US diet and marketing

[frugalgram]

I do look at product labels and turn away from the ones with ingredients i refuse to buy (like transfats,partially hydrogenated oils and high sodium. I find myself buying very few processed items and I eliminated some of my favorite choices. It is frustrating to put down a product I have consumed for years because now I know better than to eat it. But, sometimes I still crave it....

[Saule]

I find a lot more choices for minimally processed foods - including nuts and grains and dried fruit, clearly labeled - at the larger ethnic markets in my area. I live outside of Chicago and Valli's and Caputo's are favorites of mine. We also have Home Economist, which is a bulk food store and has a great selection of flours and grains as well as other things.

If you rely on supermarket chains, you really are directed to the processed foods.

[MomToTwoBoys]

I find a lot more choices for minimally processed foods - including nuts and grains and dried fruit, clearly labeled - at the larger ethnic markets in my area. I live outside of Chicago and Valli's and Caputo's are favorites of mine. We also have Home Economist, which is a bulk food store and has a great selection of flours and grains as well as other things.

If you rely on supermarket chains, you really are directed to the processed foods.

Yeah, I found that there's a lot more in the no-sodium product selection if you also go to the health food stores. Now mind ya, it's more expensive but in the long run, you end up spending less down the road in medical costs and prescriptions.

Mek, I'd check out the health food stores if you want fruits and nuts that are either low sodium or zero sodium all together. You can also just invest in a food dehydrator and make your own dried fruits.

I think the push needs to be harder in the direction of organics that you can grow on your own or are offered at a lower price in a community garden than via the farmer's market/supermarkets.

[JanieD]

Why must people have premade stuff? We need to educate them so they know that cooking doesn't have to be that hard.

A college student could survive with a rice cooker and a steamer and be the healthiest one around. We have steamed veggies, rice and beans often. It is not difficult.

Like my dr said today...don't make food the high point of your day. The high point of your day should be the hug from your loved one, the sunset...not the food. "Eat to live, don't live to eat".

I really like that last sentence! I do need some enlightment (education) on the cooking doesn't have to be hard. I need quick too. Please help!

Can I ask for suggestions here? I'm up for reseaching on my own, but need some direction.

Very limited shopping options - NO local health food stores, Whole Foods, Costco, Krogers & list goes on & on. Ironically, lots of drug stores to pick from. I definitely want to eat healthier & realize the choices I make now effect my future health. Need to find a balance. Any ideas?

[cab54]

We (dh and I) ware both quite heavy, and working on healthier eating. Lots more fruits and veg. Also nuts and seeds. It IS hard to find unsalted nuts and seeds. And dried fruit without crap addd to it. I rarely do dry fruit. It takes more repetitive shopping, but I go for fresh and raw as much as possible.

I was walking down an aisle at the store the other day, and marvelling at the huge amounts of boxed, bagged, fake, half-real, calorie laden, nutritionally empty JUNK. All in packaging to attract and SELL. "It's all about the almighty $$!" I thought to myself. And look at us. It makes me mad.

Lately, I grimace and smirk at all of the commercials on TV selling something that's just garbage. Ridiculous and ridiculously priced beauty products, silly 'foods' that aren't even food. Body wash and deodorant that makes your DH look like 'that man', lol.

But mainly the food! I chose my battles when my kids were young, but now I shudder at the thought of some of the things I might have let them eat. Generally we ate plenty of healthy food. But snacks may have been another matter.

[2ndGenGranola]

I really like that last sentence! I do need some enlightment (education) on the cooking doesn't have to be hard. I need quick too. Please help!

The more simple you go, the better it is for you. All these are quick "non recipe" meals.

Rice cooker -- For years I put off getting a rice cooker (was always told it was just a space hog). It is one of my top appliances now. Use its measuring cup, add liquid and punch the button. Mine is a cheapie from Walmart. Nothing fancy at all.

Steamer -- I have a double decker steamer. Fill it with veggies. I can even "boil" eggs in mine or cook rice in an attachment that came with it. All I do is prep the veggies, fill water to the mark and turn it on.

Crockpot -- I cook beans overnight, then rinse (until bubbles are gone) then cook on low for the day. Soft, gas free beans.

Electric pot or pot for stovetop -- We use cabbage as a base then add others (squash, carrots, celery, tomatoes, kale, onion, garlic whatever is in the fridge and sounds good ) cover with water or stock and cook until the veggies are the texture you like - it can be 30 min or a couple hours. Some days I will add red pepper - some Mexican spices - some Italian spices -- experiment with the spices you like, there are no rules.

If you eat meat, get a Foreman Grill -- wipe it while it is still hot and it is an ez clean -- we have grilled meats or "stir fry" on it.