They’re waging a war against unhealthy school lunches.

Perhaps the most famous lunch crusader is the anonymous Mrs. Q, who took on a project (Fed Up With School Lunch) that garnered her national attention – she decided to start eating the school lunches her students were eating. She also photographed and blogged each lunch, and shined a harsh light on what kids are eating in many schools nationwide.

We asked our facebook fans to weigh in on the issue, and the response was immediate and emphatic! Most of you said you typically pack your kids’ lunches. Bonnie told us about the turning point for her, writing:

“We have always packed their lunches because our daughter has food allergies. We did let them buy on pizza day last year a few times, but that stopped when I volunteered one day at my son’s school.

It was pizza day and the lunch monitors were walking around with GIGANTIC bottles of ranch dressing and pouring it all over the pizza (which didn’t look all that good) for the kids. Some of the kids near where I was sitting actually ate the dressing with a spoon and then they got more put on their tray! It was disgusting to watch and that was the last time we gave money for lunch.”

So, what’s it like in your house? How are the options at your kids’ school? Are you waging your own war on school lunches? Let’s hear your story!

 What do you need to do to get a FREE pantry makeover? It’s simple! Get on the health journey, and then get the reward. You can use your coupon to trade in FIVE unhealthy staples from these five categories: (1) Peanut Butter, (2) Soda, (3) Cereal, (4) Salad Dressing, and (5) Jelly.

 Check out the pantry makeover in action:

Earth Fare Boot Patrol: Pantry Makeover from Earth Fare on Vimeo.

Sign up now for the health journey. Once you register, you can print out the coupon and bring it with you to Earth Fare. (Psst – you can get your pantry makeover even if you’re not in Auburn. Just take your coupon to your local Earth Fare store! We’re all for equal opportunity health!)

 Get my pantry makeover!

James’ Story (in his own words):

 About four weeks ago, my dad was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma brain tumors.  He had them removed, and thankfully, he is doing well and getting ready to start radiation and chemo.  After the surgery, the surgeon came in and started to talk about changing his diet.  I figured that I, his 22 year old son should start this BEFORE I have health problems.

I had been thinking about eating healthier.  I was trying to do this by just being careful with what I bought at the regular grocery store and not buying processed foods.  This became something difficult to find.

My brother introduced me to Earth Fare about one week ago.

When I entered the doors, I felt like a kid in a candy store, except it was all good for me!  I was so happy to finally find a place that I can buy food that is not only good, but also good for me and I don’t have to worry about harmful side affects.  Within the week, I brought my roommate from college showing him all the great things in the store.

This is the beginning of a long, healthy life.  Thank you, Earth Fare, for making healthy eating easy!

Now, other major food producers are following suit.  Say goodbye to HFCS in these products:

• Hunt’s Ketchup (if Hunt’s can, why can’t Heinz?)
• Starbucks Baked Goods
• Gatorade
• Wheat Thin Crackers

From the short list above – a condiment, beverage and crackers – it’s clear that HFCS has invaded a lot of our processed foods!

Why is this so bad?  HFCS is NOT natural!  No matter what the Corn Refiners Association advertisements say, it’s not!  It was created in a lab via chemical processes, and introduced into foods forty years ago.

It’s used because it’s cheaper than real sugar, but is it really worth all the harmful health costs?  HFCS has been linked to the obesity epidemic – it could cause insulin and leptin resistance.  Insulin resistant means the human body does not respond to sugars correctly, and as a result, blood glucose levels can rise.  Leptin resistance means the body does not recognize when it’s full.

Have you booted HFCS?  Have you noticed a difference?  Tell us your story.

But, during this last episode of Glee (yes, I’m a Gleek), I decided to pay attention to the commercials. And. WOW! I was completely shocked by what I saw.

Here’s how it broke down. During the first set of commercials, I saw Red Baron Pan Pizza and Burger King BBQ Ribs. While pizza in moderation is fine, there’s little that’s fine about Burger King’s BBQ Ribs. The sauce is made of high fructose corn syrup! (I’m sure you saw that one coming!) And, even worse, there are 1,290MG OF SODIUM! That’s more than HALF the amount of sodium that you should eat in one day.

The only fresh veggies that I saw during the first GLEE break were the lettuce and tomato. And, considering how those usually look in fast food restaurants, they can hardly be considered FRESH!

And, this was just the first set. The next set was even worse: Coca Cola (HFCS to the max!), Hershey’s Smores, more fast food burgers, steak and Sonic ice cream. And, later, we had M&Ms (here come your artificial colors!), Domino’s, BK Slurpie, Subway, McDonalds…and the list goes on and on and ON!

