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You may have noticed that almost every time I post one of my child’s lunches on Facebook quite a few readers leave comments such as…”Where’s the protein?” or “I personally need a lot more protein to feel full” or even “My kid wouldn’t have enough energy to get through the day if I don’t give them more protein.” All of this feedback has gotten me wondering…why is our society so concerned about protein? When and how did the notion begin that we need protein, protein, and more protein!? So here’s what I’d really like to say about protein…
Why we don’t count protein (or grams of anything for that matter)
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again…part of eating a real food diet means not counting fat grams, calories, carbs, protein, etc. You simply eat a variety of whole foods (without overeating) and the rest falls into place. Other countries outside of the U.S. routinely follow this practice and don’t obsessively add up numbers like we do. According to Karen Le Billon in her book French Kids Eat Everything, in France “Enjoyment is the goal of eating. You can’t enjoy yourself if you are … counting calories [or] keeping score of micronutrient consumption.” She also says “Variety is a happy side effect of this approach (because new foods are interesting thus making the French happy)."
This is exactly how our ancestors used to approach food…for centuries before us. According to Michael Pollan, in his book In Defense of Food, it wasn’t until the 1980s or so that the shift began “From Foods to Nutrients.” And has this shift really gotten us anywhere?
The many sources of protein
While we don’t keep track, I still think it’s important to point out that there are many sources of protein beyond meat. Just because you don’t see a big hunk of meat on someone’s plate does not mean they aren’t getting any (or “enough”) protein. According to the CDC, protein is found in the following foods:
- Meats, poultry, and fish
- Legumes (dry beans and peas)
- Tofu
- Eggs
- Nuts and seeds (including sunflower and pumpkin seeds)
- Milk and milk products (like yogurt, cheese, and cream cheese)
- Grains, some vegetables, and some fruits (provide only small amounts of protein relative to other sources)
- Check out these High Protein Meal Prep Ideas
- Peanut Butter Protein Bars
You’re probably eating more than enough protein
Straight from the US government’s website… “It's rare for someone who is healthy and eating a varied diet to not get enough protein.” So let’s go back to the example of my children’s lunches. Both of my daughters are between the ages of 4 and 8 years old, and according to the CDC website the recommended protein intake for their age group is 19 grams. Did you know that 1 cup of milk alone contains 8 grams of protein? Both of my daughters have milk in their cereal almost every morning (a little less than half a ½ cup), they both have oatmeal made with milk for their morning snack at school (another ½ cup), and they each usually have milk with dinner (usually close to 1 cup). So right there with their milk consumption alone they get almost the full recommended dietary allowance for protein…and that’s with them both drinking water with their breakfast and lunch.
Plus these estimates don’t even take into account the nuts and seeds that are in their homemade granola cereal, the yogurt, cheese, hard boiled egg, hummus, beans, and other protein sources that I often send in their lunches, nor does it take into account anything that we’re eating for dinner, which does oftentimes include at least a little meat or seafood and/or other sources of protein (like cheese, which we happen to love around here).
Now if you look at the recommended protein allowance for adults that number is quite a bit higher. For females 19 years of age and older the CDC recommends 46 grams of protein per day, but this still doesn’t have me concerned. We just did some quick estimates based on what I might eat in a typical day…
- My Breakfast: Granola cereal (about 10 grams of protein) with milk (another 4 grams) and fruit that’s usually followed by a maple mocha that’s made with around ¾ cup milk (another 6 grams).
- My Lunch: Bowl of refried beans (about 13 grams) with cheese and sour cream on top (another 2 grams or so) with fruit or veggies on the side.
- My Dinner: This varies quite a bit, but just for fun let’s say it is a vegetarian dish of homemade whole-wheat pizza topped with sauce, cheese, and mushrooms (about 12 grams) and a spinach salad on the side mixed with goat cheese, glazed pecans and balsamic vinegar (another 5 grams or so)
- After Dinner Treat: Handful of peanuts with a square of dark chocolate (about another 2 grams)
- DAILY TOTAL: 54 grams of protein! That is well over the recommended allowance and that’s without “trying” to eat any particular foods that are high in protein.
Wow, that was a lot of work dissecting the food I eat. I can’t imagine doing this on a regular basis!
