Original Post by pgeorgian:

the more you bug him, the more resistant he's going to be. all you can do is clean out the cupboards and make sure there is only good food; then at least he'll have to get off his butt and walk to get junk food!

if you fill the fridge and cupboards with good stuff (even stuff he doesn't like), he might complain, but he sure won't starve.

we really try to do that but it's not really possible to get 100% because it's a full house. I would really like some specific suggestions for things we can replace his usual snacks with. one of the problems is that we buy these premade types of foods that you just heat up and serve (rice, frozen morningstar, etc) and they would be really healthy except for the fact that he'll eat 1 or 2 boxes of them in an afternoon.

I'm no expert and no doctor, but a child that age with those kinds of eating habits may exerting control over his ability to be in charge of his body (though in a negative way), something nobody else can do or make him do. 

Personally, I wish someone would come up with pedal-powered TVs and video game consoles to get this nation some incentive to move.  Do you think people would vote for American Idol if they had to pedal a bike for five minutes to send in their vote?

Maybe you can't do anything about the volume that he consumes but how about adding good things into main meals that are fat burners? Like spinach leaves - you can hide those in EVERYTHING and it only takes a few!! Celery is good too - bean sprouts (but those are obvious) - if you can look at some "free" foods and add them into main meals it will not only benefit your brother - it will benefit the entire family. Start with small changes. Don't necessarily tell him because then he might feel that his favorite foods are ruined.

I have to agree not forcing him AND educating him. "Supersize Me" was a great flick about fast food and what it does and does not do to you. Might help, might not. You can only try... I found this page with "free" foods that might be good to start - some of the foods obviously will tip him off, but some are tasteless and only have texture: (I love nopales and hearts of palm - both are just texture for me and have no taste - these extend the food so, in theory, if he eats more... he will be eating better. (yes these exchanges are for diabetics, but he can definitely benefit!)

http://www.mendosa.com/freefoods.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetes-diet/DA00076

Hey there!

I know you said he isn't willing to cook, but you did say your family is willing to help.  I am OBSESSED with this website called hungry-girl.com.  If you go to the section called "chew the right thing" she gives recipes to make generally high-fat foods into better options. 

A lot of the things include "frying" foods by blending fiber one to a powder.  For example, the chicken fingers  are awesome.  you dip the chicken in an egg substitute, then coat with the powder and bake.  It gives a really similar taste to fried foods. 

She also just came out with a cookbook which is easier because the recipes are right in front of you.  You can order it on the website or get it at pretty much any book store. 

I think the biggest thing is to ease into it.  My eating habits have been healthy for awhile now, but my dad who is very big has been starting to adapt a few of the things I do.  Here are some foods he likes (and he loves fatty foods like your brother)

1. Kettle bakes chips (usually in the organic section of food store) these taste soo good, a LOT better than baked lays, he will thing they are fried.

2. Thomas light english muffins (only 100 calories, and 8 grams of fiber to keep you full!)

3. Purdue baked chicken fingers- easier than the hungry girl recipe because they are already made (slightly less healthy though!)

4. Edys/Dryers slow churned ice cream- the BEST light ice cream, soo much healther than regular.

5. Smuckers sugar free light syrup.  if he eats pancakes and stuff, this is only 30 calories per serving vs. 100+ in regular syrup (and really good!!)

6. No Pudge fudge brownies- made with fat free yogurt.  still to this day do not understand how they taste SO FREAKING GOOD!

I hope this helps you a little!  Keep us posted if any of this works!

Get a Wii Fit and then challenge him. See who can improve the most over a set time frame, etc. Competition and video games can't be a bad combo. I love having family competitions with our Wii, doesn't matter what game it is. Boxing is hysterical because the house rule is if you win a round you have to jump up and down just like your character. :-)