If I could have a dollar every time someone said, “I grew up eating highly processed junk food, and I turned out just fine” then I would surely be rich. And another one I’ve been hearing an awful lot lately is, “Easter only happens once a year so my kids will be getting candy.” Before I dive into the dozens of facts that prove we are truly (and unfortunately) not “just fine” I must first get this holiday thing off my chest.
Yes, Easter Is Once a Year, but So Is…
- Christmas and Halloween and several other candy-filled holidays
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- Every kid’s birthday in the class
- The junky packaged snacks given to kids after soccer practice and church service
- Candy-filled party favor bags
- The “100th Day of School” celebration
- Visits from the ice cream truck
- The Box Top “cupcake party” at school
- The candy “reward” from the treasure box
- The sucker from the bank
- The frozen yogurt fundraiser for the elementary school (sorry but contrary to popular believe frozen yogurt is not “real food”)
- The piece of candy after dance class
- The visits from the in-laws bearing edible “gifts”
- The playdate at someone else’s house where Oreos are a standard snack
- The list goes on…and on…and on
My personal philosophy is that if I almost never give my children highly processed junk food they’ll somehow manage to still get plenty of it (from outside sources), and guess what…that’s been ringing true for quite some time now. I personally think one special treat a week is plenty and that’s what seems to work for us. It is a rare enough treat for it to actually feel, well, special. Seriously, if your kid eats a piece of candy after almost every meal how can it even be considered a special “treat” anymore? As I’ve said time and time again the problem is not necessarily the sweet treats themselves, but it’s the quantity in which they are consumed!
Sugar Consumption Is Out of Control
Did you know that according to a recent 60 Minutes story that “Americans are now consuming nearly 130 pounds of added sugars per person, per year?” Yikes! That’s more than a third a pound per person per day (approximately ¾ cup a day!), and I would venture to say that most people don’t even realize they are consuming this much “added sugar” because it lurks in unexpected places like beverages, salad dressings, dried fruit, condiments, yogurt, crackers and even bread. “Sugar” comes in many different forms, which means it’s listed under many different names like brown rice syrup, honey, cane juice, agave, Sucanat, corn syrup, etc. making ingredient labels tricky.
Some Scary Statistics…All Related to the Food We Eat
So how is it that we are “just fine” when:
- “Our children have the destiny of a shorter life span than their own parents…your child will live a life 10 years younger than you because of the landscape of food that we’ve built around them.” (Source: Jamie Oliver)
- “We spend our lives being paranoid about death, murder, homicide, you name it…it’s on the front page of every paper. Any doctor any specialist will tell you … diet related disease is the biggest killer in the United States right now here today.” (Source: Jamie Oliver)
- Coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke and cancer – four of the top ten chronic diseases that kill most of us – “can be traced directly to the industrialization of our food.” (Source: Michael Pollan)
- “Two-thirds [of America] is statistically overweight or obese.” (Source: Jamie Oliver)
- "[To reduce heart disease] a government commission in the 1970s mandated that we lower our fat consumption. ‘When you take the fat out of food, it tastes like cardboard,’ says Dr. Robert Lustig. ‘And the food industry knew that, so they replaced it with sugar...and guess what? Heart disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and death are skyrocketing.’” (Source: 60 Minutes / CBSNews.com)
- “Americans enjoy the cheapest food supply in the world, spending the smallest share of their income on groceries of any country.” (Source: Chicago Tribune Reporter)
- “No other nation on the planet spends as much as we do on medical care.” (Source: Robyn O’Brien)
- “People are fed by the Food Industry, which pays no attention to health, and are treated by the Health Industry, which pays no attention to food.” (Source: Wendell Berry)
- “Despite the fact that 25% of the population takes expensive statin medications and despite the fact we have reduced the fat content of our diets, more Americans will die this year of heart disease than ever before.” (Source: Dr. Dwight Lundell, Heart Surgeon)
- “I freely admit to being wrong. As a heart surgeon with 25 years experience, having performed over 5,000 open-heart surgeries today is my day to right the wrong with medical and scientific fact. …The injury and inflammation in our blood vessels is caused by the low fat diet recommended for years by mainstream medicine.” (Source: Dr. Dwight Lundell, Heart Surgeon)
If you aren’t personally overweight or don’t experience any major health problems I can understand how you might think your health and eating habits are “just fine,” but how do you expect to feel, let’s say, 10 years from now? Plus I would venture to say that today there’s not a single person reading this that doesn’t know someone with a food-related health problem like heart disease, certain types of cancer, hyperactivity (in children), asthma, diabetes, obesity, irritable bowel syndrome, high cholesterol, autoimmune disorders, and/or constipation. And the amazing thing about all of this is...as soon as you change your diet the majority of these food-related health problems are completely reversible.
