Dinner tips for those with families?

I am married and have a toddler (okay so my three year old eats like one bite of a peanut butter sandwich and a banana and then runs around the house for 4 hours so she doesn't count) and I don't know what to cook post post post surgery when I am eating normal foods for dinner. I look through the "What is everyone eating today?" posts and a lot of the dinner ones just aren't realistic for families. What are your best dinner ideas during maintenance phase (I'm thinking ahead) or do you just eat alone?

We usually make some sort of meat, veggie and starch or fruit. I skip the starch. Easy!

I have 3 boys, 9, 4, and 2. I agree with the above! Even if it's some kind of casserole ish thing I can pick the meat out assuming it's not a really sugary or fatty sauce or what not. And honestly my kids don't need to eat anything sugary or fatty either so there's not usually a problem. The kids love all types of protein including salmon (or other types of fish) and seafood, etc. Stir fry is a good one, too, when you don't want the run of the mill separate meat/veg/starch combo. I make tostadas a lot too and I just skip the tostada shell for myself. Spaghetti and meatballs without the noodles for myself (I would like to try zoodles though...). I know I have only been at this a month if you don't count the preop diet but I haven't found it too difficult myself and the dishes I can't fit into my diet in any way shape or form are ones that were never really good for anyone to begin with.

Just make sure you have a meat and vegetables and you are set. I will make my husband and  boys a starch but I won't eat that. They can order pizza when I have to work late. 

Good luck

Bring the whole family on board eating for health and wellness.  You'll just eat a smaller portion.

Oh everyone in my house eats what I make. If they don't like it tough. I have young adult teenagers so it is different. I would have your three year old eat what you eat. You can add a starch if you want. I had my kids help with menu planning to. 

 I would totally keep giving your three year old fruit and other healthy foods. I have a friend who's child will only eat hot dogs, chicken fingers and macaroni and cheese. The kid is now 24 and obese. 

Good eating habits start at a young age. 

I basically cook the same thing for my family and myself. If I make spaghetti for them I just eat the meatballs and sauce without pasta. I usually make a non starchy vegetable for me and make some sort of starch for them that I don't eat. We eat lots of protein:ribeyes,pork loin,fish of all types and lots of shrimp. I wish I had had my surgery when my sons were young as they are both grown and have weight problems too. My youngest just graduated from college and has been home two weeks. He's lost weight since he's been home too!

My kids (stepkids actually) are 17 and 22, so it doesn't exactly apply... but I always eat with my husband. Everyone generally eats the same thing, which is whatever healthy protein I am having.  I will have a little of the vegetable as well.  Anything else that is made - a starch, or pasta, etc. - I just skip.  

Crock pots are great for making pot roasts, chicken, or other foods that are nice and moist for you and also healthy for all.  check out Bariatricfoodie.com and theworldaccordingtoeggface.com for recipe ideas that everyone will love.  

Good luck!

I find that paleo recipes are really WLS-friendly.  I still cook rice or pasta for my family, but I just eat the meat and veg.  Casseroles aren't very feasible anymore.  

This has worked well for my family :) And, really, the things that are unhealthy for me are unhealthy for everyone else in the house as well :P

Another trick to is cook and freeze WLS friendly food that you like to eat.  Then when you are doing a quick and dirty meal for the little one and hubby is having leftovers or pizza or whatever, YOU have an immediate go to meal that requires no more effort than a minute in the microwave.  This has saved me countless times from sweating this issue.  I make child, ricotta bake, Indian lentil Dahal, etc. and I freeze it inside silicone muffin trays.  Then I pop out the frozen meals into a ziplock bag and grab one when needed.  Shelly's website has tons of great ideas and fun things to make that your toddler will love too.  Good luck - it gets easier I promise!