How to break bad habits?

[AndWhat]

I’m not a bad cook but have just become very lazy. Have a fussy husband and DS1 (6) is becoming more and more fussy. Now DS2 (1) is with us I’m very conscious that our meals are pretty appalling .
Our meals are not particularly healthy or full of flavour. How do I break the bad habits and get us eating better? DS1 was gagging after putting a minuscule piece of carrot in his mouth just to show you what I’m up against!

Hi
Can you try making a meal plan for a week and stick to it?
This would help you plan the meals and you could shop to make sure you have everything you need. Also helps with reducing food wastage.
I find with a plan I can cook ahead of I need to (especially for long day at work)
Make sure you have some treats in the plan even if they are naughty. This helps it be more realistic.
Also start off with atleast one or two things the family likes to eat especially the kids.
If the kids don't like carrots try them maybe with a dip like hummus...or grated with cream cheese etc
Vegetable kebabs also help with veg intake and making it more appealing
You can even stick a few fruits on a stick.
It sounds like lot of work initially but
Over time this will hopefully help.

If you are up against lots of fussiness then serving dishes in
their component parts can be a good starting place. Things like fajitas and stir fry’s, pasta with sauce and cheese lend themselves to this.
Then look at adapting elements then like, so if they eat fishfingers, try homemade fishcakes. If they eat mash, add in a root veg mash.
If you know you are serving something new that is likely to receive a cautious reception serve with favourite accompaniments so you k ow there is something they will eat. Also if it’s a new dish take short cuts if necessary (ready chopped veg, spice mixes, canned pulses etc) somehow the blow is lessen if you have put less time into its creation! If this means trying them on ready made fish cakes (just buy good ones) then so be it!
Make stuff you will enjoy even if no one else does, again to prevent the feeling that it’s been a total waste of effort!

In many ways I am with your DS1 as regards carrots. I eat them because I was told to by my mother as a young child, but they come only just above raw celery in my book, and that is as low as you can get (braised celery I love). Carrots go down really well in our house, even with me, if we glaze them.
1.Place the carrots in a large pan and add 1 1/2 cups of water. ...
2.Cook for 8-10 minutes or until carrots are tender. ...
3.Add the butter, brown sugar and salt to the pan. ...
4.Cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until a sauce has formed.

Thanks guys, I think a general laziness has set in with family life and it’s been easier to open a pack of chicken nuggets and chips but things have to change whilst the boys are still young! Any other advice always welcome

What will they eat?.

Start with building in a couple of slow cooker meal per week, leftovers can be frozen/used for kids separately for times you don't eat together.

My DS is 5 and pretty fussy but enjoys bolognese sauce, chilli con carne, a sausage and 5 bean thing I do, chicken casserole etc for starters. Anything in tomato sauce that can be served with rice or pasta.

DH and I both love spicy curry, my DH has made up a batch of 4 mild curries for DS to eat alongside us.

Basically anything yellow Fluffy! DS1 will eat chicken nuggets, chips, fish fingers, cheese and Tom pizza.
He will eat some healthier options such as tomato pasta, jacket potato and apples and bananas
DS2 is a bit better and tries lots of foods in nursery which they say he enjoys and is young enough to explore

I feel your pain with the fussiness though it’s only one DS.

Are you willing and able time-wise to cook from scratch? First thing to try is home made versions of processed foods - so chicken / fish pieces in breadcrumbs, oven potato wedges rather than chips, home made pizza etc

Then gradually branch out from there. So home made chicken nuggets can become part of a stuff-your-own-flatbread meal, with salad, tomatoes, cheese, etc.

Bolognese sauce can be very adaptable - with pasta, in lasagne, add chilli powder and kidney beans to make chilli. So start with tomatoes sauce (home made ;-)) and progress to bolognese.

What does yr DH eat, and do you all eat together?

Do you think your eldest would eat sweet potato fries? My DD devours them and it's an easy way of getting a bit more veg in.

Would they eat egg noodles? Quick to prepare, base it around a pre-made sauce and meat they'd like. Then add in frozen veg like peas and peppers. At least if they don't eat it you know you've offered something healthy and it's not taken too much time and effort to cook.

Thanks these are really helpful. I think life has just took over and with the unwillingness to eat made me too lazy to even try.
We managed a spag bol with carrots peppers and onions hidden and Got ds1 to try sweet corn so big wins.
I think I need to try to do some bulk meal prep, and maybe try to find an easy basic recipe book if anyone knows of one?