I Used to Think We Were “Just Fine” as Well
I admit I thought our family was just “fine” and healthy before we cut out processed food. After all none of us have ever been overweight or had any serious medical problems. I grew up on my fair share of Doritos, Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, candy and other sweets, and while still eating highly processed food I successfully completed my first sprint triathlon. Overall I felt like a young and active mommy. And while we didn’t get on this “real food” bandwagon to solve any health issues, the events that took place soon afterward were surprising. My HDL (a.k.a. the “good” cholesterol number that should be high) went up by 50%! My younger daughter’s constipation completely disappeared and her asthma improved 10-fold. I suddenly had more energy (I used to think experiencing “afternoon slumps” was normal, but those days are long over for me). Not to mention it just made sense to know where our food comes from and to not eat from packages with ingredients we couldn’t even pronounce.
Still to this day I honestly didn’t think our eating habits were “that bad” before cutting out processed food. We were never ones to frequent McDonalds, Domino’s Pizza or the prepared frozen food aisle, and sodas only made rare appearances in our house. Apparently all the refined grains and added sugars we were consuming was making a much bigger impact than I thought.
The point is this is our wake up call, and it’s time for some serious change. Smoking cigarettes used to be viewed as harmless and now look what’s happened to that industry. I fully expect the big food companies to follow in those very same footsteps because highly processed foods are clearly causing health problems. And if we, as consumers, “vote with our dollars” then they will surely get the message.
Helen says
You are absolutely correct: WE ARE NOT JUST FINE. all the disease we have in this country is directly linked with what we are putting in our bodies. We are in an epidemic- CLEARLY. Most of our population doesnt even know how to help ourselves- we rely on our health professionals to make us better but they are lying to us and completly denying the facts regarding the state of our nutrition as a nation.
Sarah says
Lisa, Thank you so much for your blog. I have been reading it now for a couple of weeks and have tried some of your recipes and they are great. My husband and I are gradually cutting out processed foods and we are almost to a 100% feel food diet. I really appreciate this post in particular and can relate. Even as adults, my inlaws give us junk food and candy for holidays. My father-in-law recently had bypass surgery and was diagnosed with diabetes. They have changed their diet (to low fat and sugar substitutes, not real food) but they still give us junk food! It is actually really insulting to me. Thanks for being an inspiration!
Pam@behealthybehappywellness says
Love this post! Most of the people who tell me they are fine are also on medication for diabetes, blood pressure, etc. Or suffer from high cholesterol, low energy, excess weight and the like. To me, that's not FINE. It might be "normal" for Americans today, but it's not "fine."
Change is hard, but as you've seen for yourself, the benefits are so worth the effort!
100 Days of Real Food says
Pam - I couldn't agree more...dealing with chronic illnesses and loads of medications is not definitely not "fine" and not the way it has to be..
Kristen says
Oh what a GREAT post! Thank you! I struggle with this ALL the time. In my daughters kindergarten each child gets assigned a snack day. Last week one mother sent in Nacho Flavored Cheese Its for snack. Ugh!!! I also struggle with my own family. I get a lot of teasing and "you know they are going to go crazy when they grow up?" Well- I ate like crap and my brother and I are both Obese adults as are my parents. With any luck my kids will be smarter and healthier!! It is a tough journey but sooo worth it!!
100 Days of Real Food says
Kristen - I agree...worth it! Others will catch on sooner or later...
Mark says
Great summation of the whole issue.
If there is one thing that I would add, it's when people say that organic produce isn't necessary because no link has been proven between chemical herbicides/pesticides and health. My response to that is usually that those chemicals have only been around for 80 or so years which is almost nothing compared to how long humans have been farming. Plus, even if no link has been proven, I don't want myself and my kids to be the guinea pigs in the real-world experiment that proves the link.
Kate @ Modern Alternative Mama says
What about all the children with food allergies, autism, asthma, and so on? Are they "just fine?" I can't stand it when people say "My kid is just fine" but they have chronic health issues. I know it's a guilt thing, but your kid is NOT just fine. When it was my kid (and it was, 4 years ago), I didn't sit back and take it. I changed our life and now my kids really, truly are "just fine."
