Food
I have always cared about eating well and taking care of my body. I remember when when I was seven or eight asking my dad to explain the nutrtion labels to me, and then being fascinated by looking at them on all different foods.
Some times I care more about it than I do at other times. Sometimes I eat really well and sometimes I eat five granola bars in day and call it good. So, you know, there’s my life.
I look back at what we were eating three or four years ago, and we’ve definitely made big progress. We eat less processed food, more fruits and vegetables, fewer calories, and an overall better balance. We’ve switched to whole wheat pasta and natural peanut butter and whole grain bread. Our fast food consumption has dropped to nearly nothing. We don’t drink soda and we eat a fairly small number of desserts.
But I still wonder where we can improve and what things make a difference and what things I could just let slide?
Is it better to eat a higher calorie yogurt than a yogurt that has food dyes in it? Is it okay to microwave plastic? Is rice syrup any more nutritious than corn syrup? At what point does the higher cost of natural foods outweigh the benefits? Should I be making my own yogurt? My own jam? Less meat?
What do you think? What makes a big difference and what doesn’t matter all that much?
Beans!
Carol, I agree. Brown rice is a tough one. Try soaking your brown rice all day, stirring occasionally and see if it helps. I have enjoyed it much better that way. It still is better when eaten with sauces and such, but I am starting to prefer it over white rice – which is crazy!
I've wondered a lot of the same things. For me it comes down to cost, effort, and health. Unfortunately, in our life right now cost does come into the decisions. Sometimes we can't afford the most healthy option. Sometimes I don't want to spend my entire day making from scratch what I could buy for a lot less money. Ultimately I think moderation is the best policy.
We've gone entirely meat-free at home (except I still eat lunchmeat sometimes, as I am pregnant and I WANT TO DANG IT!) and it's made my husband and I less aggressive and less moody.
Not that we were irrational before, but we've noticed a difference.
I don't believe full-fat hurts anybody who eats lots of fruits and vegetables.