Why prepare your own food?

Just knowing the facts can put your mind at peace. Why put synthetic vanillin into your body when you could enjoy actual vanilla extract? Wouldn’t you like to know if your processed product contains actual milk or some dehydrated, flakey milk-processing byproduct?

Preparing your own food opens up a world of creative opportunities. Simple substitutions like yogurt, applesauce or mashed banana can replace oils and add extra flavor. However, using the right kinds of oils like coconut oil, extra-virgin olive oil or vegetable oil rather than partially hydrogenated oils which are cheaper alternatives that large companies to use, instantly upgrade food quality. You can use whole wheat flower for extra fiber or make it gluten free with gluten free flour.

Add your own butter to air popped popcorn or explore other options! Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar or old bay seasoning or just a little salt. Whatever makes your taste buds happiest! It will without a doubt be better for you than shelf stable processed popcorn. Just think, where do you keep your butter? In the fridge, cold. Where do you keep your butter lover’s popcorn? On some shelf or in a cabinet, at room temperature. This doesn’t add up. Show your gastrointestinal tract some respect and feed it quality ingredients without chemicals. You wouldn’t eat a sandwich during chem lab, would you?

Here’s a breakdown of the much beloved Pop Secret Movie Theater Butter Popcorn. Listed are the ingredients and then

Ingredients: Popcorn, Soybean(s) Oil Partially Hydrogenated, Salt, Flavor(s) Natural & Artificial (milk), Color(s) Added, Freshness Preserved By Propyl Gallate

·       Contains trans-fats: even if the label states zero it doesn’t mean your product is trans-fat-free. Just like in the academic world, 0.49 grams rounds down. Trans-fats have been shown to increase the risk of heart disease. Any amount can still harm you. Another consideration is, do you eat only one serving?

·       Partially hydrogenated oils: equivalent to trans-fats health-wise (see above)

·       Propyl gallate: this is an artificial food additive with antioxidant properties. It is a possible carcinogen, may cause gastrointestinal problems, is an allergen, and may cause kidney and/or liver problems. Also, it is banned in many other countries.

·       High in saturated fat: a source of bad cholesterol which leads to coronary heart disease

·       Added flavors: these are created in a lab with guarded formulas. They are used to compensate for flavor loss during processing. Why not go natural by using real flavors?

Another popular treat is Betty Crocker Warm Delights. Because there are over 40 ingredients in one dish of chocolate cake, I haven’t listed the ingredients but here’s a breakdown of what you are ingesting in addition to the gooey goodness.

·       Contains trans-fats and partially hydrogenated oils: see above

·       High sodium: one serving contains over 20% of one’s maximum daily sodium intake. Diets high in sodium cause increases in blood pressure, hypertension and other heart problems

·       High in saturated fat: one serving contains over of the suggested daily saturated fat intake. Large amounts of these fats cause bad cholesterol and coronary heart disease

·       Contains controversial artificial colors: these substances are undergoing research and have been found to cause hyperactivity in children. They are also possible carcinogens and allergens

·       Not natural sources of protein (additives): these protein additives won’t kill you but they are not the best way to get protein in your diet

·       Controversial additive, BHT: this is used to slow rancidity and increase shelf life but is a possible carcinogen

·       Highly processed: many of the 40 plus ingredients are chemicals unknown to the average person. These are used to increase shelf life and add flavor lost due to processing

·       No whole grains: the small amount of fiber in this product comes from additives and is not naturally occurring

·       Glycerides: although they maintain stability and “improve” quality of the product they are created via partially hydrogenated oils or animal fats which add trans fats to the product. They are synthesized into phosphates in a process that potentially harms the environment. If a product contains these it indicates industrial processing

·       Added flavors: these are created in a lab with guarded formulas and are used to compensate for flavor loss during processing

·       Xanthan gum: an emulsifier made by fermentation of corn sugar with bacteria (the same bacteria that is causes black spots on broccoli and cauliflower) resulting in a slimy goo which is dried and ground into a fine white powder then added to your food

Here’s an alternative recipe that takes under 5 minutes to prepare and cook!

Combine 1 tablespoon plus 2 tsp cocoa powder, 3 tablespoons flour, 1/8 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp baking powder, and 1 tablespoon sugar. Add 2 tsp oil or another substitution, 3 tablespoons milk, and 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract. You can combine these directly in a coffee mug or other microwave safe dish. Microwave for 30 to 40 seconds, let cool and enjoy! (Check out more delicious recipes at chocolatecoveredkatie.com)
 

The chocolate cake is pictured here with fresh blueberries and blueberry frozen yogurt.

Making things on your own gives you the control to determine how sweet, chocolaty, nutritional or specialized your creation is. Are you feeling mocha? Add some instant coffee granules or replace the milk with coffee. Or add some extracts like mint or lemon for a little twist. But perhaps more importantly, preparing your own food allows you to control what chemicals you are putting into your body. Rather than watching the number of chemical additives increase in processed foods, watch the number decrease while your health, life expectancy and happiness increases. For more information on commercial products check out fooducate.com.

Author: Melanie Matyi

We're still looking for new writers, so if you're interested please send an email to recipes.pitt@gmail.com.