So…you’re off the hook
Hopefully now you feel convinced that you’re off the hook from having to worry about eating a certain amount of protein, the right number of calories, or even the optimal amount of carbs. If you simply eat a variety of whole foods (without overeating and incorporating lots of produce - this part is important!), all of these things will just naturally happen as an automatic and lovely side effect. It certainly sounds like a much more enjoyable way to eat food…and guess what, it is! :)
Note: It is important to mention that everyone's needs are different, so defer to your health care professional's advice, especially if you have specific ailments or special nutritional needs.
Kathy says
Such a great post--completely RIGHT ON!!!
Ashley says
Ok, I follow your site and it really has helped me to elminate processed foods from our daily diet and I am feeling like a million bucks. This post is fabulous!! It reminded me that eliminating process foods has nothing to do with losing weight. ( i was feeling guilty about not counting calories) I dont want to count every single thing that goes into my body. I dont want to worry and think about food all day long, that just makes me more hungry! Thank you for posting this, you reminded me why I chose to take this route to just get healthy, instead of another stupid diet that will never work. :)
Robin says
We're slowly gravitating toward a vegan diet in our household. I have to admit I've crunched the numbers a couple of times. I'm getting enough protein at the lower end of the "spectrum" and I'm feeling just fine. :) Definitely agree with just eating a wide variety of foods. All these "diets" that leave out carbs are crazy. It makes for so much more work making sure you're getting what you need.
Heidi says
Great post. As a vegetarian, I can't count the number of times I've been asked how I get my protein. My daughter doesn't eat meat either (her choice). People are obsessed with protein--I wonder if it was the Atkin's diet that set things off. I never count protein grams, or anything else. My body will tell me if it needs something. Sadly, I think most Americans have lost the ability to actually listen to their bodies and eat accordingly.
Rebecca says
THANKS, Dena, for the encouragement for posts to remain constructive, not negative/argumentative :) I'm posting in regard to Stacie's comment that dairy milk is "not suitable if a child has a cold, since it aggravates mucus production." Turns out this commonly-held belief was de-bunked: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/phlegm/AN01455 (this is just one quick-answer site, but many more exist). I was surprised to learn this info and thought others might benefit from this info, too! :)
Dena Brock says
Every person is going to have something to say regarding everything. This blog is a message, if you like it spread the message. That's all.
christine says
The antivdairy movement does frustrate me. Not ALL people have an allergy to it. If u do than by all means, stay clear of it. For the rest of us? I don't find it unsafe.
I look at Lisa and she feeds her family such beautiful food. They get a variety of whole foods and most are lovingly made from home... yet everyone zeros in on the milk.
I think people need to learn to give other people a break...
I think its safe to assume that even perfect eaters have SOMETHING in their diet that they shouldn't..ey?
Tina says
I could read through this article, something wrong with my computer this morning. But I just wanted to say that while I was pregnant the only thing that kept my morning sickness in check was consuming around 80 gr of protein per day. Now in my normal non pregnant state 50 seems to be fine, but some of that has to come from meat for me, I tried the veggie diet and it just left me depressed and in a sad state of health. I don't count anything either, just lots of variety of foods, always trying out a new recipe and going with cravings (as long as its for something good for us) seems to insure we are getting what our body needs in terms of protein.
Katie says
I'm really enjoying this blog and a lot of the advice posted on it. One thing I'm wondering about, though, and not just as someone with a casein allergy: We are not baby cows; why the emphasis on drinking cows' milk, then? There's a reason we are weaned off human milk at a certain age--milk is fundamentally a baby food, not suited to adult mammals. If humans could realize this, I wouldn't have to spend so much time worrying that some hidden ingredient in my food could cause me to get congested, flush in the face and ears, feel spaced out, make my ADHD symptoms worse, worsen my under-eye shadows, and cause me to gain weight. Just saying.
Assistant to 100 Days (Jill) says
Hi Katie. Thanks for your thoughts on the subject. Yes, some others have brought up a similar point. Drinking cow's milk is just what works for Lisa and her family, but, by all means, if there is a better alternative for someone else then they should definitely go with that. Again, thanks for sharing your thoughts and adding to the discussion. Jill
Tina says
Katie aside from your personal feelings about rather or not a human should drink cows milk, have you ever tried raw milk? My husband has a similar issue with milk, but has no issues with raw milk from A2 cows. Just a though for anyone who does want to drink milk, but has an allergy to the casein.
