Ho Hos and nuggets and Dew, oh my

HERE’S A FUNNY TIDBIT: Two-thirds of calories consumed by children and adolescents in 2018 came from ultra-processed foods according to a peer-reviewed study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Think Cheetos, Ho Hos, Pepsi, Butterfingers, Wonder bread, Oreos, cakes, Lucky Charms, Campbell’s soups, chicken nuggets, sausages, and, well, you get the idea. It’s that so-called food that doesn’t really look like anything in nature, at least not anything that you would ID as food or it’s “food” that has a bunch of additives like some form of salt and sugar that change it, usually to make it more exciting for our tastebuds.

I didn’t really mean funny ha-ha on that tidbit. Let’s start with not ultra-processed food or as your grandparents called it—food. Take a carrot. Even with the greens cut off and scrubbed and stuck in a bag with other carrots (so some processing), it still pretty much looks like a carrot. Even those little carrots that are all smooth and rounded still pretty much look and taste like carrots.

So what’s the big deal? That ultra-processed stuff is really tasty, especially that frozen pizza we popped in the oven then washed down with some Mountain Dew when we’re all sitting there watching a movie together on a Friday night after a long week. In fact, let’s munch some Cheetos as the movie plays on. Mmmmm. Maybe some M&Ms for dessert. My mouth is watering already!

Except that it’s not really. I know that when I eat good food, I feel better. I have more energy. I think more clearly. I can run and jump and sing better. When I get into trouble is when I stop making choices, when I just eat what’s ever convenient and easy. I gained 12 pounds from November 1 last year until January 1, 2023. And why? Something quirked. Ice cream is on sale. Done. Big bag of chips looks good. Done. Seconds, thirds…done! Another glass of wine. Done.

Running got harder. Thinking got muddier. I felt groggier in the mornings. My joints hurt from inflammation. I had to nap every afternoon (which I kind of like anyway). It’s just so clear and yet, we tend to see what we want to see. I blamed it on “a bug” going around. I blamed it on not enough sleep.

Then in January, I turned the page to the other extreme and watched everything that I ate and drank. It didn’t take long until I felt my energy return and my body feel better. It was just so clear, but for me, at least, it’ not sustainable to live like a monk and so I’ve slowly been adding in the “stuff of life” because, at heart, I am a bon vivant and like to enjoy.

Please read Lynn U. Nichols story: 3 tips for eating healthy, fast. It will put you or keep you and your family on the road to healthy eating. As the old adage says, you are what you eat. And who wants to be a Vienna Sausage, after all.

Bon appetit, Scott

MARCH 2023 • Volume 26, Issue 10

PUBLISHER

Scott Titterington, (970)221-9210 scott.rmpublishing@gmail.com

EDITOR

Kristin Titterington, (970)221-9210 kristin.rmpublishing@gmail.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Emily Zaynard emily.rmpublishing@gmail.com

ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR

Greg Hoffman, (970)689-6832 greg.rmpublishing@gmail.com

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Susan Harting susan.rmpublishing@gmail.com

COVER PHOTO

Cheri Schonfeld courtesy of Sky's Open Design www.skysopendesign.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Theresa Baer, Lea Hanson, Katie Harris, Lynn U. Nichols

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PUBLISHING

PO Box 740 Fort Collins, CO 80522 Voice 221-9210 • Fax 221-8556 editor@rockymountainpub.com www.RMParent.com

Rocky Mountain Parent magazine is published monthly by Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. Publication of this paper does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised. RMP reserves the right to refuse any advertisement for any reason. The opinions expressed by contributors or writers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Rocky Mountain Publishing. ©2023 Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without express written permission is prohibited.

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