For Easter, much to my husband's dismay (lol), the kids got coloring books, chalk, water bottles, etc. He thinks they have too much junk (i.e. "toys") that they already don't play with. But, eh...some crappy TOYS won't kill them. :)
Luke says
Amen. Since my wife started reading your blog 5-6 months back, we also have been working hard to get on the real food diet. Things are going great. I am a 2 time cancer survivor and I believe it all stemmed from the crap I put in my body. I mean, its FDA approved it has to be ok to eat right? obviously a joke. NO MORE MAN MADE CRAP!
Food Babe says
This is so powerful! Your passion for everyone's health and wellness is so vibrant and abundant - It's like I hear your voice through my computer screen. I'd like to see someone try to make those excuses and argue with you now. Ha!
Helen says
For the first time in almost 41 years of marriage, I did not give my dh a Chocolate Bunny. Gave the grandchildren sand pails (thanks for your suggestion) and Drawing Pads. I homeschool my grandchildren, so we miss most of the school "related treats" but I have no control over what they eat at home. Ugh! Our Violin Group had started "Cupcake Parties" and I think I have convinced them to use small toys as cupcakes make such mess! Whatever works!
Genn says
I agree! Love this post!
I am fairly new to your blog and I want to say thank you! Thank you for posting such great articles, sharing such awesome and "real" recipes, and thank you for helping to spread the word about how bad processed foods are.
I've been cutting processed foods from my family's diet for the last year more seriously now and it feels so so good. I too hate that every holiday seems to revolve around candy, and now that we've cut a lot of those processed foods, I totally notice the horrific sugar high and behavior changes in my two girls when they do get to indulge in those sorts of so called treats.
I love that our dollars are our votes just like you said. I think of that every time I spend money on food for my family.
Thanks again! Love your blog.
100 Days of Real Food says
You are welcome and thank YOU for your encouragement!
erin says
Thanks for this info. It is soooo difficult to break the cycle after so many years of eating garbage. I am trying to do a little at a time go get us in the right direction. It's especially hard when you have a spouse who is not on board and continues to make terrible choices and feed them to your kids. And it's just out of habit and ignorance.
I was glad that you listed all of the "special occasions" and they really do add up. I grew up with my parents owning a small grocery store and we helped ourselves to candy whenever we felt like it. And I am seeing how much my kids get and it's alarming. Both my husband and I are overweight and on statins and sometimes I just feel like it's a losing battle.
I have given up Diet Coke and it did make a difference in my headaches and overall achy body, so that's a plus.
I keep reading for inspiration to make changes!
Marissa says
Have you read this? So disturbing. Makes me wanna cry.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/12/opinion/kristof-is-an-egg-for-breakfast-worth-this.html?_r=1&smid=FB-nytimes&WT.mc_id=OP-E-FB-SM-LIN-IAE-041212-NYT-NA&WT.mc_ev=click
Ann says
Another reason to know your farmer...I'm lucky, someone at my workplace raises eggs and sells them from the fridge in our office. $3/dozen--totally worth it.
100 Days of Real Food says
Marissa - Yet another reason to know where your food comes from!
Tiffany says
I am pregnant and I will say that my real food journey has slumped a bit due to nausea and exhaustion, but I still try to limit processed food. That being said, while most of my two year old's easter basket was filled with little toys, there was a chocolate bunny and Reese's pieces. I sent a bit of the bunny to school as a rare treat (normally he gets fruit or fruit puree in plain yogurt as his treat for lunch) and when my hubby picked him up, the teacher remarked how he had been obsessed with chocolate lately because most parents send a chocolately treat for lunch EVERYDAY. I felt guilty for the small shards of chocolate I sent...not realizing that my child was seeing his peers eat that way everyday. Made me a bit sad...even when I was growing up with processed food, my mom never sent a sweet treat to school everyday. Crazy!
wvfarm2u says
I think about all the chemicals the Baby Boomer generation has eaten, it is no surprise that we are fatter than our parents, have more cancer and diabetes than our parents and our children are doomed to more of the same.
Megan says
THANK YOU for the list of outside sources of JUNK! I have been so frustrated by this for sooooo long! (My mother in law is the worst!)
