I'll admit I did something the other day that will probably make you laugh. I have to say first of all that if there were a random, completely fulfilling job that I could do; if I weren't raising kids, taking care of a husband, writing books, taking care of everything that a house requires, and planning our future ;), I would LOVE to talk to people at the checkout stand about the non-food they were buying for their families. (You know like the british ladies on Oprah who ambush people for their fashion faux pas.) Of course I know that the food industry would have me shut down immediately, considering how the products that they make billions of dollars on are all of the ones in the center isles of the supermarket. You know, the ones in packages that I would be criticizing! ;).
I am always amazed when the cashier comments on all of the fresh produce I am buying, or even asks me what I use something like coconut milk for. (seriously happened a few months ago) 75% or more of my grocery cart contents are produce items. I just can't believe that that is out of the ordinary...until I happen to glance at the non-food that others before and after me try to pass off as life-sustaining nutrition. So...anyway, as I was finishing paying, another person was checking out, and I was in a blogging mindset, so I pulled my phone out, pulled up the "memo" tab and began jotting down the items that this person was buying for their family. Ready? Fruit Loops, Apple Jacks, Rice Krispies, Pringles, Marshmallows, WHITE bread, and...to top it all off...a very heavily frosted blue, purple and white cake! You might think I am making this up, but this was literally ALL this person had!
**Rant Alert**
What has happened in our culture that THOSE groceries are accepted as nutritious food for a family? Especially CHILDREN! And parents wonder why ADHD, childhood obesity and diabetes rates are flying off the charts! Here's an interesting little side note: not until my family moved to Texas 2 years ago did I ever see in my life a 5 gal. tub of LARD for sale at Walmart! I laughed first...and then I about fell over dead. I seriously couldn't believe it! And looking at the charts, the highest obesity rates are in the south!
You guys, we can do better. Mothers, we are the ones who primarily buy the food for our families! If we don't buy it...our family's have less probability of eating it! And, on top of that...we should be TEACHING them why we don't eat that food. Not hold it up on this pedestal to be desired. We are working in our family to show our daughters at a young age that they FEEL well when they eat good food, so that they'll recognize that bad food doesn't make them feel as well. We have tried really hard not to make "junk food treats" a reward. What kind of message is that sending if the things that aren't good for them are a reward for good behavior? Hmm...kind of the opposite message wouldn't you say? I'm not saying that treats or rewards are bad. Just pick better treats to reward them with. I'll give you some ideas for some soon.
My intended message for this post? Pay attention to what you are putting into your shopping cart. Pay attention to what you are presenting to your family as healthy eating habits, and don't adopt healthy eating habits from something you've read on a box or heard on a TV commercial. Don't make eating healthy food a punishment. I've met so many parents who themselves watch what they eat, and give all of the crap to their kids. If we give it to them...they'll eat it. And if they create habits around foods high in fat, sugar, and artificial everything...then that's what they are going to recognize as food. Talk about missing the boat! Those are the years where they learn the bad and good habits that they will either be blessed to keep or struggle to break later on in life! Set them up right from the start so that they'll make the right choices when they are alone! Here are the top things that I look for when it comes to grocery shopping.
1. What is on the ingredients list. If there are any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives...I make a nasty face, and honestly a verbal "bleh" sound...and then I put it back on the shelf! I am not even tempted. It physically makes me cringe at this point in our family's journey to even consider feeding it to my family.
2. Are there a bazillion ingredients on the list?
3. I even check the "all-natural" branded products for the above #'s 1 & 2.
4. I have made a serious shift in the past few months to buying organic wherever possible. I know it's usually a little more expensive. I have some very good reasons...but that's another post for another day!
Be leaders my friends. Refuse to accept the junk being peddled all around us. Be examples for your family and friends. Thank you for reading. Spread the word and lets help fix the terrible habits that have been created all around us. Sometimes...big changes come just by raising awareness.
Camber
It is hard not to judge when we see what others are buying, isn't it. Thats why blogs like these are good because it helps to educate those who are ignorant to their problem.
ReplyDeleteIts amazing how most people actually think they eat healthy, when in fact, they do not. And that includes me more often than I'd like to admit! eek!
Camber you couldn't have said it better. What is also sad it the fact that some of these kids grow up their whole life not understanding why they look or feel they way they do all the time. This is just a great blog and couldn't have helped me more with my grocery shopping endeavors :)
ReplyDeleteI agree that there is a need for more education about nutrition. I also think that there are a lot of other reasons why people choose unhealthy food that are worth discussing. Processed foods are, on the whole, cheaper than fresh produce. Particularly when it's not in season, fresh produce just isn't in the budget of some families. If you're a mom and you only have a dollar to spend, and that dollar can buy you four oranges or a TV dinner, which one are you going to put in front of your kid for dinner? And you and I might scoff at 5 lbs of lard, but if your economic situation forces your family to subsist mostly on tortillas (which I'm sure is common in Texas), then that 5lbs of lard on sale could be a huge blessing for your hungry family. Unfortunately the government has chosen to subsidize meat, dairy, corn, soy, etc - which all makes for cheap processed food, and more expensive vegetables. There are people who creatively scrimp and manage to feed their families healthy foods on tight budgets, but the economic deck is simply not stacked in their favor. It seems that you really care about families' food choices, and I'd encourage you to be vocal with your state representatives next time the Farm Bill goes up for renewal (the big bill that determines subsidies and such, and sets the economics that really determine what lands on Americans' tables). Demand that they support healthy, not unhealthy food! Good luck to you.
ReplyDeleteIt really is unfortunate isn't it Jenika that it is sometimes made difficult to supply our family with healthy choices. One way we have tried to be proactive in that regard is by planting our own organic gardens to supplement those extra costs during part of the year. I love the idea about the Farm bill. Thanks for sharing!
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