Mary says
Just added up what we have eaten so far today (before a snack and dinner) and my kids were already over all of their "suggested" amounts of protein and we haven't had any meat or anything processed today. According to Lisa's number, I am more than 2/3 of the way there for myself. Lisa, I love that you make us all rethink what we are doing and why we are doing it!
Stacie says
The whole food with variety idea is wonderful advice yet giving kids dairy milk as the only source of protein might not be the best thing since most of us know dairy is hard to digest and also not suitable if a child has a cold, since it aggravates mucus production. Nuts, hummus, plain yogurt are things I like to have around to balance the carbs & sugar. It's great we aim to do what's best for our children!
April Brown says
Hi Stacie, I read your comments about milk and am thinking you must be talking about pasteurized milk, which is a processed food. Real milk is raw, and healthy, vitamin rich, nutrient dense raw milk comes from pastured animals eating grasses in the growing months and root vegetables, and hay, etc. in the winter months (and not corn). It is incredibly easy to digest, even for many who thought they were lactose intolerant. I have actually lost track of how many friends I have who could not consume pastuerized milk until they switched to raw grass fed milk. We drink loads of it, with colds, etc. and have no problems. We definitely don't get mucus production from drinking it. If you want to find out more you can check out http://www.realmilk.com
mrs spock says
Both my children have always been dairy free because of allergies, and the almond milk our pediatrician recommends instead of soy is protein poor, with 1 gram per cup. Even accounting for that, they get more than the recommended intake of protein easily per day.
Kayla says
vegetarians are less energetic? I have not eaten most meat,since i was 16 ( i will on the rare occasion eat fish) my body doesnt process it properly and f i eat meat i get sick, on top of that i have a severe dairy allergy, as well as IBS. I have plenty of energy for my day and i work in a preschool taking care of 16 children for 9 hours a day ( im constantly moving) . yes, i do think about protien sources,because i am dairy free, as well as gluten free, but i notice that i have MORE energy than my counter parts at work. if i feel like im lagging its usually my body telling me im out of fuel, and i eat a hoomemade protien bar (love the recipes at chocolatecoveredkatie) and im good to go.
Andrew says
Actually Protein assists in the synthesis of building muscles. However in meat Carnitine is what we need, it transports energy to the cells and helps keep you alert. Ever notice that vegetarians always seem less energetic than those of us that eat red meat?
Eddie says
I am always telling people Americans eat way too much meat and it's because of that line of thinking that we need lots of protein. Thanks for the post I hope the right people read it.
Sile says
I used to have to track my intake on a daily basis. It got to be so much hassle that I stopped doing it and pretty much gained back all i lost because i wasn't watching closely.
Switching to real, I can just worry about having good food and actually enjoying it. No math involved! :D
Tracy says
if you haven't read The China Study...I recommend it. We have waaaaay too much protein in our diets anyways....and plus you can get good sources from a balanced diet!! I agree :) great blog!
Kendra says
I completely agree - I have not read the article you refer too - but I lived in Japan for a year and the Japanese eat a variety of proteins with very little compared to the American Diet.
Working Mom says
Hi Lisa,
First let me say - LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE your site.
I was hoping you may have some real food advice for the exhausted mom. Like many I am a working mom of 2 and I find that I am always super tired. Do you have any suggestions of real food to give a mom a boost?
Assistant to 100 Days (Jill) says
Hi Working Mom. Glad you are enjoying the blog. My biggest suggestion would be to plan your meals on the weekend and do as much prep then. I would also try and make a meal so that you can at least have a night or 2 of leftovers. And, if you can freeze as much as possilbe, that's helpful too. Best of luck to you and thanks for reading. Jill
Mary says
I sent my older son and twins with the same lunch yesterday. The older son came back with food still uneaten. It was all healthy food. My kindergarteners came home and told me that the lunch ladies said their mom only packed snacks and I need to send a sandwich. They sent my kids to the lunch line like I was an abusive parent! They got home from school at 1 (so honestly who would starve on 2 hours of even a crappy lunch?) and the kids that ate the school lunch were starving and my son who ate what I packed didn't ask for a snack til around 4. I was soooo ashamed at first but my husband reminded me what I packed had way more nutrition than a capri sun plus lunchable combo and they wouldn't bat an eye at it. My kids are a lovely weight...not skinny, not fat. Anyway, it is really frustrated to be "called out" when I know what my kids feel full from and I know you feel the same way.