It truly is an epidemic that we can take into our own hands one person at a time. While non-food is incredibly available, there are so many more nutrient rich foods available now too! Learning how to use things like Quinoa and coconut oil can be really fun and rewarding for those learning how to change their ways! =)
Joanie says
I've been eating only "real" foods since the New Year. Your blog has helped so much, thank you. About two or three weeks into it, one morning when I woke up, I realized I not had one headache in that time, sleeping well and generally feeling great! Again, thanks for being a great resource.
Trish says
You and I could be sisters separated at birth! Love this post - it's everything I share with anyone who will listen. I'm sure all my FB friends are sick of my nutrition posts. But it kills me to see what people are feeding their children without even considering the ingredients. I sat in church Sunday and watched well meaning, loving moms give their small children "fruit" gummies made with nothing but corn syrup and artificial food coloring, M&Ms,and baggies full of mini marshmallows. I couldn't decide whether to cry or scream. Please keep doing what you're doing and, hopefully, the word on real food and nutrition will continue to spread.
Aubrey says
I LOVE this! Love love love it! I have been thinking/saying these same things for a while now and it's nice to hear it from someone else and have the refrences too to back it up. I love to 2 quotes abut food and health care. I have thought for a long time that we wouldn't even need all health insurance and all the craziness surrounding it if the food industry was focused on and fixed...or all that money was spent in educating people on what real health is.
jennifer says
I think the disconnect is that people don't realize that evolution takes time. Our life span didn't decrease and chronic disease increase overnight because we drank a few sodas. We are de-volving because we've been eating poorly for several generations. So to say 'you are fine' means you simply don't understand the history of our foods, and how even the same packaged food from a generation ago may be more 'toxic' now as you give it to your kids then it was when you ate it 1-2 decades ago.
Heather says
Amen, sister! When I first had my boys (now 3 and 5), grandparents seemed to think baby = candy / ice cream. Everyone thought I was weird for making a healthy version of pumpkin pie for my son's November birthday rather than getting the store-bought, food colored, over-frosted birthday cake that is the "norm." I certainly heard multiple times the "just fine" phrase from relatives. People were taken aback when I would refuse to let them feed ice cream to the baby or limit the amount of candy they could have as they grew. I'm usually not so adamant about things, but this is one area that I feel strongly about. That said, I do find it difficult to stick to my guns as they get older and encounter more opportunities for sugar. I found myself filling their Easter baskets with the candy I remember from childhood. It is challenging to maintain the healthy lifestyle when life gets stressful and exhausting (of course, that's when we need it most). So, I thank you for your post...it encourages me to get back to the Mom I was when they were first born!
Jessie says
I was really worried about Easter. My daughter ended up going on three Easter egg hunts between Friday and Sunday. The one at school had eggs filled with candy (we let her have a couple pieces, then tossed the rest.) The second one, the eggs were empty and they were able to trade eggs for prizes (bubbles, animals, books, etc) and we loved that! The third one, we hid actual hard-boiled eggs. My daughter loved that she was able to peel the eggs and eat them after the hunt. Why hide fake eggs anyway?
We are still working our way to a non-processed life, but it's getting better everyday. Last night we went grocery shopping and I was amazed at all the things we used to buy that I now refuse to put in my cart.
Jennifer says
Amen sister!
Brianna says
All I can add to this post is AMEN! I agree 100% with everything you said, well put.
100 Days of Real Food says
Thank you! :)
Kristi@VisibleVoice says
All I can say is AMEN. I'd like to add one to your list of "events" that when my children go to their doctor appointments she gives them one of those two tone powder sugar lollipops and the end! Um a sticker? Bouncy ball? Anything else please!
Have you seen the documentaries Food Matters and Hungry for Change? If not...I think you'd enjoy them. One of them even talks about how milk hasn't escaped sugar.
100 Days of Real Food says
We saw Food Matters, but still need to watch Hungry for Change!
Lisa says
I completely agree with everything you've said, Lisa. This is what is handed out regularly at my children's school and after school activities: gatorade (orange), cheez-it's, quaker granola bars, cupcakes, candy as a reward for bringing in homework, donuts at Easter party at school, the list goes on and on. Even though, I preach about this to my kids @ home about all of the dangers of eating food from a processing plant vs. a plant that grew in the ground, they both have a hard time not accepting something that was given to them. We agreed after soccer the other night that the Cheez-it's and granola bars would go in the trash and they could drink half of an orange gatorade. I feel like I am always trying to educate them about the dangers of all this packaged food and candy. Even though, they know all of this it is hard for them to go against what their peers are doing. At home, we eat a 90% organic, whole-foods diet and they agree that this food tastes better and they always prefer what I cook them. I won't stop trying to educate them, though, about the dangers of these foods. Thanks for sticking up for us moms who care!
