Nutrition Hungry Mom

Why do I call myself a "Nutrition-Hungry Mom"?  

I strive to help others become nutrition-conscious.  In life, we cannot have control over everything, but we can control the foods we consume!!  Do not turn your body into a wasteland!  Many of us like a clean home to live in and do all that we can to keep dirt & germs out - we sanitize, dust, vacuum, de-clutter, etc.  Now, how about using this relative approach with our body! 

For those that know me, I am pretty nutrition-crazed.  I love unprocessed, all-natural foods and encourage nutritious eating in a delicious way!  From the moment my daughter started to eat the same foods my husband and I eat, she was given all-natural foods packed with the highest nutritional value.  Now, my daughter is 3.5 years old and she opens the fridge interested to eat fruits, vegetables, poultry, grains, lean-meats, and lean dairy products.  Because of what I stock my refrigerator and pantry/cabinets with, my daughter only sees nutritious foods, so that is what she asks for.  

People have asked me time and time again, how do you get your daughter to eat so nutritiously?  The answer is, "my husband and I had to set the example immediately because we were the first ones she would learn from and because of that our refrigerator and pantry/cabinets are filled with nutrition-packed foods...NOT JUNK".  Many of us who are parents know how impressionable kids are and that they look up to us, so whatever we are eating, they usually want, too!  I truly get disappointed, when I see parents give their kids sodas,  sugar-packed mixed coffee drinks and excessive amounts of sweets.  Why?  Kids are already naturally energetic and do not need artificial energizers (ie: caffeine and sugar).  I have even talked to people that asked me about my eating habits because they would like to change something about theirs, so I tell them all that I consume: all-natural foods, high protein, low carbs, high-fiber, whole grains and avoid fast-food places & excessive amounts of sugar.  It is funny because they tell me that they already do that, but also tell me that they are having problems with their weight, so that leaves me to think..."are they really doing what they say they are doing"?  I can pretty much guarantee you that if I was to look at their refrigerator, pantry and/or cabinets, I would see the following: processed foods, sodas, pre-made frozen dinners, chips, cookies, etc.  Just recently, I was at the store and overheard a couple ladies discussing, which protein bars to choose and were talking about their diet plan.  I could not help but look in their shopping cart and saw a large pack of Dr. Pepper cans amongst other processed foods.  Of course I thought to myself that if one is on the road to a nutritious lifestyle, protein bars, sodas and processed food will not get you there!  First of all, I do not consider protein bars a source of nutrition, processed foods are completely un-natural and sodas are just plain terrible for you.  




In this post I also want to tackle the common false-hood: eating nutritiously is expensive!  Let me re-iterate: "eating healthy is not expensive"; "eating nutritiously is not expensive".    My husband and I have this discussion all the time and surely, many of you true "health nuts" agree that it is not expensive and also agree with the next point I will make!  Eating all-natural, unprocessed foods is not only less-expensive in the present, but will also be less-expensive in the future (ie: higher medical bills).  Consuming foods that have absolutely no nutritional value (ie: processed foods, fast foods, etc.) will leave you more hungry, which causes one to eat more.  Consuming nutritious, excellent quality, all-natural foods will give one the natural fill one needs and will save one from future medical bills caused by unhealthy eating habits.  Purchasing more natural foods, such as vegetables, fruits, fresh poultry, fresh fish and fresh meats will provide one with the dietary fill the body needs, so craving junk becomes minimized. 

• Keep a nutritiously-packed refrigerator and cabinets/pantry!
• No sodas: only water, milk, naturally made juices in blender (with fruits & vegetables)
• Purchase a variety of foods: salmon, chicken breasts, lean read meats, lean turkey, eggs
• Many colorful vegetables and leafy greens: carrots, broccoli, green beans, peas, kale, spinach, etc.
• Fruits: fresh and frozen
• Dairy: milk, Greek yogurt, cheese
• Cook with fresh/dried herbs and salt-free/low-sodium seasonings
• Limit processed foods and junk foods with no nutritional value
• Disappointing news: Several snacks out there that promote "healthy" are really not...read labels and do your research!!

One last thing, nutritious eating does not mean individuals and families have to always be shopping at Whole Foods or any high-end health foods store.  It means being conscious of products we purchase and consume.  The human body is not a landfill - it should not be treated as one!  One of the ways our family saves on all-natural products for health and wellness needs is the following.  Our family has saved immensely by shopping through this site Vitacost (free shipping after $49 shopping carts).  I can stock up for 5 months and save loads of money!  A lot of the items sold are items that health food stores (ie: Whole Foods, etc.) carry and a much higher cost.  Check them out:



Stay tuned for my "Nutrition Hungry Children" blog post.

Thanks For Reading the "Nutrition Hungry Mom" blog!  Have a blessed day!