Ready to throw it all out the window...

[avendesora]

I've been enjoying reading about nutritionism (as Michael Pollan would call it) since I was 18. I've hit a wall. I just can't read anymore. So many 'experts' conflict each other, so many articles written by non-expert journalists, I just don't know what to believe any more. There's just so much 'information' out there now, with easy access. If I google anything, I'm able to read exactly what I want to hear, which never gets me any closer to learning about how to eat 'correctly.'

I used to have so much anxiety about avoiding carcinogens, fillers, etc. I'm ready to let go of that anxiety. (My anxiety was probably the most carcinogenic thing in my life!) We went to a BBQ this week, and I let the kids eat crap hot dogs and crap hamburgers on crap buns while we were there. I just don't have the energy to make different meals to bring to events like this anymore. As long as they eat well at home, I'm going to let go of what happens when we're out. (However, DH did give them cupcakes with red frosting, and they took two hours to fall asleep... I might stay uptight a few things. )

Where I'm at now: letting go of the stuff in my head, and really opening my ears to my body, and opening my eyes to my kids behavior. I love making homemade bread, so I'll keep that up. I feel better if I eat some protein in the morning. My moods are better if I avoid sugar. I'll eat as much meat as my body demands, but eating any more than that feels philosophically bad still. I'm going to give my kids more fat because (tmi warning!) their poops are obviously too fiber-y. I know I need to stop eating breakfast cereals, but I haven't figured out a good replacement yet.

I'm wondering if anyone else has hit this same point as me?

Aven

[twin_mama]

I don't have nearly enough years of reading/implementing 'nutritionism' in my life but I still feel the same way as you.

To me it just feels right to eat whole foods and to cook from scratch using ingredients as minimally processed as possible. That is my goal in our own home.

I understand and am okay that not everyone out there feels the same way (including our extended family). If we eat out at someone else's house, I fully expect to be eating some of the 'bad' stuff. I'm okay with it....as long as the majority of our food is 'good'. Like you there are certain things I will avoid if at all possible (high fructose corn syrup is a biggie as is soda pop....I will do everything in my power to keep my kids from drinking that stuff).

I decided to just do my best and not beat myself up over it. Like you said, the anxiety of worrying too much about it just isn't worth it.

[katiesk]

it's not that i worry about it really, i'm just not ok with eating things that are not real food. sometimes i worry that i eat too much butter and honey on my pancakes, you know? but i just would not put fake butter and syrup on them...

when we go to bbqs with weird meats, it always feels totally appropriate to bring along something to share - like nice sausages or kabobs to grill. and then i can just eat whatever normal food i have brought along.

it's good to minimize things to stress out about though, so if thats what you are doing, then great!

[PaulaJoAnne]

This may help you.
Many people practice what is called 80-20 or 90-20.
80 up to 90% of the diet is good whole foods, with 10-20% wiggle room, for things like BBQs, birthday parties, Friday night movies, etc.
This eliminates the stress of always trying to be perfect.
Don't make eating perfect, a "religion". You will burn out.

ETA:
I tend to bring a good amount of whole food things to potlucks. This gives me fallback.
And I never need to worry, if the food I am eating is a natural food.
Like butter and raw honey. Those are real foods. Eat up!

[PaulaJoAnne]

Breakfast idea.....do what is rec. in NT.
Soak your oats the night before, and then cook them in the morning.
Add lots of butter, milk, maple syrup or honey, and any fruits that are enjoyed.
Its the best!

[avendesora]

Thanks, all.

I'm not going to give up on eating whole foods, of course. I've built up enough of a repertoire and a routine (except those darn breakfast cereals) that I can just keep doing what we've been doing, and we'll be fine. It's the studying and anxiety that I'll be giving up on. No more articles.

I've been a pain to other people in the past about my uptight standards for food. Just a few weeks ago, we had my sister and brother-in-law-to-be in town just before their wedding. Let's just say they don't eat well. I cooked foods that I thought they would like, choosing to put developing a healthy relationship with them (I hardly know BIL at all) in front of my regular food standards. It felt really good to make that choice. But, by the end of the week, I felt miserable physically and I had put on 5 lbs. I'm glad we don't eat like that all the time, and it reminded me of why I like to eat whole foods, but I also felt proud of myself for having been able to be flexible for their sake. And, it also gave me the confidence that my body will tell me what to eat.

Aven

[Jojo F.]

Yeah, I hear ya, I'm burnt out on it all. Whenever you look there is one more thing to avoid- food, cookwear, etc. No matter how hard you try you just can't seem to catch up, or you end up spending a fortune changing over to the new next best thing.

Maybe we should become Amish and live like they do(I secretly want to sans religion but, DH would have a fit!) It seems the simpler you live the better. I try my hardest to stay away from processed foods and we do a pretty good job if it except for the brown rice pasta and the occassioanl pop and chips(we are talking once a month treat, if that).

