Today I was quickly thrown back to my childhood and how amazing it was to be a kid and not have to worry about anything. Two of my six nieces are in town visiting me right now, ages 16 and 19, and we took them up to the North Shore for a little adventure over the weekend. We did some early morning snorkeling and then needed some breakfast. We stopped at one of my favorite breakfast spots where they have all your normal options such as eggs, bacon, omelettes, and eggs benedict. However, also on their menu is Nutella waffles with whip cream on top! Oh boy, a kids dream right? So of course one of my nieces ordered it and the smile and joy it brought to her face was priceless as she ate it. The reason this took me back to my childhood was because I remember a breakfast spot that my parents took me to as a child. I was only 7 or 8 years old, but maybe once every other month, we would go to this special restaurant where I was allowed to get the waffles with 2 scoops of ice cream, chocolate syrup, peanut butter, and sprinkles. It was a glorious tower of everything awesome in a kid's world! But back to my niece; their mother is a dietician so I know for a fact they eat well when they're at home. Hence, why I only gave her a harassed her a little as she ordered this giant dish of sugar. But it got me thinking, much like how I would only get that special breakfast every other month as a kid, this was a special treat for my niece as well. However, many people fuel themselves with nothing but sugar for breakfast every single day! L'Eggo's makes waffles that have chocolate chips embedded inside the waffles. The chocolate chips are nothing but sugar, and the waffle itself is also nothing but sugar. So what nutritional benefit are they actually providing? There is no protein, no vegetables, no healthy fats, nothing but sugar!
We are so brainwashed by large marketing campaigns on what is healthy and unhealthy, no one knows what is good for them anymore. Ask yourself though, do you really think that something that is so processed and has added sugar, such as chocolate waffles, will give your body the proper fuel to focus clearly, go exercise, and heal itself if it's sick? HIGHLY DOUBTFUL! I'm aware that kids don't know any better, they are just kids and all they know is chocolate waffles taste freaking awesome and that's they'll eat. But as a parent, hopefully you should know that a child needs food that provides some sort of nutritional benefit. Actually, not only kids, EVERYONE needs food that provides a nutritional benefit! So the next time you sit down to eat a meal, ask yourself, does this provide me some sort of nutritional benefit that will properly fuel my body? And don't be one of those people that goes so far out on a limb to make something healthy that really isn't, "this pizza has tomato sauce, so there is my vegetables". That's bullshit! If you want a pizza, make one yourself and add some fresh vegetables, protein, and some good cheese for those healthy fats. Get the kids involved too and make it fun and educational. Teach those little sponges how to properly fuel their body. If you are still unsure on how to fuel your own body, then I am here to help. Message me for a free consultation and to find out more about my nutritional coaching program.