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    Unemployed dad demands his 17 and 19-year-old sons stop eating so healthy and start eating more ramen and cereal: 'I don't believe I should ask them to do that because both of those things tend to be unhealthy'

    Author image for Emmy Pratt
    Emmy Pratt • Writer and Editor
    Oct 1, 2025 11:00 AM EDT

    Many people don't learn to be healthy during their teenage years, let alone as young adults. It's a whole lot easier to eat junk food than to plan meticulous meals with the perfect amount of nutritional value, and many people never find the right balance to set themselves up for a healthy life. 

    If you have a teenager who is interested in cooking food that isn't Pop-Tarts and microwave popcorn, you're a lucky duck. Even knowing how to cook five or six different meals will help set them up for a future where they aren't buying expensive restaurant food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The best way for a kid to feel empowered to cook is to have enough healthy food at home so that they actually can cook. If you only have hot dogs and frozen corn in the fridge, your kid is not going to be able to make a southwestern salad for themself, unless they buy the ingredients from their measly after-school job paycheck.

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    • The dad in this story is never satisfied with his teenage boys. When they were eating unhealthy food, he wanted them to eat healthier. Now that they're eating healthy, he wants them to eat more cereal and ramen because it's cheaper.

    • Two men are eating pizza at a table
      via Eduardo Ramos (Unsplash+)

      Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

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    • Am I the bad guy for NOT restricting what my teens eat?

      We are a family of five. We go through a lot of food anyway, but recently, my teens (17&19m) have started cooking more and eating less junk. My middle is very health concious and eats a lot of eggs... well, we all eat a lot of eggs.
      via u/IsItTimeToLetGo-
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    • There are other examples. Since they cook a lot from scratch instead of spending money on eating out, we are often low on the basics, milk, butter, bread, eggs, etc.
      via u/IsItTimeToLetGo-
    • Person holding bread, bottled water, toilet paper, crackers, chips, and eggs
      via Mick Haupt

      Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

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    • My husband has been complaining that I need to make them eat more things like cereal and ramen...and I don't even know. I don't believe I should ask them to do that because both of those things tend to be
      via u/IsItTimeToLetGo-
    • unhealthy. My husband says I shouldn't be letting them use up all the ingredients...even though he barely cooks things that need ingredients. Mostly bread.
      via u/IsItTimeToLetGo-
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    • Here's the thing... before my middle wanted to get healthier, he had a cholesterol scare. This made him shift to healthier eating. Before the shift, my husband would complain that they'd eat too much pizza, or frozen burritos, or whatever.
      via u/IsItTimeToLetGo-
    • Grilled burrito on white ceramic plate
      via Mikey Frost

      Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

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    • I don't know what to do. I'm tired of fighting. I'm tired of working two jobs. I'm tired of him always picking out the worst in the kids instead of focusing on the positives. AITAH for NOT telling my kids to eat junk food?
      via u/IsItTimeToLetGo-
    • mbwrose Would your life be easier without your husband?
      via u/mbwrose
    • ThisWeekInTheRegency Have to say, this was my first thought.
      via u/ThisWeekInTheRegency
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    • LeatherChaise NTA. Is anybody eating fruit or vegetables around there?
      via u/LeatherChaise
    • CulturedClub Thats good. He'll get his own "cholesterol scare" sooner.
      via u/CulturedClub
    • notpostingmyrealname Sounds like hubby should consider helping more with the shopping to ensure there are adequate quantities of the ingredients that keep running low. At their ages, the kids should eat whatever they want, and it's good they're in the habit of preparing actual food and not ultra processed stuff. ΝΤΑ
      via u/notpostingmyrealname
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    • Majestic_Biscotti837 im going to say you are NTA but your husband is. the kids that cook are learning a priceless life skill that will help them the rest of their lives, AND its healthy eating?? thats amazing they took that initiative, it took me until i was 23 to do anything well in the kitchen and its still a struggle. they are one step closer to being able to be healthy independent adults and that should be the goal of any parent!
      via u/Majestic_Biscotti837
    • i fully could be projecting so do take this with a grain of salt. your husband sounds like my dad growing up, always finding something to complain/ criticize the kids about. the comments especially around the food makes me concerned. im still in therapy and recovering from disordered eating bc of constant complaints ab what i ate and generally criticizing everything i did. we do not talk now lol seems like it could be the case with your kids too
      via u/Majestic_Biscotti837
    • IsltTimeToLetGo- OP You actually kind of nailed it. The hubs is always focused on the negative and rarely the positive. I keep telling him that he is going to negatively affect his relationship with them but he just doesn't listen sometimes. I known he doesn't do it on purpose, and he does try to shift his attitude, but I'm just a bit fed up.
      via u/IsItTimeToLetGo-
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    • IsltTimeToLetGo- OP A little context. Hubs got laid off two months ago. He does a lot around the house. I am working two jobs, soon to be three. He is actively looking for work and receiving unemployment. He is constantly worried about money and I think that contributes to this a LOT.
      via u/IsItTimeToLetGo-
    • Constant_Effect_1337 So? Tell him to go on a walk and get a job and stop policing kids health eating habits. How weird. He needs help and therapy if he's struggling with this life transition the kids don't need to suffer!
      via u/Constant_Effect_1337
    • justnopethefuckout He can cut back on food before expecting your children to go without food and not getting enough nutrients. Parents go without before their kids. You shouldn't be working 3 jobs. If you can work 2, then he can work 2 until finding a better paying job. He needs to be proud that your children are trying to eat healthy and cook.
      via u/justnopethefuckout
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    • cachalker So first he complained they weren't eating healthy enough. And now he's complaining they eat too healthy? Yeah, he just looks for something to complain about. What do you do? You send the adult teen or the 17 year old for a mid week grocery run to replenish the basics. But you're NTA for supporting healthier eating habits.
      via u/cachalker
    • Pleasant-Koala 147 NTA, but it sounds like your family is under financial stress partially due to food costs, which is a valid concern even if your husband isn't going about this constructively. Sit down with your husband and talk about the concerns. Make it clear you won't be making the kids do anything and he needs to focus on constructive responses where he is taking responsibility as a parent, not just bothering you to pass on his messages. You might also need to talk to
      via u/Pleasant-Koala147
    • your 17 and 19 year olds. They're old enough to start learning about the realities of the world, like cost of food. Is there anything they can do to help the situation? Right now, it's all on you to solve this problem, but you have a husband and two adult- adjacent children that should/could be taking some of this burden.
      via u/Pleasant-Koala147
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    • IsltTimeToLetGo- OP The kids got grants for school and my middle gets money from his dad. They contribute a lot financially aside from being the ones that keep the kitchen and living room clean every day. They are amazing!
      via u/IsItTimeToLetGo-
    • Adelucas I'm sorry but on what planet is cereal and ramen a better alternative than fresh cooked food? Hubby needs to step up and work more if you are working two jobs and he's complaining about the food budget. FYI to hubby, teens have an insatiable appetite due to growing. From the ages of around 12 to 18 my sister and I were food pits. Mom would take us to an all you can eat buffet and stand back and watch the carnage. We were both skinny, but growing. Maybe some changes are needed in your ho
      via u/Adelucas

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    parents of teens teens family drama healthy food teenager mother teenagers sons bad parenting parenting raising teens dad family food mom son Father
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