I have the same problem. One of my teens actually told me our pediatrician at a well check that we had no food at the house and they often went to bed hungry which triggered a bigger conversation with all of us and soon the doctor realized my kid was being ridiculous. So the dr told my kid "well the only thing to do is to go to the grocery store with your mother and show her what you want to eat so you don't go hungry."

I take my kids to the grocery store, I have a ongoing list on the kitchen wall of food to buy, I allow them to add items in instacart, I am willing to buy the snack and junk food even though I lean ingredients household, but it's some sort of game to them. So now I don't play it. I ask them what they want for meals or from the store, they say something dumb like "food" or "something good". I ask for specifics and they reply "I don't know". So I remind them, not picking/ choosing not to decide is a choice. So you are choosing not to select items you want. So if you make that choice, you have no right to complain and I won't entertain it.

And I stick to that. I ignore them. I say oh well. They still dig in their heels but I have stopped caring. Anytime they want to suggest a recipe or meal or food item, I am always open to buying it, or making it. But no complaints.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I hear that from my teen, it usually means "there's no food that is ready for me to pick up and eat that I'm interested in eating right now." Which usually means he's not actually hungry, he's looking to eat out of boredom - i.e. looking for chips or cookies (which we may have, but not the specify variety that he wants at that particular moment). Nothing looks appetizing to him because he's not really hungry, just bored. When he's actually hungry, he's perfectly willing to heat up the leftovers in the fridge or make a sandwich, or even pop a frozen pizza in the toaster oven.

+1
My teens always want something that is ready to eat. Like a snack where they can open the package and pop in their mouth. I don't like getting too much processed food so now my teens say "We are an ingredient household" ! it's a thing apparently and they showed me memes and reels on social media about this.

Same. My kids say this when we are out of frozen nuggets, chips, cookies. But whatever. They can complain. No one needs to eat processed snack foods daily, day in and out. I buy some weekly or biweekly, but when it’s out, they can figure it out until I shop again. We still have plenty of food to make up quick snacks and small meals that take under 5 min. They need to learn to do this and not rely on bagged snack food and frozen whatever whenever they are hungry.

Anonymous wrote:You’re only allowed to complain about something once. So I’d just say “that’s one.” when she said it the first time. Say it again? Go to your room. Any time she says it again she gets sent to her room.

lol! Do you really send kids to their room? I’m chuckling at the idea of it. That’s very old fashion of you, but who am I to judge!

Anonymous wrote:When I hear that from my teen, it usually means "there's no food that is ready for me to pick up and eat that I'm interested in eating right now." Which usually means he's not actually hungry, he's looking to eat out of boredom - i.e. looking for chips or cookies (which we may have, but not the specify variety that he wants at that particular moment). Nothing looks appetizing to him because he's not really hungry, just bored. When he's actually hungry, he's perfectly willing to heat up the leftovers in the fridge or make a sandwich, or even pop a frozen pizza in the toaster oven.

+1
My teens always want something that is ready to eat. Like a snack where they can open the package and pop in their mouth. I don't like getting too much processed food so now my teens say "We are an ingredient household" ! it's a thing apparently and they showed me memes and reels on social media about this.

Oh, I thought this was my 14 year old son posting. Full fridge. “Nothing to eat!” And he does actually cook! Guess the options just weren’t pleasing to him.

Anonymous wrote:I feel you. Last night I made chicken Caesar salad for dinner and my teenager asked why we aren’t having a real meal.

A salad, even a chicken Caesar one, is a meal for middle aged women who want to keep their weight in check, or for teen girls who are worried about getting fat. It is not a meal for a growing kid unless you it's basically chicken with a side of Caesar and a carb.

It seems like you want your kids to eat the same glp-1 fueled 1000 calorie/day diet you choose to live on.

Just buy some normal snacks that she likes.

I would say "No food? Look again. Do you mean no easy food?"

My youngest is 24 and still resorts to yogurt or a peanut butter sandwich if he's hungry.

My husband will say "There are no snacks!" Yeah, well.. go to the store.

