I’ve started a series called a Confessions of a Nutritionist to get out things out of my chest about nutrition issues that matters to me.
My mom makes everything from scratch
Jams, chicken broth, cakes, pastries, sauces, and marinades. and when she can’t make it herself, she will buy it from trusted people, who make things from scratch too. My family got milk, and yogurt from a farmer we know, for more than 20 years now! White Cheese from a family (they have lambs) for more than 25 years now. Also, one of the family members, she brought mom fresh veggies now. kind of like from a farmer market. Mom doesn’t use any canned food at all. (Except sardines, I have no idea why), no dressings at all. so no processed food at all, and I mean it.
When I left my family house to get married, I became the one who is responsible for grocery shopping. I was shocked by the huge amounts of frozen food. Especially desserts, and pizza. I was thinking of saving all time, and get it all to myself. Imagining doing things more productive (or mostly fun). I had many frozen pizza, crusted chicken for frying, and that’s I’m not proud of. Now to me, frozen pizza, is really tastes gross! I hate to say that food is gross, but this is not even a real food. I used (I still use it sometimes) dry bouillon cubes for broth sometimes. I used canned food and so on.
I feel ashamed, when I know that mom always make her own food. I’ve changed my habits of eating years ago when I really had to (read my story here). I replaced caned beans with dried (some I can’t find dried ones) to reduce the exposure of BPA and salt. I made my own nut butter, it’s really easy to make it at home, and you may end baking fresh cookies. and making more scratch food is one of my resolutions.
There are lots of packaged food, that I can’t list it under food items. I see some dietitians defend them, because they are convenient, and can be healthy. Yes,maybe not all of them are bad. It may even cost less. But come on, how a ready made pie costs less than four dollars? What do they put in there? If you will make it a home, it will definitely cost more than that!
I love this post 10 foods I don’t make from scratch by Suzy a nutritionist. She said that some stuff are unrealistic to make at home, and time consuming. Some of these choices may sound not so hard to make, but vinegar? And soy sauce? I agree with her on that.
For me it depends, if it something I’ll use it often like salad dressings, I’m gonna make it. And also depends on how bad it can be when its processed. like cake or pancake mixes (I prefer to make my own) they have so many sugars, colorants, and stabilizers, and additives to give it a longer shelf life, and much more. So it’s a Big No!
I understand that our lives are getting busier than ever before. But we should make our health a priority! Many products you can make easily at home. Such as marinades, spice mixes, dressings, and much more. Cooking can be relaxing, and fun. Getting fresh real food will help you makes healthy food more exciting, flavorful, and delicious. Cooking can be stressful at the beginning, but once you are into it, you will have limitless options. And you will train your taste buds with good real flavor. And you know what? Making a great meal is really rewarding!
What food you make from the scratch? What processed food do you buy?
