Processed food… RANT ALERT!

So I have two clients  doing a clean eating challenge this month and so far they are kicking butt!  You guys rock!  Because of this, we have had numerous discussions  as to how DIFFICULT it is to eat clean in our society.  They are right.  It is possible, but annoyingly hard.  It seems that every where you go, people eat crap because that is all that is offered and that is the norm.  This is something that has always frustrated the hell out of me.

Let me give you an example.  I had some back to back college fairs yesterday and usually the high schools offer a hospitality room, treats or breakfast for all us college reps.  What do you think kind of food is brought in?  Doughnuts, cupcakes, cookies, bagels, chips…JUNK.  Don’t get me wrong I appreciate the gesture from the schools, but this is the reason I bring all my own meals and snacks to fairs- despite the weird looks I get.  What do you think the college reps who were perhaps running late into the fair, had not eaten breakfast yet or eaten all day for that matter and are exhausted are going to do?  Eat the junk, because it’s there and everybody else is eating it, so it can’t be that bad right?  Processed food is taking over.  It is taking over so much that people THINK they are making a healthy choices by eating things like lean cuisines, or Chex Mix.  These are not healthy.  If you are in a bind and need something, fine.  But consuming things like this on a regular basis is NOT GOOD.

A “goody bag” from a college fair

I am convinced that the reason this country is so disease ridden, is because of all the chemicals and crap we put in our body on a daily basis. Now, please know I am just a mere blogger and I have no research to back this but I still personally believe it.   Ever look at the back of an ingredient list?  If there are several things you cannot pronounce and have no clue what they are, avoid it.  When shopping at the grocery store, the majority of your items should come from outside of the aisles.  The more you go into the aisles, the more processed it gets. Now, clearly by now you all know I love me some sweets, so I am guilty just like the rest of them.  However, this is a rare treat  for myself and absolutely NOT an everyday occasion.

“Low fat” Cheddar Chex Mix.  Nice marketing ploy, disgusting.

What IS clean eating?  Check this diagram out below, it is pretty clear cut.  If you are buying any packaged foods, check the ingredients on the back.  If there are more than 5 ingredients, put it back down.  Even if it says “low fat” or “healthy”.

I am constantly frustrated at the lack of choices provided to people who want or are trying to eat clean.  But that being said, I am also frustrated by people who complain about how they look and then continue to make poor choices.

“But JILL, I am SO busy, I don’t have time to cook.” You know what that says to me?  “My health and my family’s health is not a priority.”  Might sound harsh, sorry if it does.  But there is someone out there busier than you, making healthier choices.  Fact.   Set yourself up for success by planning out your meals each week, so that you don’t find yourself in a situation where it is 1pm, you realized you have not eaten all day, your blood sugar is low and those M & Ms sound like a great idea as a lunch.

Eat simply and Eat fresh.  No that does not mean you have to live off salads.  There is an amazing amount of yummy clean food out there that will satisfy you.  You will have to order off the menu sometimes.  You will get weird looks.  You will get people that say “Are you on a diet or something?” or my personal favorite “You can afford to eat that, you workout”.  Why is it SO wrong for us to put good things in our body just because?  WHY do we have to make a big stink about it when others are trying to make healthy changes?  I don’t care if you have weight to lose or not, eating right is not about having a model body, it’s about treating this one body you have with respect, so that you can be your best self.

Again, this does not mean pizza and ice cream and alcohol are the devil as I indulge in all three of those things.  It is about making sure at least 80% of what you put in your body is good, that 20% can be fun as long as it is not everyday.

Look around… there are more people overweight and unhealthy than there are NOT.  It is sad.  It is a problem.  Having chronic health problems is now a norm of our society and that makes me seriously enraged.  TAKE OWNERSHIP OF YOUR OWN HEALTH.  Being healthy unfortunately means you might be the minority.  I know it is tough,  it is a constant battle,  a constant choice to not give in, believe me I KNOW.  But if you are willing to make the commitment, it is worth it.

Rant over.