I keep a nursery one day a week. At 3 years old, a particular child's lunch away from home consisted of the usual Oscar Meyer's Nachos and Cheese Lunchable. Nachos (processed carbs), cheese dip (processed something...), and salsa (with sugar). Then, the mom added a side of protein in the form of squeezable yogurt (when the child opened it, he excitedly said, "Mine's pink!"). Our food should never be bright pink. To drink, he had a Capri Sun- 100% juice. Sugar was in the salsa, yogurt, and drink. This is how we send our kids to school. Yikes!
I am guilty of opting for convenience, and even an occasional fun treat just because I know they like it even if it is aweful for them. But, I am noticing that this is a normal lunch for many kids. Pudding cups, fruit cups in sugar syrup, fruit rollups (what in the world! Why do we eat these!) prepackaged cookies, chips, and crackers, sandwiches with white bread- we are letting the stores and the commercials tell us what to buy instead of thinking this through for ourselves! When I substitute teach, when I eat lunch with my kids at school, and when I do my grocery shopping- these are the common foods put in lunch boxes, not the exception anymore. It makes me ask the question, "Is the general American population misinformed or uneducated?"
I want to assume that most people are like myself. We know deep down that most foods are not good for us, but we eat it anyway and ignore our gut instinct, which yells, "don't put that in your body! It's not natural!" And then, I have to hope that most people just don't take the time to figure it out and let it soak in. But at the point of being educated, if change hasn't happened within one's diet, then the issue seems to be addiction. And what is in most foods we buy premade or we buy when we eat out? Sugar! So, I believe that most Americans are addicted to sugar and don't even realize it because they haven't taken the time to look at what they are actually eating. Our obesity epidemic is a complicated problem with many layers that developed over many years. American are a combination of uneducated, then if anything, misinformed, and then addicted on top of it all! If we rely on tv to teach us, instead of our ancestors, then we wind up in the mess we have today.
It makes me sad to see loving parents pack their kids lunch boxes with what they think is a complete and somewhat healthy meal, when really they are helping their child to develop a life long dependency on sugar- all in the spirit of fun and convenience. I am guilty. But, I am learning that I have to learn for myself and then vote with my money. My kids will thank me for it later- probably much later.
About this blog
In other words, the Zone + Crossfit = Optimal Heath!
This blog focuses on nutrition, using the Zone Diet as the basis. However, I often eat Paleo foods in Zone proportions.
I love to investigate anything having to do with food- what we eat and why. And what happens within our bodies, our organs, our brain, when we do? My precious mother struggled with eating disorders. I want to avoid this delimma based on research, common sense, and the natural consequences on my body. The Zone shows me where the balance lies between eating too much and eating too little.
My husband runs a Crossfit gym. Exercise and choosing the right foods have become a mission for ourselves and our children. We don't want to be nerds about it, we just want to be healthy.
I have been asked by several friends what I feed our family, especially our kids. My husband and I follow the Crossfit prescription to nutrition (meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch, and no sugar). If you know me, you know that the sugar part of this equation will be a life long struggle given my love for chocolate! Evan adheres to the stricter version known as the Paleo-Zone diet (and I do on my good days!) which requires the same foods in a ratio of 40% protein, 30% carb, and 30% fat. Children require 50% carbs, 30% fat, and 20% protein. If you're wondering how to figure this out, I do it on a per meal basis and I have a "block" chart from the Zone website.
It seems like a headache at first, but if you're interested, just know that it is not that bad once you practice it for a couple of weeks. All you need is a $10 scale and some determination. It really is quite simple and makes my life easier at the grocery store and when cooking dinner. Most of all, I feel great when I eat well- mentally and physically, and we all know that the physical can affect the mental and visa versa!
Evan and I are hunter/gatherer wanna-be's! This blog will track my journey of health as it should be, and the honest reality of living in a sugar fried culture. When it comes down to it, I get excited to talk about nutrition, but I am definitely not perfect at it! If you have the desire to eat well, but it is often a challenge to overcome the temptations along the way, then you are in the right company!
I hope you leave this blog feeling enlightened and encouraged as you go throughout your day!
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