S.C.
answers from
Des Moines
on
-
Q&A
Get advice from millions of moms -
Timeline
See what’s coming up for your child
We have a reoccuring problem in my house of family members over eating on expensive foods that are not meant to be ate mindlessly. Between the daycare and the family it's even hard sometimes to keep enough ingredients around for meals without needing to run back out for more. So today I had an idea. I was thinking about how I need to run back to Sams for my commercial paper towels in a week or so. Since I had just made yogurt parfeit for the kids in boring old bowls I thought about the containers they use at McDonald's that are see through and how much the kids enjoy those. Then I thought about how the last time I bought one of those yummy bags of mixed berries they were gone in 24 hours! It was a BIG bag.
I'm going to do it. I'm going to buy a lot of those cups and don't worry, I will wash them and re-use them. I don't want to add more of that stuff to our land fills.
I started thinking about how convenient it can be to just grab the food already and especially since my family loves to eat on the go, take it to work or go to the park with it. So I've thought about fruit cups, yogurt parfaits, trail mix, crackers and cheese, fruit and jello and I need more ideas.
Does anyone know a way to make jello more healthy? I was quite surprised to see how many people were so against soda one day and then how many people were putting out their wonderful fattening sounding macaroni and cheese recipes just a few days later. That's so funny since both are complete junk and yet both are loved by most. I never make jello because it's just sugar and I REFUSE to use fake sugar which I happen to think is the devils plan to give us all cancer.... Does anyone make jello with fruit juice and that plain jello that's in the stores?
I even thought about how nice it would be to slice up some bananas and other fruits, put cereal in the cup and then when it's time to eat grab them, add some milk and give the kids a spoon.
What else am I missing?
I'm not a huge fan of tupperware. My mother sold it for years and I have too. It seems expensive for what it is. There are plenty of supposedly clear containers out there. But I'm going for pretty as much as portion control. In fact, portion control was really my 2nd thought. My first thought was how fun the kids would think having those containers are. On my way to the airport this week I knew my 21 year old and her boyfriend had been at the airport all day without anything to eat. So I stopped to get them something. I bought those big containers of fruit that are so pretty and already diced up. So that's been in my mind too. We rarely ever break them but we do throw them out because of space. So I guess I'll have to organize my kitchen to make room or just keep them full all the time.
I'll have to experiment with the fruit. We use everything so fast in this house that I can't imagine spoiling being an issue. We have bought those McDonald's parfait cups and they have been in the fridge for a couple of days. The cereal is added after. So I know I'd need to do that. I'll experiment. Maybe it's a matter of breaking the frozen fruit down in advance and hiding some in the basement freezer under some stuff. I don't know. I just know what food is out of control. Yesterday I looked at my receipt after I got home and I spent like 25-30 dollars on cheese alone. Then this morning my husband walked through with a huge chunk of cheese just eating it like it was a banana or an apple or something.
Interesting plan, worth trying and tweaking. A couple of thoughts I don't think you want to mix fuits and ceral and then try to store it that way. Another idea that isn't as labor intensive for you. If you are going for portion control what about measuring cups the family uses to dish out portions?
I can see this idea you talkedc about working to save time in the morning but don't know how it would stop someone like a teenager or Adult from taking more than one package if they don't want to go along. I guess what you need to do to make this (or any plan) successful is make sure everyone understands and is onboard with why you need to try this plan.
About soda. My understanding is not only does it displace drinking healthier beverages or water, it causes other minerals not to be absorbed in the body. One of those is calcium which has been found to be important in most vitamin absorption. So it's not only that soda is not a nutritious drink, it has an even broader detrimental affect on your body.
Take care! Good luck with your plan and let us know the tweaks you think of.
For one thing, you can make your own yogurt, this will make it easier to replenish your stock instead of always having to run to the store, and it's healthier/cheaper.
http://www.makeyourownyogurt.com/
Also, instead of getting the Mc D's cups, you can buy Tupperware cups with lids that will hold up and last longer. Those Mc D cups won't last many washings/outings on the go.
