-Bell & Evan’s Air Grilled Breaded Chicken Breast Tenders served with some Food Should Taste Good’s All Natural Blue Corn Tortilla Chips.
-Koyo’s Garlic & Pepper Ramen Organic Noodles
-Healthy Burrito (video link)
I always try to add in a piece of organic fruit, natural sea salted chips or sprouted organic whole grain pretzels as sides. You caught me, I’m not a purist when it comes to gluten free...I will allow my kids and yes, even me, every once in a while to indulge in wheat as long as its sprouted, organic with clean high protein while grains.
Remember that small changes can make a big difference. For instance, get away from sugar added ketchup and switch to Organicville Organic Ketchup made with agave nectar. If you’re going to use deli meats, serve organic nitrate free options like Applegate Turkey Lunchmeat. Be leery of fruit snacks unless they are organic and fruit juice sweetened. My favorites are Annie’s Organic Orchard Cherry Fruit Bites and 365 Everyday Value Pineapple Tidbits.
Know Thy Product
I’m sure you’ve noticed that most food labels are loaded with ingredients we don’t understand, that’s what Google is there for. Unless you know what they mean, you’re apt to purchase products that aren’t the least bit healthy. Here’s a quick reference guide to the more popular terms and buzzwords you’ll be sure to encounter:
Organic – When food is labeled “organic” it means it was grown by farmers using mechanical practices that promote ecological balance and most importantly, without any synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers. In general, organic foods are also not processed using irradiation, industrial solvents, or synthetic food additives.
Non-GMO- GMOs (or “genetically modified organisms”) are organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering, or GE. This relatively new science creates unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacteria and viral genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods. Avoid GMO foods at all cost. Be advised that “organic” always trumps “Non-GMO”. In other words, something can be “non-GMO” but not organic. However, if it’s labeled “organic” it can’t be “GMO”.
Multigrain Bread – The term “multi-grain” can mean anything. Bread made with white processed flour can be classified as “multigrain”. What you want is bread that is “sprouted” and “100% whole wheat”. If it’s made with high fructose corn syrup, walk away.
All Natural – The FDA has no legal definition for the terms “100% natural” or “all natural”. “All natural” means nothing.
Gluten-free – It’s great for people that are allergic to gluten, but savvy marketers are using the term on products that never have had gluten in the first place. So, people see “gluten-free” and immediately think it’s healthy.
Farm Fresh Eggs – Unless you’re getting eggs from chickens living in a condo, all eggs are “farm fresh”. It’s very important to buy eggs that are labeled, “organic”.
Antioxidants – Yes, antioxidants fight free radicals and help ward off disease. However, junk food with “anti-oxidants” is still junk food. The word tricks people into thinking they are eating something that’s good for them.
The good news is that with a little effort, making lunches that are healthy and tasty isn’t that hard. The bad news is that you’ll have to make about 200 of them per year.