Carrie says
The Gatorade has high fructose corn syrup as sweetener since Pepsi-Co bought them out :-( I'd eat the granola bar before the Gatorade.
100 Days of Real Food says
Lisa - I agree it is really tough when "everyone else is doing it" but I think more and more people are catching on...although we still do have a long way to go!
RevAllyson says
I do use some sugar in baking and such, but most of what we make at home is pretty benign (and I can pronounce all the ingredients *chuckle*). We did get the kids some crap for Easter (the edible grass was the one that will never EVER be repeated) but we don't go insane on most other holidays. We had a very healthy home-made Easter pie (savory) for lunch, and tacos for dinner (homemade). We went mostly for bubbles, small toys that would last, and a pogo stick each (we have 6 yr old boy-girl twins). Our kids have hardly stopped moving except to sleep, and it isn't from sugar high, either. *smile*
I *love* stevia, especially when I grow it myself. I love the plant - it's beautiful! Very lush looking. And it's so easy to use. I pop one fresh leaf into my tea while it's brewing, and that's enough. Dry the leaves and add a pinch to your coffee or tea, and you get the sweetness of sugar without the aftertaste or the calories. Love it. ;)
Lora Reynolds says
I was at a fitness convention taking a nutrition class and one girl asked the R.D. about Stevia and I loved her response. She said, "Why does everything have to be sweet? We can train out bodies and taste buds not to have it sweet." What a great point and reminder!
Lauren Hill says
I totally agree. I'm tired of getting dirty looks from people because I won't let my daughter have the candy at the grocery store, bank, you name it. To me it is obvious that the food we eat directly affects our health, and it is hard to deny that when we are seeing the rise in all of these health problems. Your blog inspired us to do our own 100 day challenge that we just finished, cutting out most all of the processed foods we were eating, with some exceptions. We didn't give up sugar but really tried to limit it. We feel much better than we ever have, and my 8 year old survived without candy!
Wendy says
Jamie Oliver as a source? Aside from that, I agree, we aren't "just fine", overall. My grandmother used to say she'd rather pay the grocer than the doctor. She understood that a good diet was important to health, although she was probably considering nutrient deficiencies as opposed to over-consumption of empty calories or overly processed foods.
100 Days of Real Food says
Wendy - Yes, Jamie Oliver is a very passionate - and effective - real food advocate who is helping to make some much needed changes. And sounds like your grandmother knew what she was talking about!
Jennifer says
Well said! After taking my own no-sugar pledge for Lent, I realized just how much hidden sugar I was consuming! Yes, it was annoying (at times) to forgo the flavored pita chips and dip that were available at work. Yes, it took more planning to have sweetened coffee at work if I was running short on time (I make my own creamer using half & half and real maple syrup :) ) Yes, it was amazing to lose 6.5 pounds WITHOUT TRYING! I had sugar on Easter and - BAM! - major headache! It's just not worth it. SO many people suggested using splenda, agave or stevia...I've never loved any of those and, honestly, splenda scares me a little. Small amounts of honey and real maple syrup are good enough for me.
I'm an adoptive momma-to-be and am excited to know that I will raise my little one to eat healthy, wholesome foods. I know that friends and grandparents will give my little one treats so I don't feel bad about not having those things at home.
Shelly @ Coupon Teacher says
I am not a mom, but your story describes me. I found myself not caring what food I put into my body. I ended up sick, very sick, in pain, and without any energy. I cut out gluten, most sugar, and more processed food, and suddenly, I am well again.
That is proof enough for me.
It is still hard though, because I came from a family where eating like that is a mindset and way of life. I still struggle daily, but it helps to keep my health in mind.
Nina says
Thank you so much for the time and effort, that you put into this blog. Everyone needs to read this post. I am slowly trying to choose better foods for our family and my hubby is fully on board. The problem is my inlaws (we are living with them until we find a house), who both have diabetes and high blood pressure, but refuse to change their eating habits. The house is fully loaded with processed everything. I can't wait to move into our new home, so that I can prepare healthy meals and snacks for us.
Heather Collea says
While we may think we are "fine," I think we are seeing a huge epidemic that is being passed down to our children. What we think is "fine" is showing up in our children as not fine, eg. autism, higher allergy/intolerance to foods, cancer, etc!