So, in my humble opinion, YES, TV food ads promote unhealthy diets. What do you think?

Marinda’s Story (in her own words):

It’s hard to believe that my 4 year-old son (now 5) helped the WHOLE family become a lot more healthy. He is very active and has a huge personality.

When I took him to his 4 year physical, I mentioned to the pediatrician that he is very hyper at times, takes me a while to calm him down and doesn’t sleep well at night. He said that it was his diet and he said to cut out 3 important factors: (1) MSG, (2) caffeine and (3) artifical colors. I immediately went home and cleaned out the pantry.

I have really noticed a difference since then and he even seems more mature. So, now when he wants something and I say no, honey it has “colors” in it. He is fine with it because I have told him that is is not healthy for him.

He has adjusted so well and I am so glad I asked the doctor about it….because not only is he healthier, but I have included the WHOLE family in our new way of thinking and have went another step to knock out high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), nitrites, etc and try to buy organic when I can to weed out even more “junk” in my ongoing quest. I am really happy to know I can make a major difference in the health of my families lives.

Do you know what you are really drinking?

Skeptical that food ingredients have become unrecognizable?  Here’s a little trivia: Read the ingredient list below (that is, if you can even read/pronounce it), and name what food it is. 

INGREDIENTS: ENRICHED FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMIN MONONITRATE [VITAMIN B1], RIBOFLAVIN [VITAMIN B2], FOLID ACID), CORN SYRUP, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, DEXTROSE, SOYBEAN AND PALM OIL (WITH TBHQ FOR FRESHNESS), SUGAR, CONTAINS TWO PERCENT OR LESS OF CRACKER MEAL, WHEAT STARCH, SALT, DRIED STRAWBERRIES, DRIED PEARS, DRIED APPLES, CORNSTARCH, LEAVNING (BAKING SODA, SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, MONOCALCIUM PHOSPHATE), MILLED CORN, CITRIC ACID, GELATIN, CARAMEL COLOR, SOY LECITHIN, PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN AND/OR COTTONSEED OIL, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, XANTHAM GUM, MODIFIED WHEAT STARCH, COLOR ADDED, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, RED#40, NIACINAMIDE, REDUCED IRON, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B6), YELLOW#6, RIBOFLAVIN (VITAMIN B2), TRICALCIUM PHOSPHATE, THIAMIN HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B1), TUMERIC COLOR, FOLID ACID, BLUE #1. 

So, what’s the answer?  **drumroll**  Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts!  Surprised?  Don’t worry…who would recognize a list that sounds more like a science lab creation?! 

If Pop-Tarts are such a simple, easy and convenient food, then why are there so many unfamiliar and unhealthy ingredients in it?   There are loads of unhealthy ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils and artificial (means not natural) colors like Yellow #6, Red#40 and Blue#1.

Good for you?

An important fact about ingredient labels is that the ingredients are listed in order of the most prevalent ingredient by weight.  That means, in these Pop-Tarts, enriched flour is the most prevalent ingredient followed by corn syrup (a sugar) and then high fructose corn syrup (an unhealthy, artificial sweetener).  Basically, the bulk of these Pop-Tarts is fiberless flour and unhealthy, unnatural ingredients! 

We all like to enjoy sweet treats once in awhile (and we should!), but we can enjoy these treats without eating so many unhealthy ingredients!   What is your favorite natural sweet treat?

Check back next week for the next part of this series to find out which ingredients you should avoid!

Joseph’s Story (in his own words):

Recently, I was diagnosed with “Corn Allergy,” which simply means that I am allergic to corn.

At first, I thought that eliminating corn from my diet, would be a easy task! In my mind, all I had to do was, stop eating things with corn in the name, like: Corn Flakes, Corn Bread and Pop Corn.

Much to my dismay (and surprise), I discovered that corn is hidden in MANY of the foods that I eat on a regular basis, like: Most Cereals, Condiments, Soft Drinks, Salad Dressing, Peanut Butter and even Orange Juice.

The list goes on and on, but some of the more surprising sources include: Envelope Adhesive, Charcoal Briquettes, Contact Lens Solution, Fresh Fruit (in the wax) and even in Dental Fillings!

Also, watch out for ingredients that are difficult to pronounce, because chances are, they will be derived from corn. I think that it’s not so much a matter of which foods contain corn, rather, which foods do NOT. Just in the past ten years, the United States has increased its corn consumption, by nearly three times.

In two months’ time, my corn-free diet has taken forty pounds off my weight and my blood sugar levels are lower than ever! Thank you, Earth Fare, for your corn-free products!

