The dilemma these days is not the dearth of choices but glut. From organic to all natural, from processed to ready-made, from junk to health foods, kid-friendly to just what your family always bought. The book by Michael Pollan In Defense of Food really resonated with me and I have bought it for family and friends. His latest Food Rules gives a guide of what to eat and how. Part of the beauty of these books is that it brings food back to where it should be in our consciousness… something we need to think about but not obsess over. His motto “Eat Food, Not Too Much, Mostly Plants” is such a practical guideline. I try to buy organic and local when possible, but sometimes it doesn’t happen. I limit my processed food purchases but I’m not perfect and there are a few things in my cupboard that I know shouldn’t be there. Again, it’s a matter of balancing the “good” over the “bad” or just “better” over “worse”.
One area in which there are way too many choices is breakfast cereal. Some of my friends are more shocked when they see or hear that my kids eat Chocolate Cheerios than that they eat kale. Ok, so I refuse to buy Fruit Loops, Lucky Charms or Fruity Pebbles cereals but I do allow an occasional processed cereal. I base these decisions on sugar content, artificial colors and flavors, and preservatives. The Chocolate Cheerios don’t have as much junk in them as other flavored cereals. I would prefer them to eat oatmeal daily, but it’s not always possible in the morning rush.
A friend also noticed the high sugar content of the Brown Cow Whole Milk Cherry Vanilla yogurt I so enjoy. So, I called Brown Cow and was told that the sugar content is derived from three major components- one half from the milk itself, one quarter from the flavorings (whole fruits) and one quarter from sweeteners (sugar cane, maple and honey). They don’t use fillers or thickeners (modified corn starch, etc) or preservatives. They use real whole milk (the cream is on the top), real whole fruits, maple syrup and honey. So the choice isn’t always about how much sugar, but which sugar is better as well as the other ingredients. If you read the ingredient list of some other yogurts you’ll be amazed at the unrecognizable contents. And why on Earth has yogurt been turned into another junk food with toppings like Oreos and M&Ms or the Trix and Shrek colored stuff?
My kids also love the Maple and Vanilla (low-fat) Brown Cow yogurts. Since it’s not always available where I regularly shop, I do buy Stoneyfield or Trader Joe’s yogurts. They also love when I “make” frozen yogurt. I take Stoneyfield Organic “Yokids Squeezers” (in the tubes) and freeze, then peel off the top part of the packaging, wrap in a paper towel and serve as nice cool treat.
Just try to choose wisely for their health and wallet and your sanity! Put as many fresh, whole foods in their diet and limit the processed and overly sugared and salty foods. Don’t beat yourself up over all the choices.
©2010 MyKidsReallyEatThis.com
