There's Whole and then there's 100% Whole
Or, how to shop at a major grocery store and find next to nothing you want to buy.
Last night, I was irritated beyond reason with my family and decided that a solo grocery store trip was in order. They could all make each other crazy, and I could read labels in peace. I might have been peaceful starting out, but I got all riled up by the time I finished navigating the stores.
"Whole wheat!" claims a label, until you look at the ingredients, and sure, it has wheat flour as the number one ingredient, but the second is corn syrup. I looked at no less than 10 brands of bread that had no fiber to speak of. I imagine I was huffing and puffing and looking indignant as I tried to find lunch snacks for the kids. The dazzling variety of packages and logos and cartoon characters and buy one get one free deals... it is enough to turn a gal's head. But the reality is that 99% of what was on sale, or individually packaged, or labeled with healthy catch-phrases was all stuff that was loaded with sugars, bleached flours, and scary additives.
This is why I loves me some Trader Joes - although even there you have to read labels. Anyway.
I ended up with some 100% Whole Wheat bread, some unsweetened applesauces, some yo-baby yogurts, whole grain pretzels, havarti cheese and sliced turkey, eggs (I hard boil them a dozen at a time) and fresh blueberries. This compliments my stash of natural peanut butter, baby carrots, Wasa flatbreads, green olives, avocados, apples, broccoli and celery.
I would hate being my kid in the cafeteria. I hope that they actually eat the lunches they helped pack for themselves. They were really excited about the food they packed, but it's not gleaming in foil wrappers or emblazoned with SpongeBob Squarepants. I hope they don't just mooch food off of their friends and come home starving and strung out.
The good news is that we are all starting to recognize our shifting moods in relation to the foods we are eating. I've been sticking pretty closely to whole grain stuff, but the kids have had a few sugary treats and without fail, they've become very emotional, super high and then have crashed hard. Instead of feeding them more sugary stuff, I've been offering hard boiled eggs, a spoon of peanut butter, a few triscuits with cheese... and they are eating it. Even better, they are commenting on how much better they feel.
It is a small step, for sure, but a step in the right direction.
Comments
I think that's a big step, actually! Good job!
Posted by: Shrinkingmom | January 8, 2007 10:46 AM
I wanted to say the same thing. It really is a big step. And good for you. I hope you stay persistent. Isn't it amazing, how much of the food one can buy isn't real food? And how small the labels are? (At least they are in Germany. I have never been to an American grocery store or to America at that.)
Posted by: Susanne | January 8, 2007 12:10 PM
I have the exact same thought in the warehouse-style grocery store where I sometimes shop. Mountains of food, and very little of it I actually want to eat.
If your store sells Natural Ovens Bakery products (they might not, on the West Coast), those are usually a sure thing.
Posted by: EverydaySuperGoddess | January 8, 2007 12:16 PM
that is a ginormous step!
Posted by: steph | January 8, 2007 12:46 PM
Isn't that the truth? I'm finding it tough to change the kids breakfast options. They like frozen waffles with syrup or cinnamon roll flavored instant oatmeal. I'm feeling lazy about actually making stuff like an egg, but I should probably suck it up.
Posted by: Nancy | January 8, 2007 2:28 PM
Hi I have been following your blog & love it. I was wondering if you have succesfully found a whole wheat bread sans cornsyrup that the kids will eat. They do like the natural ovens breads but they are very dense & don't last more than a week w/out turning bad. They do love their whole wheat dinner rolls & use those to make mini turkey or ham sandwiches (also good portion control). Is your list comming from the gi index diet book or the sugar addicts book? Thanks for the clarifications.
Aloha
Dawn
P.s. any suggestions for toddlers who only want to eat rotisserie chickens as their protein?
Posted by: dawnf | January 8, 2007 2:46 PM
Corn syrup's so insidious. Keep up the good work, mama!
Posted by: Patti@Strollerderby | January 8, 2007 5:21 PM
Wow, that's exciting progress! Wonderful that the kids are noticing a difference. I must try some of these strategies at our house. First, I'm going to shop for some of those staple foods - they sound yummy!
Way to go, and please keep us posted!
Posted by: SheilaC | January 8, 2007 9:07 PM
You are doing a great job. I need to start reading the labels on the 'wholewheat' bread I buy. How do they get away with it. A great book to read if you really want to freak out about the impact that supermarkets have on our eating habits and environment is Not on the label by Felicity Lawrence. Heres a link;
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Not-Label-What-Really-Plate/dp/0141015667
Posted by: HealthyMummy | January 9, 2007 12:19 AM
That is awesome that your kids are eating the good stuff. Even better is that they are recognizing the good health benefits from it. Way to go, Jenny! Keep it up!
Posted by: Cindy | January 9, 2007 6:01 AM
It is almost impossible to find packaged bread that doesn't have corn syrup in it. I've tried to make it myself, but I've never liked the way it comes out of the bread machine, and I've had no luck trying to make it the old-fashioned way. It's frustrating.
Posted by: Elizabeth | January 11, 2007 8:08 PM