At times it seems easier to not worry about anything and just eat crap but, then you know you will feel crappy so it really isn't worth it in the end.

When I get in these slupms it helps for me to find a new recipe to egnite my excitement with cooking again.

Gardening gets me going too. If I can grow it I want to find a way to eat it. To know the food that is on your plate was growing in your garden is so rewarding.

For breakfast I eat a hardboiled egg and a big glass of milk or eggs and bacon. I used to be a little more fancy before the new babe came along but, we get by. Although, me making bacon and eggs for myself doesn't happen all that often, it's still too long for Poppy to be content.

oatmeal is a very tasty staple. Especially if you boil a few pieces of cinnamon(sticks) in the water, add a bit of maple syrup, a bit of turbinado and have plenty of awsome yummy butter in it. Oh goodness, it's soooooo good.

[celestialdreamer]

Honestly, I would eat what makes you feel good and what you enjoy. If that means it is 100% whole foods and you bring a dish to share places then do that. Or if it means that you feel like you want to just relax your standards when you are going out, then just go with it!

My kids have significant food allergies and our household is gluten, dairy, nut and soy free for the most part. When we go out places most of the time we have to bring our own foods. Our dd has severe behavioral issues when she gets even traces amounts of soy and food preservatives/colorings, etc. So it isn't just all food allergies and not everyone understands why we are being "so picky". Sure when we go out sometimes I will make occasional exceptions and it feels okay to me. I'm just at a place where I don't really care what people think about our "weird" eating habits. Just do what works best for your family and don't stress too much

Also, about the experts giving conflicting advice, I've been there too. I think the best way to deal with it is to eat a varied whole foods diet most of the time and eat the things that make you feel best. I found that when I just let our food be "food" rather than something I was constantly thinking/researching that I actually enjoyed preparing and eating it way more.

[Beauchamp]

Originally Posted by celestialdreamer

I found that when I just let our food be "food" rather than something I was constantly thinking/researching that I actually enjoyed preparing and eating it way more.

Yes, I agree. I started eating healthy about two or three years ago once I learned about "clean" eating. The trouble is, there are articles *everywhere* about what is good, what's bad, etc. And when your store doesn't even carry certain brands, foods, etc, or some are organic but too expensive...it made me feel so awful.

Since I've been pregnant I have been obsessing more than usual, and feeling horribly guilty that I am directly putting bad foods into my baby. On the whole, I eat fairly well, with the occasional lapse here and there. But I have really let it affect me, make me feel depressed, mad at myself, when I have a lapse, or choose something "bad", or generally indulge in a "treat".

It's SO much better to "just let food be food" like the PP said. I am slowly trying to learn that the mental effects of berating myself are not worth it, and sometimes are much worse than the physical effects of the "bad" food.

[UUMom]

I'm frustrated sometimes, but not burnt out.

Even if I can't always get 100% grass fed organic whatever, that in NO way sends me to Purdue or McD/BK.

Plus, I know my community, and I know what I raise.

Not to mention that there is a huge middle ground between tossing it all in for McD's Vs doing the best you can.

[avendesora]

I'm not about to start taking my kids to McD's. I've always been a foodie, and always will be a foodie. I've got my routine set up with a good source of local raw milk, grassfed meats, an organic CSA, organic cooperative for bulk foods and non-local produce... we'll still eat well. What I want to let go of is the internal dialogue of 'experts' stuck in my head. For example, just last evening, I was hungry for toast in the late evening. "But Bob Greene says you should never eat after 7 pm." "The Potatoes not Prozac woman says its good to eat carbs before bed." Argh, I gave up trying to make the 'right' decision and enjoyed my toast.

I want to enjoy providing good food for my family, and let go of obsessing over nutrients.

I like Michael Pollan's word: "orthorexia: an unhealthy obsession with healthy eating." Yep, I've been an orthorexic.

I really like that "let food be food" idea.

UUMom, I'm glad to hear you're not burnt out.

Aven

[Sol_y_Paz]

Sorry learning and reading is bringing you anxiety, good thing you are not getting a degree in nutrition at the moment. Naturally, not everyone is going to agree, even so called experts and professionals, and this is life, I think it is still beneficial to read about subjects you feel passionate about and never stop learning and challenging yourself, even when opinions don't agree there are lessons to be learned from all of it. You don't have to automatically agree with everything you read or take it as scared text. Listen to your heart and mind, let that guide you, and continue to read and grow at your own pace. s:

[mamadelbosque]

I cook a lot at home and really try to make whole foods and eat 'well', but when we're out at playgroup or at someone else' house I just go with the flow. IMO its just not worth the energy to make/bring special food all the time, nor is it worth explaining over and over again why, and getting wierd looks and being known as the 'wierd' family. But thats us.