Lifestyle changes, such as following a low-glycemic diet, don't affect just you; they affect your whole family. You may think “I don't want my family to have to make lifestyle changes just because I have to,” but that's the wrong mentality. Think of your new low-glycemic diet as a way of life that involves moderation instead.
A dietary plan that's moderate rather than strict is easier to incorporate into your family's life. In some cases, no one even notices the changes.
Case in point: As part of a new lifestyle, one mom cleaned up her countertops by getting rid of the cookies and chips that were lingering around and setting out a big bowl of fruit in their place. She said to herself, “This will never work. My kids are going to be screaming at me for the cookies.”
Instead, to her delight, her kids came home from school, picked through the fruit bowl, and didn't say a word about the lack of cookies.
Here are some tips for making your family's transition to a low-glycemic lifestyle go a little more smoothly:
Remember that moderation is key. Your family members will most certainly resist your efforts at getting them to eat healthier if you force them to follow a strict diet.
Find low-glycemic snack foods that everyone enjoys. Exchanging is always a better philosophy than eliminating, especially with kids. So instead of stockpiling cookies and potato chips, purchase yogurts, baked tortilla chips, or even popcorn and offer these lower-glycemic foods to your spouse and kids instead.
Allow high-glycemic foods once in a while, but don't keep them in the cupboards every day. This suggestion is a win-win for everyone. You won't be tempted as often to wander back to your old habits, and your family members won't miss out on their high-glycemic favorites.
This is a great strategy to put in place when you're grilling (buy some potato chips as a side) and when you're eating out (let the kids order their favorites).
Don't make a big fuss about following a low-glycemic diet. You may be excited about it, but to your family, a deluge of info about the low-glycemic diet will make them feel like they're following a diet and not just living their lives eating healthy foods. Stick to making healthy choices instead of pointing out everything in the cupboard or refrigerator that's low-glycemic.
Allow your family to have a voice and be willing to find compromises. In my experience, families adjust quite well to the eating modifications that come with a low-glycemic diet, but every family is different. Hear what your family members have to say, and when they have issues, try to find solutions that work for everyone.