Sarah says
Thanks for this post. I am constantly fighting this battle with outside sources and have been labled the "mean mom" for not letting my kids have every piece of candy, chip and so on offered to them. Having spent the Easter holiday with extended family has led to the daily whine "I want a treat" and the response of "on Sunday we will make ice cream and you can have one then." My husband hasn't needed statins for 4 years now so it's worth it.
Corie says
For easter this year, i bought my kids organic candy, and other fun toys. My father-in-law had bought them candy, but before easter, i told him they weren't allowed to eat peeps and the other stuff...I tell my 7 year old about the bad food and what it does, so he asks a lot if things are healthy or bad for him. I am thankful he cares and that he understands not to eat the junk when it is offered to him...I was actually mad when I read his toothpaste ingredients and it said it had dyes and artificial sweeteners in them- we bought all natural toothpaste. The funny thing is, is that people don't realize that the healthy food tastes good as well, they are just set in their ways.
Susan says
Great piece! As a 50+ female who spent almost 30 years on BP meds, I am now medication free due to a healthy, real food diet. We always ate a relatively healthy diet (almost everything from scratch and using wholesome, real food ingredients). It's definitely the "almost"/"sometimes"/"occasionally" that gets you. For me it was soda. My husband underwent TWO unnecessary heart catheterization procedures for "chest pain". His arteries were whistle clean both times. The cardiologist said he was "mystified" and "can't explain it". Nutrition! The pain turned out to be caused by one of the meds he takes for his apnea (which is also, BTW, now getting better because of weight loss due to a healthy, nutritious, real food diet). How I wish EVERYONE would truly "get" this message! The only way it will change is if people really do "vote" with their hard-earned dollars! Thank you for posting it!!!
100 Days of Real Food says
Susan - So glad your husband is doing better!
Delia says
Excellent post Lisa! I actually hate when people say, "I have been eating this way my whole life and I turned out fine." People also need to realize that GMO foods, growth hormones, antibiotics, animal feedlots are at an all time high. These were not nearly as much of a concern 10 or 15 years ago. As for the candy, I don't understand why stickers or bubbles can't be more of the norm. And instead of "granola bars" after soccer practice, whats wrong with some fresh fruit? I completely agree with everything you have said. I also hate that my family always want to feed my daughter junk. They think that we "deprive" her at home, so they take whatever chance they can get to feed her junk. It's very frustrating.
Jenifer says
Hey, we must be related! My family is the same way!! Drives me nuts!
Healthy says
When I played soccer from age 6-8 (so 24-26 years ago) I remember parents taking turns bringing the snack, and I remember it always being cut up oranges and a big jug of water! I can't remember what we used for cups, but I vaguely remember washable cups. And I hear you about family......my inlaws are always trying to feed cake and ice cream and chocolate......when it's a regular visit, like every 2 weeks, it's no longer special, and it becomes commonplace and expected! I don't get it.
Dree says
I don't know where your kids are in school, but my schools (starting with preschool and 2 kids, there have been 5 of them, and only the preschools were private) have never allowed sugary/processed treats for kids' birthdays OR 100 days of school OR fundraisers. I thought no one did LOL!
My mother is not dealing well with having 40+ years of eating crap catching up to her--it's not the sugar, it's the sodium that she can't stop eating.
Becky D says
Sodium...but probably on high-carb, highly processed snack foods, which turn to sugar in the body. ;)
colleen says
Unfortunately, most schools are not like that. My daughter went to 2 elementary schools in the same district and one was a no sugar/ no treats schools, the other could care less.
Feeding My Tribe says
There is plenty of candy and processed food treats at my kids' school.
100 Days of Real Food says
My kids go to public school...and yes there's lots of junk food to celebrate just about everything!
The Poorganic Life says
I agree! We were and are very healthy, but I feel more confident knowing that I'm not feeding my family a "mystery" menu. :) My kids are actually beginning to chose NOT to eat the junky "exception" foods that are offered to them. Wow! It has also been nice to learn that healthy eating isn't necessarily expensive or inconvenient once you figure it out. All this thanks to YOU!
sara says
I agree. I'm totally sick of every holiday being about candy (or sugar filled baked goods, etc). I tried so hard to fill my three year olds egss with stickers and other fun things and I was not alone in my school. It's sickening when I think about how much junk we ate as a kid. Mom had type two, aunt and cousin have type two, sister has type two, and I had GD with both babes.
I love this blog and am working toward a processed food free home. Thank you for making it easier.