Posts Tagged ‘yum’

Food Fight

Wednesday, March 9th, 2011

Linda recently talked about a post she wrote for the Stir, in which some sanctimonious commenters took issue with the foods she was feeding her children. I had previously read the comments on the Stir post, and had noted that someone said something officious like “if you only offer them nutritious options, that’s what they’ll eat.” I’ll confess. I’ve heard this advice before and actually have tried to follow it. I mean, it makes some degree of sense, right? If they don’t know that Oreos exist, how will they ever know to demand them? Well, yes and no.

Up to this point, Drew has been an amazing eater. He’s eaten pretty much everything I’ve ever put in front of him, and often with gusto. But I’ve been an avid momblog reader for some time, so I know that great baby eaters don’t always grow into great toddler eaters. Any time a friend or acquaintance has commented on how lucky I am to have such a good eater, I enthusiastically agree and then follow up with an aw shucks, “for now!”

For all the prepared I thought I was, I was somehow ill-prepared for the moment when I proudly forked some grilled squash into my boy’s mouth and he promptly pulled it BACK OUT of his mouth and threw it across the restaurant floor. “No?” I stammered. “You don’t, you don’t like it?” He looked at me with pure challenge in his eyes, a sort of ‘just try me, Mom’ that I did not want to mess with in public. Well, I thought, I’ll just give him the wrap. At least it’s whole wheat! Guess where that ended up? Right next to the nutritious, only-option grilled veggies! A busboy-man walked past right after the veggies got tossed, and I knew he saw, so I sheepishly apologized. I feared he was irritated at the growing mess he’d eventually be responsible for if I didn’t take care of it.

So, friends, what did I do next? I pulled out Mommy’s Magic Stash of Goldfish Crackers! Why, when such nutritious fare was on offer? Because I didn’t want a food fight in a restaurant, I didn’t want to hear (and presumed no one else did either) any more cranky whining from the littlest food critic, and I didn’t want my boy to be hungry. I scarfed down a nutritious (and BORING!) grilled veggie wrap while Drew noshed on Goldfish. Next time, I’m making us both grilled cheese sandwiches from the privacy of our own home and not worrying about the inevitable mess on the floor or any potentially judging eyes.

Eating Evolution

Friday, June 11th, 2010

I wrote awhile back about my increasing interest in the growing ‘whole food’ movement. I was (and still am) inspired by the notion that what I put into my body was coming back out—in some way—through the breastmilk I was feeding my son. Also, Nina Planck’s Real Food got me thinking more about a return to eating the way we used to: simply. I wasn’t certain though that my desire to cut out the packaged goods and pick up more fresh, natural food would stick. Like so many other interests I’ve picked up throughout my life, there was a good chance it would end up being just one more thing I would immerse myself in for a short time before casting it aside as just another passing fancy.

Well, it’s only been a couple months so don’t pin a Girl Scout badge of Good Nutrition on me just yet. But I’m happy to report that much of what I was mulling around when I first became interested in ‘whole foods’ has taken root in my day-to-day life and appears to be here to stay. I’ve been buying (and drinking) whole, organic milk. I’ve been seeking out meat from animals not treated with steroids or hormones. I’ve been avoiding pre-packaged snack items at the grocery store and instead (mostly) filling my cart with fresh fruit, nuts, trail mixes and full or low-fat yogurt.

When I crave sweets, which, I’m not going to lie, I do ALL THE TIME, I’ve been steering towards what I believe are better choices: good quality dark chocolate and homemade baked goods. ‘They’ say that dark chocolate is good for you, and I won’t contest that (plus it’s the perfect accompaniment to the also-good-for-you red wine). As for baked goods, yes I know they are not the healthiest option, but when I need my sugar kick, at least I’m getting it from a treat I’ve made myself using only a few simple ingredients (butter, eggs, flour, sugar, etc) and not one laden with chemicals whose names I can’t pronounce.

A few observations about my new eating habits:

  • Being a stay at home mom has made this endeavor infinitely easier, IMO. When I was working and deadlines were looming, I would often grab what was quickest and most easily available to me – either a 100 calorie cupcake pack stashed in my desk drawer or a Twix bar at the corner deli. Also, I simply didn’t have the time to hit a grocery store more than once a week. Now, I can drop into a few different stores throughout the week and maintain a supply of fresh fruit.
  • Surprisingly, I don’t find myself missing many of the foods I used to eat. I can’t remember the last time I had a donut, an order of French fries, or a slice of pizza from a pizzeria. Those were all things I used to eat on a weekly basis. Don’t get me wrong, if you handed me any one of those items tomorrow I’d gladly enjoy it, but I’m finding that I’m just not craving them.
  • This should be a ‘duh’, but I’m finding that when I eat healthier, better quality food, I feel more satisfied afterwards. Nutritionists on morning talk shows and in magazines are constantly telling us that a breakfast the likes of eggs, whole wheat toast and fresh fruit will leave us feeling fuller longer than a giant blueberry muffin. I always dismissed that argument when I was standing in line at Dunkin’ Donuts, salivating over the fresh baked, sugary goodness that was headed my way. But I’m starting to think the health nuts are right. On the days I’ve cut up fresh fruit and dropped it into a bowl of Greek yogurt I’ve managed to sail through the morning with more energy and no hunger pangs.

I don’t know where my interest in whole food will take me. I’m happy that it seems to be a movement that’s gaining some momentum. Food stores are expanding their organic options, the public is having a bit of a backlash against packaged goods, more farmers markets are cropping up. I do still think there is a place in the world for the Golden Arches. Come on, who could resist their fries? But now I think I’ll make them a special occasion treat, and not one of my major food groups.