/classes.html

http://www.lacademie.com/programs/recreational/Class-Listing/?catid=164

http://www.lebanesetaverna.com/lebanese-cuisine-classes-md-dc-va.html

Actually, OP, I think you're a complete troll because I never met a teen boy who said they needed junk food to relieve the stress of school...and I have been a high school teacher for 15 years.

But let's fake it for a second and pretend you have a real problem. The answer is incredibly simple. You stock the food you want to feed your family. If your boys don't like it, they can get a job and pay for their own junk food. They absolutely won't starve Chipotle Mom, oops, I mean OP.

Stop being a pushover.