To ask for a bit of advice/inspiration on eating better?

[Sennensurferkid]

Ok so my family are eating too much rubbish, I see this and want to eat better. I know what to do, but am stuck in a rut.

I've got 2 dc, I work, my husband works very long hours, I'm tired ALL the time. My youngest (toddler) is sooo demanding and never gives me a moments peace, my eldest is fussy and would rather steal biscuits, bread, crackers when I'm not looking then not eat dinner.

I hate cooking, not because I really hate it, but because it feels like every time I try to prepare a meal the toddler has a toilet accident or hurts himself or screams and demands my attention, or they're fighting over the television, my eldest moans and refuses to eat it, my husband moans that he's still hungry and half of it ends up on the floor. I feel like crying and wonder why I bothered.

I do still cook, I do a Sunday roast with plenty of veg, I do a few dishes that everyone will eat, but half the time we are living on rubbish too.

I need to get more veg into the kids and haven't got the time to stand blending soups and sauces that they won't eat anyway (believe me I've tried).

I know it's not rocket science, I know how to knock up a quick pasta sauce and chop up some carrot and cucumber on the side. I know I shouldn't pick up the multi bag of crisps or whatever. I just need the motivation to make sure we are eating better every day.

You sound like me! I work split shifts 07.30-18.30 so just race round constantly. 4 kids, husband FT, but helpful.

I decided to try better once a week.....then twice a week etc. Now we do well “most” of the time and that’s absolutely good enough as a balance. Odd treats, odd slips and I give myself a break over those. We’re enjoying the new system and it seems to be working because it wasn’t a sudden shock.

Meal planning is the way to go. Sit down at the weekend, work out a week's worth of meals and make a shopping list. Stick to the list when you shop, if there is no crap in the house people can't chose crap over dinner. Is there a day when you could make a couple of dishes to freeze so a few nights' dinners are sorted? I find a roast chicken and mash and veg is actually an easy weekday dinner. An easy pasta dish with salad takes care of another night. Add some garlic bread if people moan about the salad. When I was out of the house long hours I loved my slow cooker. I would prep the night before and put the pot in the fridge. In the morning I would just put the pot in the slow cooker, switch it on and come home to dinner. Stir fries are quick and healthy as you can add loads of veg (just buy the bags of stir fry veg from the supermarket). Good luck!

It's hard isn't it especially when you're in bad habits. I know time sounds like an excuse, but I really am time short a lot of the time, I'm up early anyway, race to work, race home again to pick up dc, race around picking up from the morning, race to eat, race to whatever after school activity is on or do homework/spellings clear up after dinner, bedtime, then get clothes and lunches ready for next day (I know it's the same for everyone).

Weekends we've been renovating the downstairs of our house so that hasn't helped.