Food Shaming?

I learned something new this weekend. Apparently calling out crappy food is now called “food shaming.”

Seriously?

Is everything a “shaming issue” now?

At what point do we turn a blind eye and pretend that it’s okay to consume 76 grams of sugar in one stupid, “unicorn” drink? At what point do we slide our credit card into the Starbucks machine and willingly drop $5 each to make our children “happy”?

Anthony Bourdain, the famous American chef and TV star said about the Unicorn Frapp, Wow, that’s like four things I hate all in one sentence: Starbucks, unicorns, and the colors pink and purple. Also a Frappuccino! It’s the perfect nexus of awfulness. Just add pumpkin spice to that mix, and you can nuke the whole county.”

Funny comments, but the subtext is important—it is the perfect nexus of awfulness. Giving children crap like this is as bad as giving them a spoon to eat out of the sugar bowl—and who do you think these drinks are aimed at? Certainly not adults—this is blatant food porn launched purposely to hook your kids.

There’s over 1/3 of a cup of sugar in each one of those horrid drinks and yeah, I’m food shaming here! Starbucks, are you listening?

Drinking one of those unicorn drinks is the equivalent to eating 2 big Snickers bars or an entire pound of ice cream!

And parents—I’m not shaming you. Shame isn’t my style.

However, you need to hear the truth and I will not sit quietly while this kind of thing continues to happen—food manufacturers intent on ruining your children’s health in order to make a buck.

I will continue to educate you as long as you allow me to. I will continue to call out crappy “food” (and drink) in an effort to save this next generation from obesity and diabetes.

The addiction to sugar is real—and putting your fingers in your ears in an attempt to pretend it doesn’t exist is partnering with the enemy. Big Food, Big Pharma are preying on your kids. Food is manipulated and purposely made to addict and cause cravings—that is no secret, we’ve known about this for years.

It’s not changing either—witness this latest horrific nonsense in the form of a Lisa Frank inspired drink and you know that to be true.

The American Heart Association recommends no more than 6 teaspoons of sugar a day for children between the ages of 2 and 18—this unicorn “nexus of awfulness” way exceeds that recommendation.

I have been saying for this for years—that food has the power to heal or the power to destroy. Real food is the only choice a human can make if he or she desires to live in a healthy life. There is no such thing as neutral foods—it’s a black and white issue; it’s good or it’s bad.

Good food is the gift we give ourselves and our families. It’s way to nurture and love your families.

And lest you think I’m totally against having a treat once in awhile, let me remind you that one of my most popular recipes is my Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe with the gingersnap crust.

I think treats are fine—but parameters need to be in place. Treats are very occasional things—that’s why they’re called “treats”. And one of the things that I think keeps treats in perspective is making them yourself with your child—that’s transformational and it creates a memory as well, like making cookies with your children (and btw, you can cut back on the sugar for any cookie recipe and still have it turn out just fine!).

And stay tuned for our own Unicorn Smoothie recipe—we’re testing it out as I type! Recipe and pictures are coming!

Love,

Leanne

PS—I know the unicorn drink is gone for the time being. But consider how wildly popular it was—I bet you dollars to unicorns it will be back and probably bring more of its evil spawn with it in the form of other sugary, colorful drinks. Popularity breeds contempt in this case!

PPS—Smoothies are my favorite “unicorn” breakfast! 

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