Eddie says
Good heavens! That's terrible. I assume this is a public school. My foster son use to go to school early (I was working) and he would have breakfast at school until I found out they were feeding him a honey bun and chocolate milk! WHAT!!!! and they complained about your lunch you packed!!!!
Annalisa M says
Personally, I would go to the school and have a talk with the principle! I don't know what state you are in but public school lack the right to force food on your child. You provided them with a lunch. I battled my sons lunch ladies until I went down with principle on my side and talked to them telling them why I feed my kids the way I' do. I was nice but told them told them under any terms were my son not EVER to get in the lunch line. I had to teach them that the food I was serving was well balanced a d contained more then it looked.
Assistant to 100 Days (Jill) says
Hi Mary. So sorry that happened, but, stick to your guns and do what you know is right. Best of luck. Jill
Shannon says
I love your blog and am going to try your recipes. As a mother of a child with type 1 diabetes I just have to add that for us it is ALL about counting, and there's no such thing as just relaxing and enjoying our food. There are dire consequences for my son if we take that approach. Wish we could, though! We rely heavily on protein to fill him up on things other than carbs....just offering a different perspective, that's all.
Sam says
Shannon, I have been type 1 for over 30 years. (diagnosed at age 8). You don't have to fill him up with protein...lots of veggies are "free" choices. And not all carbs are bad. My new favorite are beans...yes, a serving is high in carbs but you are also getting tons of fiber and protein. I have found that as I start eating healthy and "whole" my glucose control as gotten much better. No, you can't stop counting, but you can still enjoy. I wish you and your family all the best.
Assistant to 100 Days (Jill) says
Hi Shannon. Thanks for sharing your thoughts...we always appreciate that. As I think I've said before, everyone's situation is different and we all need to do what is right for us. But, again, thanks for reminding us of this and sharing your perspective. Jill
Tim says
On the one hand, I agree with just eating to eat. I come from a Russian background. we immigrated when I was 4 years old. When my parents were growing up they drank fresh unpasteurized milk with that thick layer of fat on tip. They ate bread with butter pretty oftrn. the difference lies in several things. For one, portion size. In those days food was not exactly in abundance. The portions in this country have increase in such an obscene way tjat monitoring every little gram of this or that is the suggested alternative. In addition, the amount of vegetables consumed during the day is mostly unheard of here. to this day, and I am 26 years old, my russian wife and I have a cucumber and tomato salad with herbs three times a day. salad is consumed for almost every meal. unless youre an athlete or suffering from a health condition. Such monitoring and high amounts of protein really isnt necessary.
Karl MacPhee says
I'll agree with you on that. I usually see my kids eat plenty of protein in the morning, then throughout the day they feed on fruit, veggies, nuts, some bread and the odd treat. One loves sardines, the other loves chicken, but to worry about getting enough protein at every meal is too much with kids. I have been quite happy with a balanced meal in the morning, and another at dinner, and we never count macros...thanks for the post. I love your site.
Karl
Susan says
Thank you Lisa. I always worry that my kids don't get enough protein. You put my mind at ease!
Sarah says
I watched Forks over Knives a few months ago and eat very little meat now. I have more energy and all my lab tests are now NORMAL, which they have never been my entire life! (high cholesterol, borderline high blood sugar, etc.) If you are gluten free and trying to reduce your protein intake of meat and eggs, consider all your dark leafy green veggies and quinoa. I have sensitivities to meat and eggs, and I feel so much better without an abundance of them. I eat them a lot more sparingly now and I agree that who cares about counting your protein numbers? Now I am able to exercise for the first time in 15 years!
Economiesofkale says
Thanks for this post. I am a vegetarian and often get asked how I get my protein. I eat granola with Greek yogurt every morning for breakfast, and leftovers for lunch (usually with some kind of dairy or beans) and some fruit, then I include beans, yogurt or tofu in dinner. That's plenty of protein without eating meat :)
Kay says
THANK YOU for this post. I was a strict vegetarian for a long time and even though it ended up not working out for my body, protein wasn't the reason. So many people were adamant that I wasn't getting enough, but I was tracking my nutrition every day and getting enough or extra, even without eggs or dairy. Sometimes I look at a friend or coworker's plate, and they're putting away the RDV of protein in ONE MEAL. Not uncommon at all. Our society is just so sadly uninformed about nutrition. I think your kids' lunches are beautiful and I wish I'd been raised the way you're raising them - maybe I'd have less food allergies and difficulties now. I bought those Ziploc containers and pack lunches about that size every day, and I'm an active adult. It's plenty for me. You're a wonderful mom. Best to you.