Earlier this week, Princeton University announced these results from a new study: rats that consumed high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) gained more weight than rats that consumed sucrose (table sugar).   After 6 months of consuming water sweetened with HFCS, the rats gained more body weight around their midsections, and had higher levels of circulating triglycerides (fat). 

While this study’s findings are a next step in unveiling the how unhealthy HFCS is, it also created controversy. 

The Corn Refiners Association immediately published a release citing the study’s unreliability.  Other food scientists and academics also found some weaknesses in the study.  They say the study demonizes HFCS unfairly. 

Tomato Talk recognizes that the study may not be perfect, but the real question is: is it fair to demonize high fructose corn syrup?  Of course, we at Earth Fare think demonizing HFCS is more than fair.  In fact, it is LONG overdue! 

What Princeton University’s study DID accomplish is:

1. It took the next step in helping consumers understand more about the unhealthiness of HFCS. 
2. It is the first long-term study of HFCS in animals.  This is important because humans begin consuming HFCS as children and do so often.  

Read those labels – high-fructose corn syrup is EVERYWHERE!

This study created so much controversy, it is important to understand the science behind the syrup! 

• HFCS is not like table sugar (aka sucrose)!  Table sugar is made up of glucose and fructose that are connected.  HFCS is processed from corn syrup and the glucose and fructose are not connected. 
• Since the molecules are disconnected, the fructose in HFCS is always free (unattached to glucose).
• Fructose is processed differently than glucose.  Fructose is processed by the liver and turned into fat whereas glucose is broken down from food, absorbed in intestines and ready for use as energy by all cells. 
• Unlike glucose, fructose does NOT stimulate insulin secretion or enhance leptin production.  Insulin secretion and leptin production help us feel full and let us know when to stop eating. 

Sucrose molecule – glucose and fructose are bonded.  In HFCS, they are not bonded.

What do you think?  Have you booted HFCS from your diet and noticed any changes? 

“Hungry” to know more?  Sites Earth Fare visited for this post:
(1) High-fructose corn syrup causes characteristics of obesity in rats: Increased body weight, body fat and triglyceride levels
(2) Latest high-fructose corn syrup study generates buzz, debate
(3) HFCS makes rats fat?

So?  What’s the big deal with Saturday cartoon food commercials?  Believe it or not, this kind of aggressive, targeted marketing to children contributes to the childhood obesity epidemic.  It’s not so much the actual advertisement that’s the problem, but the types of foods being advertised that’s the problem.  Most of these foods contain bad ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, trans fats, and/or artificial colors, and they are advertised…over and over again. 

Big food companies spend a large amount of money, $156 million dollars per YEAR, marketing their latest food products (or, shall we say concoctions?)  directly to children.  A study by Yale’s Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity found that the least healthy cereals are the ones most marketed!  Lucky Charms and Froot Loops contain artificial colors, and are two of the most marketed cereals on TV and the internet.  Check out the real transformation in one kid’s life after he booted artificial colors!  Frosted Flakes, also highly marketed on TV and internet, contains high fructose corn syrup, which is NOT natural, and has been linked to obesity. 

Artificially colored, bright cereal — not good for a healthy morning start.  

Creative Design is a better use for it.

When inundated with bright colors and slogans like “They’re grreat!” children are easily influenced in their food choices.  They do not learn about real food with good ingredients versus processed foods with bad ingredients.  Instead, they beg to buy the latest unhealthy cereal because their favorite character is on the box, or because the commercial was “really cool!”  Usually, with enough whining in the cereal aisle, kids get what they want. 

What kid wouldn’t beg for the cereal with a Mickey Mouse toy inside?

So wait, who are the high-fructose containing cereals REALLY “grrreat” for?  They’re certainly not great for children’s health. 

Advertising unhealthy foods has become such a problem that Michelle Obama, as part of her anti-obesity campaign, asked large food companies to make healthier foods and reduce the marketing of unhealthy foods to children.  In fact, she called for increased marketing of healthy foods.

Will marketing healthier foods help?  Is advertising even a problem?

“Hungry” to know more?  Sites Earth Fare visited for this post:
(1) http://tinyurl.com/yek72wv – Cereal f.a.c.t.s. (Food Advertising to Children and Teens Score
(2) http://tinyurl.com/y8ca7cp – “Michelle Obama talks anti-obesity to food giants” (AP)
(3) http://tinyurl.com/6ha84w – “Food Marketing and Childhood Obesity — A Matter of Policy” (New England Journal of Medicine)
(4) http://tinyurl.com/yll3zwt – “U-M Researcher Says Preschoolers Understand the Power of Advertising” (University of Michigan)
(5) http://tinyurl.com/yat8ghq – “Food Marketing to Children and Youth: Threat or Opportunity?” (IOM)