I find when my family says this, it is because there are no ready- made things to eat or snacks. I told them J am watching what is eat so there is fruit or water/tea if they get hungry but I am cooking only two meals a day. I told them that we are not eating junk either.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 4 adults in the family right now. I am no longer trying to make meal-times happen.

What I do is make lots of food that I like to eat - everyday. In the past few days - I have cooked Thai, Italian, Indian (North Indian) and Mexican. When the food cools down, I put it in the fridge. Family is welcome to eat it when and if they want to eat. Or they can cook themselves.

Done. They are devouring the food.

Oh, I am a-ok with folks ordering in. We pay. So we got Chinese day before.

This sounds awful. Dinner time is important

DP here. Actually, it's brilliant. I also have four adults at home now and this would allow me to be productive and not have to stop everything to make a family meal.

Yes more important to be productive than to connect with your children

These are adult children - in college, working. They want to have some autonomy about how they want to live in this shared space. I want them to be at ease and comfortable when they are home. And that means that I do not hound them anymore. This means everyone is responsibly staying warm, clean, fed, alive and being able to study, work, sleep or relax, in peace.

There is no dearth of bonding and love. Afterall, my kids still think of this home as their haven and are happily sharing this space with us.

Everyday - I clean, cook, do laundry, do dishes, take out trash, get the groceries, socialize, go for walks etc. If my kids are at home and they don't want to follow my schedule, they don't have to. My household will still continue to run smoothly to my satisfaction on my own schedule. My schedule does not change.

So, if they want to do things on their own schedule, I have no problems. They know how to manage. They are grown and responsible.

She wants her children to remain children forever. Never grow into competent adults who don't need her.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 4 adults in the family right now. I am no longer trying to make meal-times happen.

What I do is make lots of food that I like to eat - everyday. In the past few days - I have cooked Thai, Italian, Indian (North Indian) and Mexican. When the food cools down, I put it in the fridge. Family is welcome to eat it when and if they want to eat. Or they can cook themselves.

Done. They are devouring the food.

Oh, I am a-ok with folks ordering in. We pay. So we got Chinese day before.

This sounds awful. Dinner time is important

DP here. Actually, it's brilliant. I also have four adults at home now and this would allow me to be productive and not have to stop everything to make a family meal.

Yes more important to be productive than to connect with your children

Are you always this dramatic?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 4 adults in the family right now. I am no longer trying to make meal-times happen.

What I do is make lots of food that I like to eat - everyday. In the past few days - I have cooked Thai, Italian, Indian (North Indian) and Mexican. When the food cools down, I put it in the fridge. Family is welcome to eat it when and if they want to eat. Or they can cook themselves.

Done. They are devouring the food.

Oh, I am a-ok with folks ordering in. We pay. So we got Chinese day before.

You had food delivered day before yesterday? When everything was covered in ice?

No, no. It was yesterday. Sorry, I just translated from my native language to English. The word for yesterday in my language is 'day before'.

Anonymous wrote:It’s all I hear, especially with this snow storm we’ve been having. It’s what DD (15) is constantly saying, sun up to sundown! “No food in this house!” “No food in this house!” “No food in this house!” It’s honestly driving me bonkers. We have A LOT of food, honestly too much. And still. All the time. “No food!” “No food!” “No food!”

Aaaaahhh. Sorry I had to vent. And ask for advice. Anyone else having this issue? And if so, how are you resolving it?

I realized this is a sign of boredom and I tell my kids to go outside.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 4 adults in the family right now. I am no longer trying to make meal-times happen.

What I do is make lots of food that I like to eat - everyday. In the past few days - I have cooked Thai, Italian, Indian (North Indian) and Mexican. When the food cools down, I put it in the fridge. Family is welcome to eat it when and if they want to eat. Or they can cook themselves.

Done. They are devouring the food.

Oh, I am a-ok with folks ordering in. We pay. So we got Chinese day before.

This sounds awful. Dinner time is important

DP here. Actually, it's brilliant. I also have four adults at home now and this would allow me to be productive and not have to stop everything to make a family meal.

Yes more important to be productive than to connect with your children