Tyson Faulkner says
I've just been learning how we get way too much protein in America, very timely article for me =) It's interesting that protein deficiencies are unheard of in America. If we really were close to being deficient this obviously wouldnt be the case...
Sally says
This is from The Mediterranean Diet by Marissa Cloutier. I think it may explain where some of our beliefs about protein came from: In the early 20th century researchers were just learning what nutrients that were missing from our diets could affect our health:
"One significant example of this research emphasis was the work of several British investigators, including Corey Mann and Boyd Orr. In the first half of the twentieth century, these two researchers attempted to remedy the problem of why the working classes in northern England and Scotland -- the groups reproducing at a higher rate than the aristocracy -- seemed to be getting shorter and thinner. The government of Great Britain was concerned. Prominent was the notion that the 'lower' classes were simply genetically inferior, but how could Britain compete in an increasingly global world as a colonial power if their very genetic stock was degenerating? Was there anything they could do to restore the working class? Was the answer within the realm of human control?
"Mann and Orr embarked on an investigation to determine whether anything could be done to induce growth in short children. Sure enough, the results of feeding studies using short children as subjects revealed that feeding butter and sugar induced weight gain but no height increase; children fed milk or meat supplements, on the other hand, grew taller. The British working class wasn't genetically lacking -- it was malnourished! Public policy began to evolve in conjunction with farmers and social activists to provide milk in schools, milk and orange juice to pregnant and nursing mothers, and, once World War II began, milk and meat rations equally to all classes. Food production became a major priority for many nations, not just Great Britain. 'Avoid deficiencies' was the battle cry."
Where we got the idea that protein leads to satiety I'm not sure. Maybe it's from those who stand to benefit from it.
Sydney says
This is really off-topic, but has anyone ever looked at the ingredients in bottled water? I looked at one today that had water, potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, calcium citrate, sodium chloride, and magnesium oxide. I'm not exactly sure what all of those are, but I do know they are not water. Who knew that you would have to look at the ingredients on a water bottle?! I sure didn't before now.
Critical Reader says
Sydney, are that really ingredients or just naturally occurring elements in the water you bought? Anyway, they all are minerals. Unless you buy purified/distilled/de-ionized water every water has a wide variety of minerals in it - most of them harmless (calcium, magnesium, potassium, etc.), some of them harmful if present in too large amounts (arsenic, etc.). The same holds true for tap water. Numerous studies have found, that in areas with "hard" water (that means there are naturally a lot of minerals in the tap water) the rate of heart diseases is significantly lower than in areas with "soft" water. Unfortunately, like with almost everything, Americans have to mess around with water. So instead of just natural spring water, you find purified water, purified water with some additions for taste (I guess yours is one of those) etc. in the shelfs. Long story short, the minerals in your water are harmless unless you are using it for infant foods, there you have to watch out the sodium content.
Sydney says
You are right, I shouldn't worry about it. I guess I was just caught off-guard when I saw that there was more than one ingredient on the label. I figured it was the "minerals added for taste", I just didn't know why they would have to add so many, as most waters I have purchased just say water. Thank you for your insight, though, as I don't know that much about the water purification process and hoped someone else would know something that would help. :)
Lucie says
Another fantastic post! Your info is very accurate. Americans are over-fixated on protein. As with most things in our diets, we get an abundance of protein. The recommendation is 0.8 grams of protein per KG of body weight (divide your lbs by 2.2, then multiply by 0.8 for protein grams).
Thanks, Lucie (MS, RD, LD)
Esther says
Thank you, thank you, thank you Lisa! I have enjoyed all the recipes you have shared. To my surprise, so has my family (I never thought I could get away with a whole foods menu). You have made feeding my family a wonderfully simple daily task. On the subject of protein and whole foods, I came away from a new pediatrician's office with this advice, "Switch to fat-free milk" for my 4 yr. old. Whole milk has too much fat which is bad for the heart. I don't know much about the connection, so I was wondering if you had any information to share. Thank you!
Dawn says
Off the top of my head... The fat that is bad for us is trans fat (found in foods like margarine); as far as I am aware heart health has very little to do with milk fats, even though whole milk does contain saturated fat (which is turning out not to be as bad for us as nutritional science told us).
