Last month Glenn came home from work and told me about what he's heard on NPR earlier that day. Author Michael Pollan had been on Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me. I hadn't heard of Pollan or his books, but what Glenn heard peaked my interest and now I'd really like to read The Omnivore's Dilemma and In Defense of Food. Actually, friends have told me they are very similar.
It's not that we ate horribly before, but if there's one thing I'm thankful for over this food journey with Bubby, it's that we are more aware of what we eat. We now eat a predominantly whole foods diet. We sort of have to, but I'm not sure we'd want to go back even if we could.
Like I said, we didn't eat a terrible diet before, but we just weren't aware. The classic example I give is when Glenn went out and bought a different brand of tomato paste than we usually use. He didn't look at the label and when I looked (after dumping it in our homemade pasta sauce of course!) I noticed the can said "Contains wheat, dairy, and soy."
What??!?!
Shouldn't it contain, I don't know, tomatoes and, um, paste?
All silliness aside, we didn't really pay attention to the extra stuff in our food. At first I'd get upset because Glenn didn't read labels as closely as I did. Then he started noticing. "This has soybean oil in it? Why?" Soy is a sneaky one. Check your pantry and I'm sure you'll find it places you didn't think you would.
We are devout label readers now. We have to be. At least we don't have to read as many labels since our shopping cart is primarily full of fresh foods. But I like that we're more aware of what we are putting in our bodies and that we are, in turn, teaching our children to be more aware as well. Beanie eats pretty darn well as is. She's never had a soda. We don't drink juice. She knows that McDonalds is a place "some people" go to eat. I was amazed when she told my dad that we had to take the jam back (Glenn had purchased the one on sale without double checking the label) because it had "stuff in it that isn't good for people," namely high fructose corn syrup and corn syrup. Really, both. And sugar. Bleh.
We're far from perfect. I don't claim to be. Beanie's favorite quick breakfast is an Eggo waffle (I'm thinking I should just make a big batch of waffles and freeze them? Or atleast starting to buy frozen waffles with an ingredient list that is a bit shorter). Until I watched Food Revolution I could down a whole box of Mike & Ike's in one sitting. But, we're making progress. We're getting there.
It's Friday and I'm off to catch up on Food Revolution. Love that show!
I am reading An Omnivore's Dilemma now. WOW. I became familiar with Michael Pollan after seeing him in Food, Inc. (HIGHLY RECOMMEND) I eat mostly whole foods since I follow a low-carb/Paleo-type diet but, I hate to admit this, I can be a push over when it comes to the kids and the things they want to eat. I am really cracking down on what I allow them though. We do eat fast food on occasion, I don't have a problem with treats now and then. I just want to make sure we are eating more good and healthy than bad and garbage.
ReplyDeleteI REALLY want to watch Food, Inc.
ReplyDeleteWe eat treats, too, although not as often as we used to. It's easier for me to make treats at home, so at least we know what all is in them. I love ME some treats. Just not Mike & Ike's anymore ;)
I'm actually less strict about the sugary sodas and candy for Moira then I am for me. I figure her little system is set up to handle the extra sugars and fats better then mine is, and I don't like telling her she can't have a soda if I'm having one too. We just don't keep that stuff in the house anymore, and I try to find the candies and sodas that have fewer ingredients for when we do indulge.
ReplyDeleteAll that being said, indulging is still pretty rare, especially with avoiding wheat and dairy for her. I mostly get her a treat when I really want one. Or when we are out with our extended family and everyone else has a non water drink.