Anyone get sick when they see how long the line to MCDonalds still is?????

Stephanie - posted on 12/03/2008

I would also highly recommend The future of food (on DVD). I have shown it to my introductory botany students for 3 years now and they always seem to get a lot out of it. There is definitely a bias (which I agree with), but a lot of very important facts. If anyone watches it and want to discuss it, I'd love to. I'd be happy to discuss In defense of Food too.

Meg - posted on 12/03/2008

Haven't people seen Super Size Me???? I think that Mickey D's or "Uncle Donalds" as my 4 year old (who had never eaten there calls it!) is trying to make it seem like there are those healthier options now! But in truth, if you were to ask for one of those ingredient list things from behind the counter....the perservatives or sugars would be added to those "healthy" items?!?!? Really anything that comes in a package ISN'T healthy! It isn't something that our G.G. Grandparents would recognize as food! They made everything at home or didn't eat!!! For those of us that don't have the time to make things from scratch...There are options out there...you just have to be VERY carefull! In Defense of Food: an Eaters Manifesto sums everything up!!!! Be well! Eat healthy and choose carefully!!!!

Nettie - posted on 12/02/2008

I cringe when I'm at the grocery store and see 3, 5 boxes of soda in someone's cart! That's one thing I find very easy to live w/out. But I still need lots of work on reading labels and preparing truly healthy foods. Truly healthy, because I do cook at home, but I can't stay away from chocolate and sugar!!

Christine - posted on 11/28/2008

The more I read the more I see how we are not only not informed but also misinformed. The information we are receiving from the various forms of media is in my opinion not accurate. The truth does not get out for a variety of reasons one being that it is not profitable. I think we have to search out the truth. Time consuming but worth it. It sort of makes me sick to go to the grocery store lately, seeing the amount of processed things they can package and sell as food. Then to see people walking by with carts full of junk. It makes me pretty sad.
I try to do the best I can for my family and share with friends some of the things I've learned. Maybe it is just in my little world but I see friends starting to think more about what they are eating and feeding their kids. I have noticed local grocery stores starting to offer a few more organic options at more reasonable prices. Maybe things are starting to change a little.
A quick note on the comment Stephanie made about the three yr old drinking soda and eating chips at 9am. A relative of mine lets her 2 yr old drink soda, ah it kills me. Then she let her eat cheese fries for dinner (and that was it)!!!
For me it all started when I was trying to eliminate artificial colors, flavors and preservatives for my son with the thought maybe it was affecting his behavior. That begun lots of reading and research. I have learned so much more about health and nutrition. I only wish I had known earlier. I cringe thinking of what I've fed my 3 and 5 yr olds up unto this point.
Back to the original question...yes I do get sick to see all the people in line at Mac Donalds. I do not think once in a while will kill you, but why would you not want to take every opportunity to feed your children food that will give them what they need for good health?

Terri - posted on 11/24/2008

We do McDonald's once in a while as a treat. The one by us also has the play area, which is really what my daughter wants. She could care less about the food. She'd be happy with a PBJ, as long as she could play with all of her "friends", but, I don't think people are necessarily mis-informed. In this day and age, how could they be? I think we are a society of "want it now", and instant satisfaction, and if the kids are screaming and hungry, that instant satisfaction, sorry to say, is McDonald's or any of the other fast food places. It's all about control.

Breanna - posted on 11/23/2008

There are some healthy options at macdonalds now, i think once in a while is ok.

Kamela - posted on 11/21/2008

i think thye are uneducated on the whole thing. My kids still ask for mickey d's but i refuse. I have pretty much cut out fast food all together.

Then people wonder why their kids misbehave, stay with colds/infections, etc as Stephanie said we are what we eat. If they are eating chios and soda in the morning they are going to grow up doing the same thing and then they will have their kids doing it...the cycle won't stop

Stephanie - posted on 11/21/2008

The other day I was on a bus and saw a 3 year old boy. He was drinking soda and eating chips at 9:00 am. He complained that he was hungry, so the mom asked where the nearest McDonald's was. It broke my heart. I definitely understand your concern.

I think a lot of people don't understand that we truly are what we eat! Also, I think some families don't have time, money or energy to believe what they hear. I try to make all organic food from scratch, and I know it would often be cheaper (not to mention easier) to just get a family meal to go. I think we are fortunate that we have to the motivation and time to inform ourselves. And even luckier that we are able to make the sacrifices (cost, time) to keep our families healthy. Our society doesn't help--it is filled with quick easy options and most are not the best for us. But unless you are a label-reader, you'd never guess if from the packaging! And unfortunately the ready-made meals that are healthy, are expensive. As my husband and I are both graduate students, we really can't afford them.