Now, milk from commercial dairy farms is higher in omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3, and there is some theorizing that the ratio of 6s to 3s in your diet can affect health... (which is why many health-conscious people take fish oil, as seafood is naturally higher in omega 3 fatty acids) but cows fed what they were meant to eat (grass) have "healthier" milk with more balanced fatty acid levels. If that's a concern, buy milk from grass-fed cows. It's an expensive switch but it's much better for you all 'round (no antibiotics, no growth hormones, happier cows not fed unnaturally on corn!). Personally I think taking the fat out of milk is absurd. Fat helps us take up the other nutrients in our food, so fat-free anything is less nourishing from what I understand. We NEED fat to stay healthy and grow!
Ask your pediatrician for the studies and research that prove that a switch to fat-free milk is better and do some reading on your own :)
Assistant to 100 Days (Jill) says
Hi Esther. I wold suggest you take a look at these posts on low-fat dairy products, including milk. https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/04/15/mini-pledge-week-6-no-low-fat-lite-or-nonfat-food-products/. You may also be interested in this post on milk...https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/06/07/milk-101-whole-raw-organic-low-fat-etc/. Jill
Julie says
Just found your blog through the emeals Family Week. Great post! I'll be reading more for sure. Thanks for the great blog topic.
New Reader,
Julie (Austin, Texas)
Zoe says
I don't think Lisa needs to defend or justify her kids' lunches to anyone. Nor does she need to blog with concern for every possible food allergy, food intolerance, metabolic disorder, or food fetish conceivable. Thankfully my family has no allergies, intolerances, or illnesses of any kind that prevent us from eating anything and everything. You name it, we eat it... as long as it real food from good sources and we prepared it ourselves. We eat such a varied diet that counting nutrients seems totally unnecessary and a waste of time. We may not get a large dose of protein at every meal, but so what? We'll get it at the next meal. Nutrition is cumulative (so is poor nutrition).
Lisa's point, forgive me for speaking for her, is getting lost in the food anxieties expressed in this comments section. I believe her point is that if you eat a varied diet consisting of all the awesome real foods nature has to offer, you're going to get the nutrients your body needs without needing to count anything. This is GENERAL advice meant for those who don't have medical problems. I would hate to see her blog overtaken by warnings about every possible allergy known to man and a few yet to be invented.
Relax. Enjoy your food... whatever it is.
Sarah says
Zoe, I agree with you 100%. :-) Well stated.
Karey says
Lisa you ROCK!!!! I support you 200%!!!
Vickie Rice says
Thank you so much for this information other will help me explain to people that my hisbsnf and I are really ok and getting enough protein. We have over the past 3 years become vegetarians which most of our family does not understand. We did it for medical reasons for my husband.
Cecile says
I'm French, and I have to agree. Food for us is about pleasure, family, taking time, cooking. Not about counting, and certainly not about fat-free everything, egg whites or diet soda!
Elizabeth says
Hear, hear! Love your blog, even though I don't have kids. Love the ideas and information, and completely agree with your philosophy on food. Keep up the good work, and ignore the haters who say you're not adding enough protein!
Molly says
This is funny! Who'd have thought so many people would have an opinion on the school lunches you make? I think it's just lack of education when comments like protein come up. Right? I used to think the only sources of protein were from meat and eggs. In general, I think a lack of healthy eating is from a lack of education. If it's not taught in the home...and not at school...then alot of children don't necessarily learn what they need (for when they become parents and then teach another generation). In my opinion - the breakdown happened around the time that convenience foods became big. Whenever that was. Grocery stores used to be tiny, they didn't offer aisles of processed foods, it was mainly produce and milk and a few canned items.
lynne says
Lisa-
I've noticed you mention in several posts that your kids eat boxed cereal for breakfast and rice cakes at lunch. Are these not considered processed foods? I would consider these highly processed. I realize I'm in the minority from most of the commenters here, but I think that more people are eating more protein as they try to reduce their carbs, which have been linked to many inflammatory diseases. It's all very complicated, isn't it? I love your blog. Just wanted to throw my 2 cents in to the discussion.
Assistant to 100 Days (Jill) says
Hi Lynne. Glad you are enjoying the blog. The cereal Lisa's kids eat is the homemade granola, so, no boxed cereals. And, as for the rice cakes, they're the Lundberg brown rice cakes which only contain organic brown rice. Hope that helps to clear things up. Jill
Lindsey Clair says
This is excellent information and has eased a few concerns I have had regarding protein, especially in my children.