cutting out processed foods

[Honey693]

I need to start cutting processed foods from my family's diet. I looked in the pantry today and realised how ridiculous it's gotten. I'm ok with things like store bought bread and pasta, but I'm at the point where I'm buying noodle packets (DH loves them) and pudding cups . We're going to have to use what's in the pantry b/c I can't afford to just purge it and start from scratch. Anyone have any ideas how to slowly wean my family off them?

[Magelet]

I don't think weaning is possible. Just don't buy anymore. Normally I'd recomend to throw them all out as well, but if you can't afford it, at the least, don't buy any more, and set a date by which you won't have any left.

[cristeen]

It depends on what you mean by weaning... If you're buying pudding cups and neon yogurt, those are both pretty easy to make from scratch and portion into reusable containers. Noodle packets not so much. I'm w Magelet though, if you cant afford to purge, then id just start buying better and use up whatyou have asap.

[Sol_y_Paz]

I would just not buy replacements given your requirements.

[Honey693]

Does anyone have any ideas with what to replace packaged foods with? The noodle packs are so easy since they're preseasoned, pudding cups are easy b/c they don't go bad, etc. I'm due in 1.5 weeks so easy and fast is going to be a big requirement soon.

[la mamita]

try cooking food that can be used in big batches (like a huge batch of burritos, lasagna, soup, etc) and frozen in individual portions and reheated. homemade fast food

[SubliminalDarkness]

I cook double portions of what we eat and save extras in the freezer. Some things I freeze as full meal portions, some things I freeze in individual portions. I made a big batch, 24, of burritos and froze those individually. Those are nice for quick lunches.

Pudding, same thing... if you must eat pudding(which I don't think is necessary, they're quite unhealthy, but regardless) make a bigger batch. Pudding cups don't go bad because they're pretty much all artificial.

Noodle packs.... Make a big thing of flavored noodles and freeze.

I agree that to "wean" you just need to stop buying. Or, stop buying the things you find are easily replaced.

[CherryBomb]

Oh, I feel you. I've fallen into a bad habit of buying processed foods because I'm hugely pregnant and too tired to cook everything from scratch like I normally do. Dd1 was seriously shocked that I bought pop tarts the other day. Sigh.

[madskye]

How unprocessed do you want to get? I don't make my own noodles. (actually, once a year I make these thick awesome noodles that go in chicken soup, but that's a special occasion.) When DD was 2-3 though, she loved the thin egg noodles. They cook in a minute (much like ramen) and then I just seasoned them myself with a little butter and salt. Not a healthy healthy thing, but a quick and easy thing for her to eat and I knew what was in it at least, you know, no msg, etc.

I am careful with DD's sugar intake and I still buy pudding cups occasionally. But they are a TREAT and not something that we have every day, you know?

She really likes it if I give her plain greek yogurt and let her mix a little strawberry jam or maple syrup into it.

I wouldn't even think of it as weaning--just explore some new, healthier options and stop buying the junky stuff regularly or at all.

I also will tell DD that somethings are just not healthy. That we might eat it every once in a while in a pinch, but it's better to eat healthy food every day and she seems to understand that.