I’m starting to think about MdS as a restful vacation with a bit running thrown in. I’m not underestimating the desert...
Oatmeal, diabesity, and sleep
Liza
Mark Bittman has an opinion piece in the New York Times about McDonald’s oatmeal. It reveals what you might expect about the ingredients that are in McDonald’s oatmeal besides oats, but I thought this was particularly good: “Incredibly, the McDonald’s product contains more sugar than a Snickers bar and only 10 fewer calories than a McDonald’s cheeseburger or Egg McMuffin. (Even without the brown sugar it has more calories than a McDonald’s hamburger.)” Say what you will about personal responsibility, I think it’s more challenging than it needs to be to try to make good choices when you’re eating out. Sure, argue that McDonald’s and its ilk aren’t the places to look for nutritious offerings in the first place. I will remind you I live in San Antonio. I believe we’re just west of the epicenter of the Diabesity Epidemic. And if people are trying to make some progress, I say the roadblocks should at least be visible. More sugar than a Snicker’s bar. Good grief.
I have had another good night’s sleep, so I should be ready to take over the world soon. It’s amazing how insidious lack of sleep can be. Why this continues to surprise me is amazing as well. Really I’m only one sentient step away from being tripped up by fast food oatmeal offerings myself.
It’s going to be in the 80s here today, but my running is going to be limited to the garage treadmill unless I can convince the 90 pound, three year-old, energy ball that he’d like to be pushed around in the baby jogger for a few hours. Seems unlikely.
Eat well today. And, P.S., I’ve fallen off the omnivore wagon and am back to my vegan ways.
McD’s is evil!
….just incredible.
I believe we are a product of our environment. I grew up with meals mostly high fat. But as kids we spent most of the time playing outside. So we got lots of exercise. Now our kids don’t leave the bedroom. We need health insurance companies to pay for exercise programs. Not more drugs or lap band procedures as a quick fix.
Add fast access to food into the equation too. I think we ate less growing up because it took longer to prepare food. We got our first microwave when I was in high school. And it seems like folks are more afraid to let their kids play alone around the neighborhood for hours at a time. And that seems justifiable, right? Yeah, there are certainly lots of good reasons people and kids struggle with their weights.
Thanks for that link! It was probably the first time I’ve laughed aloud reading the Times. And now I have a third blog to check each day. Now here’s the question, do we ever let our three year olds near that stuff? If we never let them them have it what will happen when they’re old enough to decide for themselves – but not old enough to know better? Just one of the parenting dilemmas you’ve mentioned (right up there with “just what is it about three year old boys and combine harvesters?”). (punctuation?)
If you have a miracle cure for sleeplessness I would love to know what it is….
Liking fast food isn’t one of my many vices, so Asa won’t get a lot of exposure. But I’m fine with him eating it every now and again. (And, by “fine” I mean that I don’t get too tense while he’s inhaling the french fries.) Certainly the animal treatment tact seems like a good one to take if he ever starts demanding McDonald’s over Eliot’s good cooking.
I’ve only had two 8 hour sleep nights in the last 14 days, so I’ll keep my advice to myself for now. 😉
I think I’d prefer mine to have fries than white bread…. McDs is the only fast food in town, and they actually ask for apples (no dip) before anything else, so I guess I can’t complain!
Fries v. white bread, that’s hard. Does the white bread still have its crust on?
Liza,
My sister sent me that article. It is ridiculous isn’t it? I grew up with healthy meals and no sugary cereals. I got soda at birthday parties and it was a real event to get a Welch’s grape soda on a hot day after swim practice in Phoenix! I remember when I used to go to slumber parties and got sweet cereal like Trix or Lucky Charms and I remember thinking how rich I thought my friends were! My after school snack was fruit. I think if people could just add more raw fruit and veggies to their diet, it would help alot.
I am interested to hear about your vegan ways and dishes you like to make!
By the way, I am the nurse training for the 50k in San Fran in December. I’m only at 6 mile long runs but I feel soooo good running on the trails. Hope to see you there!
Ooh, I remember losing a layer of skin on the roof of my mouth to Honey Nut Cheerios on the rare occasions my mom bought it. The box never lasted long. I wish I could say I prepared all sorts of fancy vegan dishes, but mostly it’s rice and beans with stir fried vegetables — and green smoothies. Sounds awful typing it out. But I’ve got a high tolerance for a similar tasting meals — and not much creative time in the kitchen.
Looking forward to seeing in in December!