The folks at Naturally Savvy are having themselves a revolution and want us to join in. It’s called the “edible (R)evolution”.
A revolution I can eat? Sign me UP! Like all good revolutions; they even have a manifesto. Essentially; what you are revolting against are terrible, harmful chemical additives in your food – and how to avoid them. Arm yourself with a list of the worst ingredients and march into the grocery store. Wait, maybe you should storm into the grocery store. That seems more revolutionary.
Then look at the labels; but not at the nutrition part. At the ingredient part. Who cares how many calories something has is if it is full of chemicals? The field guide to this revolution is Unjunk Your Junk Food: Healthy Alternatives to Conventional Snacks and it has a complete list of the worst ingredients. The ones to destroy (or, I guess just avoiding them would be sufficient. I’m just having a lot of fun with this whole revolution thing.)
I opened my cupboard to see if there were any of “The Scary Seven” {avoid at all costs} in there. They are:
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Trans-fats
- MSG
- Artificial flavors
- Artificial colors (right on!)
- Artificial sweeteners
- Preservatives
The biggest offender was Nutella; with their artificial flavors. My daughter will have to start a 12 step program to kick the habit, but we really should find a hazelnut spread that doesn’t have chemical additives in it!
One thing I learned when reading Unjunk Your Junk Food was that there is a difference between Organic and 100% Organic on a label. Something that is Organic only has to be made with 95% of organic ingredients. Whaa?? What are the other five? That definitely made me start taking a second look at what I thought was a ‘best choice’ when grocery shopping; and might only be a ‘good choice’.
It’s a small book (because it is a field guide, you see) but it is PACKED with information.
MSG and preservatives especially hide behind a lot of different names.They name names and give you blow by blow information about specific brands and products that should be avoided, or that are good alternatives which helps a TON when you are shopping. For example; Fig Netwons have the preservative sulfur dioxide; but Barbara’s Fig Bars are “Naturally Savvy Approved”. There were a lot of brands we don’t have here in ye olde Midwest, though but many of them are available on Amazon.com. I would love to see an app I could use in the store!
You can follow the revolution on Facebook and Twitter. You have the right to eat a treat without chemical additives.
Viva la un-junked junk food R(evolution)!
I received a copy of this book for review. No other compensation was provided. All opinions are my own.
http://blogs.babble.com/family-kitchen/2011/02/24/homemade-nutella-oh-yes/
I haven’t tried this yet, but here’s a recipe for homemade nutella I found on Pinterest!
Jen – to the rescue! I will try that – thank you!
That sounds like an interesting read! When you find a substitution for Nutella, you have to let me know!!!!
Lyuba recently posted..The Sunset Cocktail
I am definitely going to work on it!!
We avoid most of those just by way of food allergies and sensitivities MSG gives me migraines, and when I see “artificial flavors,” I have to pass because I don’t know what exactly those flavors are. With food allergies, you can’t be too safe.
And sulfur dioxide in Fig Newtons? Gross. I haven’t eaten those in years, but I certainly won’t buy a box now. Sulfur dioxide makes me think of high school chemistry class, not snack time.
Amanda @ Confessions From HouseholdSix recently posted..And Breathe.
Fortunately my NT daughter is the one who has the Nutella, um, problem… but my son LOVES Fig Newtons; I know! What does sulfur dioxide have to do with Fig Netwons! We get the Paul Newman ones, “Fig Newman’s”
What a great book, this would be perfect to have handy at the grocery store! (My husband would laugh at the thought of me putting anything else in my purse, haha) It’s quite disturbing how many products have ARTIFICIAL flavors and colors when there is no need for that junk in our bodies. Thanks for sharing!
OK, the HFCS doesn’t count if it’s actually a bottle of corn syrup…right? Right???
Amy recently posted..Who Wants A New Kate Spade Purse?
I read labels on everything. We don’t always eat as healthy as I’d like but we are always striving to improve. This looks like an interesting read!
Christy recently posted..Finding Beauty In the Rain
Wow, thanks for sharing. This looks like a book I would really be into.
Sara @ CleverPinkPirate.com recently posted..Frugal Foodie: Homemade Butter Tutorial w/ Whipping Cream
we’ve been trying to be much healthier in our house. not always easy, right! amazing what you find out when you slow down & read the ingredients lists. The mr. laughed when it was mostly fruits & veggies on the grocery list. sounds like a helpful book & program. visiting from the SF
Theresa @DearCreatives recently posted..Thrifty Tuesday
I have a non-dairy recipe for Nutella that I’ve made if you’d like it. It uses roasted hazelnuts, coconut milk, and unrefined sugar. Good luck getting all that junk out of your cupboard. It takes some time looking over the labels before you catch everything.
Mary @ Fit and Fed recently posted..Homemade Vegan Nutella
Oh YES! Thank you for the recipe! I went out in search of raw hazelnuts today and struck out but I will keep trying; this looks fabulous!
Love this. Will have to order a copy. The Feingold Association gives members an annually updated comprehensive list of foods, brands, and even restaurants that are safe/unsafe for additives like artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. (Btw raisins have preservatives, yuck. And Kashi, made by Kelloggs, is now under fire for using GMOs) For Amanda- Flavorings are made from
petroleum just like colors, and artificial “Vanillin” is a byproduct of the paper mill industry. My child reacts to both colors and flavorings. I write about our struggles and collect personal stories from guest bloggers to help spread awareness. We have quite the supportive community on Facebook as well. Thanks as always for helping out families eith this sometimes overwhelming task of feeding kids a healthy diet!
Rebecca recently posted..Hindsight, Regret & This Dye-Free Parent’s Learning Curve
Congratulations on winning the prize pack! I reviewed this book too and thought it was amazing! !
There is a company that makes the natural form of Nutella called Rawtella. Congrats on your win!
Noelle (@singerinkitchen) recently posted..Memorial Day Highlights