Today as I was looking through my newsfeed on Facebook, I came across a friend's post that made me want to scream. "40% of American children are considered overweight. 16% are already classified as obese." Say what?!? I mean, that ought to make you scream too. It breaks my heart and makes me mad all at the same time. I mean, what are we doing America? Driving through the golden arches for a "quick" meal. Grabbing that nice boxed up "all in one" dinner from the grocery shelves. Stocking up on the cheap "noodles in a bag". Cracking open that can of what is trying to pass as "Italian" food. I know it may seem as if I am coming off a bit harsh, but this is something that I am very passionate about. I won't lie and tell you that I have never enjoyed any of these food products, but I also am not going to tell you that "it's all good." Let's face it folks, we know it's not "all good."
Have you ever read the label on the food products that you place in your buggy at the grocery store? I am a label freak. (My husband and family can testify to that.) The sodium content in some of these products is outrageous. The sodium content for a package of the shrimp ramen noodles is 1040 mg, and 240 calories (completely empty calories)! That is almost all of the recommended daily sodium intake. The sodium in the cheeseburger Hamburger Helper is 913.5 mg! The sodium found in a can of Chef Boryardee ravioli is 900 mg, with 240 calories (empty ones again)! The Institute of Medicine recommends that the daily intake of sodium for one person should be no more than 1500 mg (that is per day, not per meal folks). And the current American dietary guidelines suggest no more than 2300 mg of sodium per day. If you are over 51 years of age, African American, have diabetes, or have chronic kidney disease then it is recommended that you have no more than 1500 mg of sodium per day. I know I am on a sodium kick, but it is one of the things I look for when purchasing food at the grocery store. I like salt. I mean, it DOES make food taste pretty good, but I don't like too much of it. And if you have heart health issues, then you definitely want to watch the salt.
These foods all make us think that they are quick and easy, and some even claim to be nutritional for our families. It's all lies though. It's a myth that we have all been fed by our culture. I don't do the "all in one meals from a box" in our house. When we want mashed potatoes, I buy a bag of potatoes and make homemade. When we want an "all in one meal", I take out my crockpot (which I am utilizing today). I won't tell you that we never grace the doors of a drive-thru. I mean, I understand that sometimes it happens. I do my best, though, to provide my family with most nutritional meals that I can possibly give them. I want my kids to be fed the nutrients that their growing bodies need. I want my husband to have the fuel for his body, in order for him to be able to get done what he needs to get done for the day. I want for our kids to grow up knowing that we, as their parents, did the best to take care of them. I want our kids to grow up and do the same for their kids. And above all, I want to take care of what God has blessed us with. Our bodies are temples for the Holy Spirit. I want to take care of my body, and my family, to the best of my ability for the glory of God. So, if that means I have to search online for meal ideas, purchase healthy magazines, swap recipes, and educate myself on healthy habits, in order to provide my family with healthy meal & snack options, then that is what I will do.
Please, know that I am not trying to bash anyone or make anyone feel bad. I just want to share my thoughts, and help spread awareness to the trend of obesity that is growing. I want to help people in making good healthy choices for themselves and their families. I feel very passionate about this, and just want to do my best in helping others. We're in this together folks, one healthy choice at a time.
Grace & Peace, Jac
*You can email me at jaclynturner1@beachbodycoach.com
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