Weight is a large problem in the United States. I see many children over weight or obese. It breaks my heart. No days children sit and play video games and eat unhealthy snacks all day and after school. I understand most households have both parents working at least 40 hours a week and I know it's necessary. Quick fast-food, chips, candy and other store bought fast meals are easier and less time-consuming.
My Story
I've been overweight for 13 years, since the birth of my daughter. I have no self-esteem issues but losing weight is something I am working on. It's a struggle since I can not exercise like many programs want you to, nor can I afford the proper food (costs are too high).
I used food to make me feel better when I was depressed. Many people do and I don't judge. I was never into much candy but chips and dip were my go-to food.
After my son was born, fast-food was easier when I was working. It was also easier to plop my son in front of the TV when I was having a depressive day. I was lucky that he had a fast metabolize and didn't gain weight like others would. As for snacks back then it was fruit snacks with all those nasty ingredients. I didn't know what I was doing to my and my son'd body by doing this.
Once my daughter was born we found out she is allergic to dairy. Bye-bye dip and many of my favorite chips, not to mention most of the boxed cake mixes, brownies and cheesecake. Did you know that pre-packaged sliced meats can have hidden dairy? I didn't either. I had to read every label and found ingredients I couldn't pronounce. That's when it hit me. I was cooking wrong.
I had never allowed my kids to have caffeine nor candy except on special occasions (Halloween). Back then there wasn't Pinterest or Google so I went to the library and checked out tons of recipe books and tried to make everything from scratch like I learned when I stayed on the farm every summer as a kid. It was hard, time-consuming and expensive. So I went back to fast-food. Though I did make sure there was no dairy in anything. That back-fall was due to the fact I went back to school and started working full-time.
When I was forced to stop working because of my health; I returned to trying to eat healthy. I cut the kids' soda intake to a 12 pack a month and one bag of chips a month. Though I stuck to my Mt.Dew® every day. I started using frozen vegetables instead of cans, fresh cut meats and local produce. I lost a little weight and my kids stayed healthier. Once a month the kids got to choose a fast-food place... Guess what it was. Subway. Talk about healthy eating. Their meat has almost no dairy (depends on what you order).
My son & I suffer from migraine. After some time I found that
aspartame was a trigger. It's in tons of things from gum to diet soda. Once I cut it out and taught my kids to look for it our migraines weren't as frequent. Once you read the link above you'll understand. It's terrible on ones body.
The past 3 years I have been more health conscious. I make HOMEMADE crockpot freezer meals. It took some time to find ones both my kids could and would eat. I stopped buying the packets of seasonings (making my own). I cut down on my soda and the only chips I buy are corn chips or
SunChips® .
Last summer I jumped into the new fad of fruit infused water. The ones you buy at the store I couldn't drink (caused migraines) so I bought infusion water bottles and started making my own. It surprised me that I drank less soda and smoked less. I also lost around 10 pounds in 3 months. I added fresh smoothies every morning (with spinach & soy protein). Both helped me feel energized. I was able to cut down my mood stabilizer a little bit and stop taking my sleeping medication. (See doctor to change medications).
Of course when winter hit my water intake dropped and more soda was consumed.
I read "
Big Girls Do It Running" by Jasinda Wilder a few days ago. She makes it simple and easy to change the way you eat. It's also an easy read and she doesn't toss in a lot of technical babble. You don't have to change everything all at once. Because of Jasinda I got back into my water and smoothies. I have been cooking healthier for years but water intake is important. I plan on keeping up with my water intake and cooking healthy throughout the year this time. In the last few days of drinking the fruit infused water I have seen a change in my energy level. Not much but enough to keep up on housework when I'm not in pain.
In short, I drink homemade fruit infused water, fresh smoothies, fresh & frozen fruits & vegetables. I buy my meat from a meat market and make my own seasonings. I add lots of onions & garlic to my food rather than salt (except baked potatoes). Broccoli is a major vegetable I use. Since my son moved out my daughter & I have been eating vegetable snack.
Our apartment complex has a huge garden this year and I plan on making homemade canned spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes, tomatoes sauce and of course salsa since the girls love it.
Disclaimer; I'm not a doctor nor am I an expert. If you feel you have weight issues please see a doctor.
