Michelle Obama is on a mission to clean up school lunches and make them healthier. As she fights for schools to provide a more nutritious meal, I wonder what parents are packing in thier children's lunches and in thier own?
I was at the grocery store and couldn't help but pick up a packet of a popular kids lunch found in the lunch meat section. One of the options has 370 calories, 11 grams of fat and an ingredient list that is well over 30 items. The ingredients include things like NATAMYCIN, PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED COTTONSEED OIL, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM , and ALPHA CELLULOSE. Do you even know how to pronounce all of those let alone what they are? I looked up Partially Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil and here is what I found that it is a trans fat and that Wikipedia states in thier definition of a trans fat that, "Health authorities worldwide recommend that consumption of trans fat be reduced to trace amounts. Trans fats from partially hydrogenated oils are more harmful than naturally occurring oils".
I delved futher and picked up a more popular lunch for adults that even has "Healthy" on the label. It also contained Partially Hydrogentaed Cottonseed Oil. The ingredient list was well over 40 items and I couldn't pronounce half of them. Take a look at the ingredients in what you are having for lunch today and google a few of the ingredients that you can't pronounce. I think you will surprise yourself and maybe even tell me what Lucost Bean Gum is.
So, what are good food choices? It's time to get back to the basics. An apple, orange, or a pear with natural peanut butter and organic jelly on whole wheat bread with a bottle of water for your child covers all thier nutritional needs. For you, a simple salad with Olive oil and Balsamic dressing on top, perhaps with some leftover grilled chicken from last nights dinner.
In Health,
Tricia
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