LUNCHABLES and Our Brain

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I'm sorry to inform you that Oscar Meyer lunchables are one of the WORST "foods" you can give to your children. I feel like I need to go back to my chemistry classes to read the ingredient list! By cramming in a dessert and a juice box, Oscar Meyer manages to push it to the limit with this already "brain deteriorating" plastic package with more sugar than your child should take in all week. This meal has the sugar equivalent of 10 jelly-filled doughnuts! In 1960 we consumed only 2 tsp of sugar a day, in 2011 we now consume over 63 tsp. NOT COOL!


Ingredients: ROAST WHITE TURKEY - CURED - SMOKE FLAVOR ADDED - WHITE TURKEY, WATER, POTASSIUM LACTATE, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF SALT, DEXTROSE, CARRAGEENAN, SODIUM PHOSPHATES, SODIUM DIACETATE, SODIUM ASCORBATE, SMOKE FLAVOR, SODIUM NITRITE, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR. PASTEURIZED PREPARED CHEDDAR CHEESE PRODUCT - MILK, WHEY, MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, MILKFAT, SODIUM CITRATE, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF SALT, LACTIC ACID, SORBIC ACID AS A PRESERVATIVE, OLEORESIN PAPRIKA (COLOR), ANNATTO (COLOR), CHEESE CULTURE, ENZYMES, WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, WITH STARCH ADDED FOR SLICE SEPARATION. CONTAINS: MILK. CRACKERS - UNBLEACHED ENRICHED FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE [VITAMIN B1], RIBOFLAVIN [VITAMIN B2], FOLIC ACID), WHOLE GRAIN WHEAT FLOUR, SOYBEAN OIL, SUGAR, PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED COTTONSEED OIL, SALT, LEAVENING (BAKING SODA AND/OR CALCIUM PHOSPHATE), WHEY (FROM MILK), SOY LECITHIN, NATURAL FLAVOR.

Imagine this...your brain conducts routine daily maintenance on your dopamine and serotonin receptors (both essential for mood and concentration). These receptors are composed of Omega-3 fatty acid called DHA. If you consume TRANS-FAT (hydrogenated oils) instead of healthy DHA, your brain molecules use this as a construction material instead. They problem is that trans-fats are shaped differently than DHA: they are straight while DHA is curved. Dopamine receptors becomes mis-shaped and don't work very well. Repeat this scenario meal after meal, day after day, year after year, and you could wind up with problems like ADHD, problems concentrating, anxiety and depression. What is more bothersome to me is when we give our children these so called "treats" because they are entitled to have them when they are young, but it is even more detrimental because children's brains are still developing.

The typical American diet is almost devoid of these essential omegas; they are called "essential fatty acids" because your body can't make them...you must consume them. In fact, over 60% of Americans are deficient in Omega-3 fatty acids, and about 20% have so little that test methods can't detect any in their blood. Omega-3 deficiencies are also linked to dyslexia, memory problems, weight gain, cancer, heart disease, acne, eczema, allergies, inflammatory diseases, arthritis, diabetes, and SO many other conditions. Your brain is more than 60% structural fat, so it is no wonder why if we don't serve our children this essential brain food, they will have a hard time succeeding in school. To read more on Serotonin and Dopamine, try this book: Secrets to Controlling Your Weight Cravings and Mood.



Try this instead! This lunch is also more affordable!

4 Protein Crackers
3 oz Applegate Farms Ham
1 oz WHITE Raw Cheese
1 Hard boiled OMEGA 3 Egg
2 Nutter Butters

OTHER OMEGA FILLED IDEAS:
1. Chocolate (flaxseed) Muffins
2. Cinnamon Strudel Muffins
3. Pizza Bites
4. And LOTS of ideas on sneaking in DHA in my cookbook: The Art of Healthy Eating KIDS.
5. Sardines (don't laugh! Some kids love them!)

NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per serving)
Oscar Meyer Lunchables = 330 calories, 2 g TRANS-FAT, 24 carbs, 1 fiber, 18 g protein
"Healthified" Lunchables = 301 calories, 0 g TRANS-FAT, 3 carbs, trace fiber, 29 g protein

Click HERE to find a Cute BENTO Box for Lunches

To find this cute bento lunch box, click HERE.