You can use stevia, it's a natural sugar, not that horrid aspartame sweet n lo junk.
Also, you can buy sugar free Jello.
I buy tons of fruit and veggies. If they start to get too ripe, then I bake with them (like last night I made banana blueberry muffins) or make a veggie/spaghetti sauce at the end of the week so nothing is wasted.
I have a little box of grab n go snacks. Trail mix, raisins, pretzels, rice cakes, dehydrated fruit/veggie mixes, unsalted popcorn, granola bites...
As far as teaching people to not take more than their ration, maybe they can have their own little box so when they are out, their snacks for the day is done. You will just have to figure out consequences for those that sneak other people's portions.
I agree with the differences posted about natural cane sugar & artificial sweeteners....I do not serve children artificial, & try to avoid it myself. As far as I'm concerned diabetes is the only reason to use these products. (or other more obscure medical needs.)
Be very aware that most "no sugar added" or "sugar-free" products do contain artificial sweeteners. Read the labels carefully. Have you ever tried Knox unflavored gelatin....I've never read the label, but it's the original product offered before all of the Jello on the market. That might be an option which you can flavor with fruit & juices.
& while your fruit/cereal combo sounds like a good idea, the cereal will become soggy & the fruit will spoil. I also think the time you spend prepping all of these setups will become time-consuming. So, here's another thought: what if you prepared a fruit salad, tossed in lemon juice to prevent browning.....& added that to the bowl of cereal? Or you could do as my Mom does.....she creates her own mix of dried fruit/nuts/choc chips & sprinkles that on her cereal. & here's what's cool about Mom's method: she checks the levels of fats/etc on each product & creates her own mix geared toward bettering her cholesterol/lipid levels.....to the point that her dr has decreased her meds! Tasty & good for her!
Here's what I do when I return from the grocery store: all vegies are prepped & placed in glass containers. All dry products are placed in glass containers, cardboard recycled. All fruit is prepped, if possible.....for example, the watermelon is cut up....the grapes are removed from the stem & washed. All other fruit is left on a platter on the island...unless it stores better in the frig (like the grapes/strawberries/etc). I use glass simply because I prefer it over plastics.
I know most of this does not help with your need for portion control. My answers are geared more toward storage & prep....but I have found that we do eat better when I do this. :)
You are missing the cups filled with m & m's, skittles, and pretzels. JUST KIDDING!! Just had to say that you made me laugh, I do remember the soda question, and I also submitted a deadly mac & cheese recipe.
You also reminded me of some great parfait's that I have made in the past, and they went fast!! I just have to tell you about them!!
1 lg container plain yogurt
1 pkg sugar free cheesecake pudding, mix it with 1 cup milk
then mix them together, and layer them in a parfait cup, with mixed
fruit and granola. YUMMY!!!
As a sidenote, my husband agrees with you, and believe's fake sugar is the devil too!! He says we're all gonna get diabetes, and the government is gonna hold our insulin over our heads and make us jump through hoops to get it!! That why we have to keep eating healthy...........
It sounds like you are trying to be very creative and that is awesome. I believe you have eight people in your home as well as a ton of daycare kids coming and going....food is going to go fast. Also, you need to let your adult daughter figure out how to eat if she is away from home for the day, she can do it and you will be much happier. If my 18 year old daughter is going to the beach all day, I figure she can handle her food as well.
I've used plain jello and added juice and fruit. Very yummy!! You can also make healthy muffins and store them in the freezer. =D I love your idea. I also cut up fruits and veggies and leave them on plate on the counter. I homeschool and the kids will usually eat them gone by lunch.
We now have six people in our house...and nothing last very long as four of the six are home all day long. No ideas for you but would love to strategize more with you.
I am going to go to the Dollar Tree and buy the plastic containers there and use those. We love yogurt fruit salad here and eat by the bowl full. but I seem to be always cutting, buying more yogurt and fruit every few days.
