Most of us like to think we know what we’re putting into our bodies when we eat, but the question is—do we really? Even those who are adamant about reading labels don’t really know for sure that they are putting into their bodies because they are taking the manufacturer of that product at his word. There are government regulations concerning the disclosure of ingredients in processed and canned foods, but there are also ways to avoid complete disclosure. For example, any product that has less than five calories per serving can list a zero calorie count on the package. That may not seem like a very big deal, but it can add up if you frequently eat foods that claim to have zero calories.
How can we prevent ourselves from being subjected to a lack of knowledge about the foods we consume? The only way to know exactly what you are eating and what is in it is to prepare everything you eat from scratch. “But that’s unrealistic, I work all day” is the typical response dieticians and nutritionists hear. They are concerned about what they are eating and feeding their families but not enough to do something about it. You can’t have it both ways—you either have to do something about what you are feeding your family or stop pretending you care about it. That seems like a hard line to take, but the reality is that if you care about what your family eats, you WILL do something about it regardless of how inconvenient it may be.
How can you have it both ways—convenience and preparing healthy meals for your family? One of the easiest ways to provide nutritious meals for your family is to take time on your days off to prepare meals for the week and store them in the freezer. If you don’t have room for large containers, portion the meals into what each person will eat and put it into plastic containers. This is also perfect for times when you or your spouse may be late getting home instead of stopping for fast food. Another possibility is to invest in one of those cookbooks that have recipes you can prepare from start to finish in a half hour or less—you will even see those that only require ten minutes including preparation time.
The fact is we must be aware of what we are eating and what we are feeding our children. Vendors such as School Healthy Vending have taken the initiative by providing healthy foods in vending machines. Instead of soft drinks natural fruit juices are the course of the day in the schools they service. The snacks are natural and organic rather than sweet and packed with sugar. Each parent has to also take the same course of action not just for the children but for their families as an entirety.
Author: Brenda Coxe
