Change in Diet

As those of you with kids know, being a Mom changes your way of thinking about everything. When I'm feeding Holt his solids, I realize how pure he is. He has not ingested anything processed or artificial. (With maybe the exception of his organic rice cereal and oatmeal). I planned to make his own baby food, not only for the savings, but for the nutritional value. This didn't happen, yet. Once I saw the only ingredients in the baby food was in fact the vegetable mixed with water, I realized it was okay. As I raise my son, I realize how much processed food is around us. It is advertised everywhere. Grocery stores are larger than they used to be to house this type of food. What did our mom's give us as snacks when we grew up? What did their moms give them as snacks when they grew up? I guarantee you it didn't come packaged.

Holt is so empty and pure of these unpronounceable additives, that I question how long I can keep it that way. I'm not a proponent of organic or gluten free or anything extreme like that, but I do think you can simplify the food you put into your body. Once you add something back into their diet they aren't used to, like gluten, that has got to take a toll on their digestive system. I don't want to create a monster by keeping him from certain natural ingredients, I am just saying, I want to change my ways so I can be a good example for him. Kyle asked me what I ate yesterday and how much of it was processed. Unfortunately, everything I consumed yesterday had been processed. Right down to the dinner from a box we had. If you think about that, it is truly just wrong you can consume something from a box.

Kyle and I watched Dateline last week and they talked about The Caveman Diet. A diet that consisted of meat, fish, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables. He really wants to try and adopt some of this into our lives. I must say, I agree. I heard a dietitian say once, if you can unwrap it, don't eat it. I wish we lived closer to a Whole Food or Central Market so I could get more fresh ingredients. The produce at the stores around me is terrible. I don't think we can cut everything processed from our diets, but it is motivating for me to try and think outside the box. Literally. I'm not a fan of fish, but I can certainly keep trying different ones until I like it.

Shame on me if I turn to yogurt in a tube and sugary snacks wrapped in packaging to keep him fulfilled. Our moms didn't do it for us, so just because it is convenient these days, doesn't mean we should cave in to the marketing ploys. Don't get me wrong, there will be days as he grows where he will enjoy some of these types of snacks and foods, I just don't want it to be a staple. He will enjoy fruit snacks, granola bars, cookies, ice cream, etc. and I will continue to enjoy them as well. I am just going to make a more conscious effort to eat less processed foods, and more whole foods for the overall health of my family.