Finding the Right Balance

It has taken a little while, but I think our whole family has settled into a new and healthier “normal for us” eating pattern. We eat super healthy Mon - Fri afternoon. Then we eat out/allow treats Fri night - Sun night.  

During the week, we stick with whole grains, protein, fruit, veggies, reduced fat dairy, and nuts for all meals. Or as we call it “foods that make us feel full.”

We also make sure all of our carb rich foods have at least half as much protein in them. If a cereal bar has 10 grams of carbs, it has to have 5 grams of protein. This is an awesome little trick to use when grocery shopping!

Then on weekends I take a break from cooking and we eat out for most lunches and dinners. We usually continue to make healthy choices like fruit instead of fries, but if we really want an ice cream cone (or fries, candy, a snow cone, etc.) we go ahead and have it.

I’m totally in love with this schedule!

During the week, I look forward to taking the weekend off from cooking. I’m naturally spontaneous and having weekends free balances that restricted feeling that comes with healthy eating. Weekends off also allows us to eat something more than a salad when out with friends. Plus, since I grocery shop on weekends I can swing by grab a bite to eat and head to the grocery store. So I never shop hungry and can make rational, healthy food choices.

It’s also nice being able to tell the kids that we don’t eat chips on Monday, but wait until Friday night and you can some if you still want them. It keeps unhealthy food from being an all day every day thing.

The only thing I need to warn you about is guiding your kids and yourself back into Monday-mode takes some willpower. You may even get some tears (gracious, try to control yourself!), but overall this plan just makes sense to me as a good balance for our family.

Note: Weekends off doesn’t mean we allow ourselves to eat all the donuts we want/can. It means if we want a donut, we have ONE really good one. We still embrace our healthy eating lifestyle, but allow a few treats. Don’t go all carb-loading on me!