The food industry spends a lot of money to get our kids interested in, and us buying, their snacks.  They put on labels like “Organic” and “All Natural” to appeal to our healthier sides and they market with millions of dollars to make it look good to our kids.  The food industry is a business.  They are interested in selling product and nothing else.  It is up to us, as parents, to make sure that the foods we feed our kids are healthy and safe. 

Not exactly natural

There is a lot of information the food industry doesn’t want us to know about their products.  For instance, did you know that the ingredients carmine, carminic acid or cochineal extract are actually ground up beetles that are used to make foods varoius different colors?  It is actually pretty common to see it used to make foods a more ‘natural’ color.  Also, gelatin is actually ground up hooves and feet from pigs, cows and horses (No, that does not count as a source of protein) and Gelatin is found some unexpected places, like Frosted Mini Wheats.  The contents of the food is just as alarming as where and how these foods are made.  With growing Salmonella concerns in recent years, a recent report by the Department of Health and Human Services found that 56% of food plants and factories have not been inspected in the last 5 years and the pass rate of inspected factories is decreasing.  For more information like this see the article linked above.

With less oversight in the industry and very little clear information about contents, the value of a paleo diet for our kids is even more evident.  When your kids ask for a snack, try an apple.  You know exactly whats in it, where it came from and you can be sure there won’t be any crushed up bugs or horse hooves hidden inside.  Lean meat, vegetables, some fruit, nuts and seeds.  Keep it simple and keep it healthy.