Deliciously Non-Nutritious
A few months ago, some friends and I went to a church event together and afterwards went to McDonald’s for a little treat.
I got some french fries and was horrified to discover that I no longer liked McDonald’s french fries (also, I know this was a not a fluke because I’d, erm, had some of their french fries just a couple of weeks earlier and noticed that they had this horrible metallic aftertaste).
And, really, this wasn’t an isolated experience. As I’ve gotten older and also as we’ve moved away from processed foods and toward more of a whole foods diet, there are more and more items that I used to like that I no longer have a taste for.
But. . . there are still some horribly junky, processed foods I still love. No matter how much I read about the Western Diet and how we’re on a one-way street to death, no matter how much swiss chard I happily consume, I still love some pretty horrible foods. And I like it.
A brief list, if you will, of foods that I willfully ignore the ingredient labels for:
- Ramen. I know. I just. . .can’t help myself.
- Poptarts. Especially those brown sugar and cinnamon ones and the frosted strawberry ones.
- Cheetos. Only the crunchy ones. But, LOTS of the crunchy ones.
- Rice Krispy Treats. Look, I’ll eat homemade ones or the disgustingly wonderful ones that come packaged from the store. I do not discriminate.
- Fresca. I am deeply opposed to fake sugar. And I don’t even really go for soda. But if someone brings a bottle of Fresca, I will be forced to have some.
- Swiss Rolls. These must be eaten in the following manner: all chocolate coating eaten off. Then the cake unrolled and frosting licked out. Finally eat the cake. I don’t make the rules, I just follow them.
- Teddy Grahams. What, am I five? Yes. Cinnamon, please.
- JIF peanut butter. We only buy natural peanut butter with a two-ingredient list and I like it. But then occasionally I’ll have some regular, corn-syrup laden peanut butter somewhere and I die a little at how much better it is. So smooth and creamy and sweet.
Feel free to share your shameful delicious favorites. Because what I really need right now is a list of more things to crave from the grocery store.
I totally agree with some of those things….not all. Tom and I have also had similar situations as we've changed our diets. Kind of funny huh? Yet I still love cookies & chocolate. Bummer. Wish that craving would go away.
I totally understand where you're coming from with this post! =) I don't even like candy or milk chocolate anymore (just dark) But for me…Doritos. Preferably Cool Ranch or Nacho Cheese! And hot cinnamon rolls or any kind (light or no frosting). And burgers…big, greasy, juicy burgers. The kind where you can see the grease dripping off. Yeah…I don't have cholesterol problems…yet! Haha!
Alesha <3
I love sugar, so home-made treats of all varieties, but as far as overly processed junk, I still love those chocolate pie things that are like $0.50 at the grocery store. And pretty much most candy bars.
Fresca and Fig Newtons! Now I am considering a Fig Newton run. Original, Strawberry, they're all good!
Perfect timing, again. LOL Crispy Cheetos were on sale the other day, so I had to buy two bags. Almost bought cinnamon teddy grahams this morning, but one small box cost 5.39 so No Way. Jif PB, of course, because usually I'm too lazy to stir the natural kind. The other things I live without. The one processed thing that I like so much better than homemade or from the bakery – Franz brand glazed old-fashioned donuts.
Love this, it's so true. I also will forever love that creamy peanut butter. Funfetti Cake, potato chips, french fries (but good ones, like you said, some are just terrible), and funeral potatoes- all that sour cream and cream soups and cheese turn into something that will just always taste so good.
The responses are cracking me up! We like to talk about our guilty pleasures, don't we? 🙂
Cheez-its cannot be beat. I love nearly any kind of chip. And the commenter who mentioned Smitten Kitchen's rice krispie treats is right – they are incredible.
As I read this (and other blogs) I ate an entire bowl of Ramen, and even drank the leftover juice. I'm seriously disgusted with myself right now.
I wrote a comment yesterday, but I was on my dumb laptop, and it just won't let me leave comments on blogs.
I find I'm not as finicky about what I'll eat as what I'll buy. If you over me free garbage, I will most certainly eat it.
When my brother was here with his kids in the summer they bought a box of corn dogs so I wouldn't have to worry about feeding the kids lunch one day. (I guess PBJs were not good enough.) They left the 3/4 full box in my freezer, and Eric and I devoured them. And at work there are usually corn dogs in the freezer for the employees. (Also Easy Mac and Cup'o'Noodles.) I had two corn dogs for lunch today. Plus a ridiculous amount of candy. It was a happy day.
Okay this list made me laugh so loud. I have been a lurker on this blog for a long time but I had to comment because it was just so funny! We are also *trying* to eat a more healthful diet and I have cut out many an item that contains HFCS and other terrible ingredients but then I find myself taking a spoonful of skippy peanut butter or eating Oreos (what is it about those cookies that is just so darn addictive?). I don't drink soda really (and Fresca makes me gag but so does anything with aspertame) and I was sad to discover I don't really like chips anymore, my favourite treat in my younger days 🙁 I can still eat chocolate covered almonds like they are going out of style though. My one silly weakness? Beef Jerky. From Costco (not even sure of the brand). So good when I need a snack.
It is items like these that makes my change to a real foods diet a SLOW but steady one. I almost never buy pop tarts, but when I do, it is the brown sugar & cinnamon ones. Love them (once or twice a year). And I realized in London when I had gone a month without soda and then was stung by a bee in the shower (WHAT? Worst morning ever) that soda had officially become my comfort "food." What can you do?
Agreed about Cheetos! Cheez-Its are my biggest downfall-original or Pepper Jack. Kit Kats and Junior Mints. And sometimes you just cannot beat the rolls of already made cookie dough-eaten as dough, not cookies.