No matter what your parents fed you, you can take control over what you eat as an adult. The portions may have gotten larger as you grew older and spent more calories during exercise, etc. If you had vegetables and fruits, you’ve got a good start that some others haven’t had. Also, eat until you’re almost full; not totally full.
My parents fed us fairly well. We weren’t allowed much junk food in the house and no soda except holidays or birthdays. McDonald’s was a huge treat. My dad had a vegetable garden for most of my childhood. My mom was a good cook and served vegetables at every dinner which was most often made from scratch. We had fresh broccoli, beans and carrots often. BUT on the negative side we were served fish sticks, which is like the 70’s version of chicken nuggets. We had many frozen and canned vegetables (peas, corn, carrots, spinach, creamed spinach, beets), of which, I mostly refused to eat except the first three. There was jello, fake maple syrup, Skippy peanut butter and very little variety. I hadn’t had nearly the number of vegetables and fruits or even my children have, but that also comes from our world getting smaller due to global agriculture. My parents’ food choices were fairly balanced tilting to the side of healthier choices.
Funny thing, as a kid, I used to crave the junk. I would go to friends’ houses and chow down on Twinkies, Devil dogs and Suzy Q’s. I ate so much candy especially during the summer months. During my teens I ate tons of junk food and soda. I probably undid all the good that my parents started. I still have a sweet tooth and I still stop at McDonald’s occasionally. BUT those occasions are few and far between. My children consider it a huge treat. When we do go I get them the kids meal with apple slices (WITHOUT the caramel dipping sauce) and milk (not chocolate). I get a medium sized fries that I split between the four of us. So, it’s not as much junk and still with some healthier items.
If you look at my photos you’ll see the kids portions aren’t nearly the size of the adult portions. Most dinners I have 1/5 meat/fish/chicken, 1/5 rice/grains/potatoes, 3/5 cooked vegetables/salad. Portions play a huge part in our diets. Eat what you need and stop before you’re full. Low fat diets make us crave more fats which we’ll try to make up until we’re satisfied. Feed your craving, just remember moderation when it comes to anything— but especially the bad things. Don’t obsess over foods— whether they’re healthy or not.
If you’re living in your parents’ house, educate them on better foods and eating. There are great resources like Jamie Oliver, Michael Pollan’s, Marion Nestle and Mark Bittman’s books. Supersize Me! and Food Inc. are pretty powerful movies that can help. Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution series can probably watched online.
So, it’s never to late to start. Good luck!
