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Originally Posted by Blue Sky  My husband is a vegetarian for personal reasons. I don't have a real problem with his choice other than it means I have to cook two meals for dinner sometimes. I try to include a nice variety of things for him to eat.
My problem is mainly what he eats when I'm not doing the cooking. He lacks a source of lean meat and basically fills up on carbohydrates. He eats bread all the time, and since he's hungry again a short time later, he eats more bread. Of course, it's never plain bread. He includes a lot of mayo and cheese. |
I'm a vegetarian. And I did what he was doing for a long time, too. It doesn't mean vegetarianism is bad. It means I ate crap, plain and simple. In your situation, he probably won't like being told he's eating crap though. LOL
I sense there is some tension going on concerning food in your home. Perhaps this is why he's grabbing for junky premade foods or not wanting to think about what he is eating? Can you approach him & communicate about the food available? Some men simply don't know how to cook, and if he's hungry he may feel like cheese on white bread is easier than having to stress you out over making in a special dish.
Idea: get some vegetarian cookbooks and have him pick a few dishes he think he'd like. Make a larger portion than usual and put the rest in tupperware for him to microwave later.
It shouldn't matter that he's vegetarian, but it does seem to matter to you (or else you wouldn't bring it up). Can you be subconsciously annoyed about it, and he's picking up on these bad vibes? And now he's afraid to ask for a healthy snack?
It also sounds like he wants a complete meal, but without the experience of being meat-free, maybe what you're able to cook right now isn't satisfying. It's understandable. And if he's new to being meat-free, maybe HE hasn't figued out yet how to avoid the SAD and still eat right? (It took me a long time to figure out good dishes because the world is so meat-centric)
I have a suggestion but it requires work on your part: make a few dinners a week without meat. This removes the burden of preparing extra food, and it gives you a real
understanding of his point of view. Meat-free food can be very satisfying and delicious.
For example: my meat-eating friends don't like much soy. But I found a mushroom-like product called Quorn they actually ask for seconds on! Last night I started with a hot sauce pan and olive oil. I added diced garlic plus purple & white onions and started them cooking. Then I added chopped up broccoli. Then I added the Quorn 'meat'-balls and some veg 'italian sausage' for myself. When it starts to brown, add meatless spaghetti sauce & let simmer. Serve on a little bit of ziti. I had a bunch of friends (all meat-eaters) share it with me, and I had no leftovers.
Another example: some of the better restaurants offer meat-free sandwiches in their lunch menu. I had a wonderful (and filling!) one over the weekend: lettuce, tomato, avacado, roasted peppers, and smoked mozzarella on a quality (not white) bread. I was so full I ate only half, and I was not hungry later.
For some menu ideas just google "vegetarian recipes" and you'll find many choices. Why not get the whole family trying new foods? I love hummus, eggplant, tahini, falafel, fruit dishes, indian foods, soups (bean, potato, veg, cream of broccoli, etc), and stir fry... mmm!
Next suggestion: STOP buying white bread, mayo, chips, and the other junky foods he's been scarfing down. He can't eat it if it's not there. White bread just turns to sugar in your body anyway, your family is better off without it. Does he like nuts? Offer him nuts or peanuts to snack on in between meals.
Next suggestion: if the bigger picture is his weight gain, why not get him involved in being more active? Can you encourage him to take up a sport? Even something like golf can be good exercise if he's walking instead of using a golf cart. Or can both of you take an evening walk together for some together time & exercise? (And increased activity may also help him with his big appetite, too)
Do you feel like lately he's not be taking care of himself the way he used to? Is he not as attentive to you? The reason why I ask: I'm wondering if he's also not under stress and/or depressed, since this is often a cause of comfort eating? Men sometimes aren't as in touch with their feelings or have problems talking about them.
And when he's ready, encourage him to come here or to some of the other online vegetarian / diet forums. There is a lot of good information out there. He can eat food that makes him feel good AND still be eating right.
Good luck to both of you!