(I know this is long - if you get tired, read the end and kindly think on answering my questions? Thank you!)
I recently realized just how bad my family was eating. I have read up on things like fast food and prepackaged before, but never took it seriously. I knew it was bad for us, but how bad could it be, everyone eats it, right? HA!
So just before New Years, we gave up fast food completely. I had been eating it "only once a week or when we are out at mealtimes." What a way to rationalize. Because I was eating it less than "mainstream america" I was healthy, right? LOL anyway, since we gave it up, we are all feeling better. My stomach has been settling much easier, and some of my kids behaviors are less. Also, my mom, who has many medical issues says her stomach feels better, too.
So I decided to take it further and look at the processed foods in my house. I was under the assumption that because I only used boxed foods once in a while, I must be healthy. Not realizing that even "ingredients" can be processed. Peanut butter and jelly. Bacon (which I am not sure I can give up!), syrup for goodness sakes. The "maple syrup" I have on my counter is apparently not maple syrup at all, but a blend of sugars and corn syrups mixed with maple flavoring. Gah!
So - I have been reading the ingredient lists on everything in my house. Aside from milk (which we can't buy raw here), eggs, pasta, staples like flour and sugar, and some canned goods - everything seems to have other ingredients in it. I assumed (like - well, you know what assumptions do) that pancake mix had flour, sugar, baking powder, etc in it. It also has HFCS, preservatives (I guess I should have known that) and some other stuff I don't know what it is!
I guess what I am saying is:
1. When did you learn - how long have you been eating healthier
2. What did you learn - what about foods caused you to do this (for those of you who have been eating this way your whole lives - that's awesome, but maybe what did your parents know that they taught to you.
3. What are the MAIN foods others might consider ingredients that you insist on making yourself (insist being a good word here, no negativity). So I just realized I will be making my own pancake mix and syrups. We have been making our own bread because I can't find a healthy brand we can afford. Etc. What are yours?
4. What has eating healthy done for you! I wanna know all the good stuff!
Thank you!!!
I recently realized just how bad my family was eating. I have read up on things like fast food and prepackaged before, but never took it seriously. I knew it was bad for us, but how bad could it be, everyone eats it, right? HA!
So just before New Years, we gave up fast food completely. I had been eating it "only once a week or when we are out at mealtimes." What a way to rationalize. Because I was eating it less than "mainstream america" I was healthy, right? LOL anyway, since we gave it up, we are all feeling better. My stomach has been settling much easier, and some of my kids behaviors are less. Also, my mom, who has many medical issues says her stomach feels better, too.
So I decided to take it further and look at the processed foods in my house. I was under the assumption that because I only used boxed foods once in a while, I must be healthy. Not realizing that even "ingredients" can be processed. Peanut butter and jelly. Bacon (which I am not sure I can give up!), syrup for goodness sakes. The "maple syrup" I have on my counter is apparently not maple syrup at all, but a blend of sugars and corn syrups mixed with maple flavoring. Gah!
So - I have been reading the ingredient lists on everything in my house. Aside from milk (which we can't buy raw here), eggs, pasta, staples like flour and sugar, and some canned goods - everything seems to have other ingredients in it. I assumed (like - well, you know what assumptions do) that pancake mix had flour, sugar, baking powder, etc in it. It also has HFCS, preservatives (I guess I should have known that) and some other stuff I don't know what it is!
I guess what I am saying is:
1. When did you learn - how long have you been eating healthier
2. What did you learn - what about foods caused you to do this (for those of you who have been eating this way your whole lives - that's awesome, but maybe what did your parents know that they taught to you.
3. What are the MAIN foods others might consider ingredients that you insist on making yourself (insist being a good word here, no negativity). So I just realized I will be making my own pancake mix and syrups. We have been making our own bread because I can't find a healthy brand we can afford. Etc. What are yours?
4. What has eating healthy done for you! I wanna know all the good stuff!
Thank you!!!