Denice Murray Health Coaching

The topic for today is food. Specifically “Clean Eating” vs “Junk Food” and the controversy around those two terms. Clean Eating implies eating whole, minimally processed foods that are organic, non-GMO, locally and/or sustainably sourced, no chemicals added, no artificial ingredients, no use of herbicides, pesticides, antibiotics, hormones, or other possibly toxic substances during the growth of specific foods, animals and their by-products (eggs, dairy) that were free-range or pasture-raised and THEIR food had none of the above mentioned products either. Junk Food implies ultra-processed foods that have had a few, some, or all of the previously mentioned substances added to them including but not limited to dyes, artificial flavors, preservatives, emulsifiers, etc. It also implies foods that may have whole ingredients but are also low in nutrient quality (vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber, complex carbohydrates, monounsaturated fatty acids), but are high in calories or high in exc...

I’m gonna make it short…shorter….short-ish….today. Just eat the banana. I don’t care if it’s organic, sustainably-grown, non-GMO, blah, blah, blah. Just eat it. If it comes down to eating a candy bar or eating a banana…..eat the banana. Pick the healthier option when you have a choice, but when you don’t, eat what you’ve got. I face this dilemma often when we go to sporting events for Mini-Me. Concession stands are notorious for having lots of junk food, and not a lot of whole food options. You’re going to find chips and candy more than you’ll find vegetables or fruit. And if we don’t pack it ourselves, we’re stuck with whatever the concession stand has. Mostly, I go with popcorn because it’s a whole grain. I’m fully aware that it’s not air-popped, all natural, no unhealthy oils, etc. I’ve seen the palm oil substance they use to make it. I’ve seen the popcorn salt. It’s still better than a bag of Doritos. So, popcorn it is. Nachos or a burger? Probably go with the burger. Is it...