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Eating Healthy Is A Total Hassle
In recent years, the craze for “clean eating” has taken off, while donuts and cupcakes still hold their ground as guilty pleasures. With obesity on the rise, it seems like we’re all on the verge of doom unless we consume an endless supply of kale. Seriously, it’s like kale is the answer to all our problems.
As a trend follower and a devoted mom, I strive to provide my family with well-balanced, “clean,” and nutritious meals. After all, I want us to annoy each other for as long as possible, and apparently, longevity is linked to diet. But let’s be real: eating healthy is a colossal pain in the neck.
The Grocery Shopping Adventure
First off, if your life resembles mine, grocery shopping with little kids is an adventure. They’re always hungry, whiny, and tired the moment we walk through those automatic doors. And as soon as they spot food, it’s like a switch flips. Hello, Mom, where are the snacks? I try to sneak them a few grapes while scanning the aisles.
Naturally, everything must be organic. But why is it that the most bruised and battered apples are deemed the healthiest? What’s the logic there, Mother Nature? And of course, they come with a higher price tag. When I bring them home, I have to explain to my husband why I just shelled out $80 for the ugliest apples known to mankind when the pristine ones would have cost less than $5 and looked pretty on our kitchen counter.
The Freshness Obsession
On top of the organic obsession, everything has to be fresh. Heaven forbid those fruits and veggies ever touched a bag or a box that might harbor toxins. The uglier and fresher they are, the more nutritious they must be, or so I’ve gleaned from scrolling through Instagram.
Occasionally, you need a backup plan. So, I push my cart past the bulk bins of quinoa while the “namaste” whispering crowd glares at the few cans of green beans I stash beneath the pile of ugly apples. The judgment is palpable when you shop for fresh, local, organic food. Everyone is watching you.
The Aftermath of Grocery Shopping
Once I finally get home, it’s not as simple as tossing everything in the fridge. Nope, all of it needs to be washed—every last piece. Even if it arrived at the store in a sealed bubble on a unicorn’s back, I still have to wash it just in case a rogue GMO corn dust happened to hitch a ride. But washing is just the start. Next comes the prep work, because if I don’t have a plan, those parsnips will rot in resentment.
I peel, chop, dice, and mince until I’m on the verge of carpal tunnel from all that knife work. Then I organize everything into color-coded, labeled containers in the fridge so that my family sees the healthy snacks first. Because I’m a good mom, dammit.
The Cooking Challenge
But here’s the kicker: after all that shopping, chopping, and prepping, I have to cook it in a way that my picky kids will actually eat it. I turn zucchini into noodles, carrots into fries, and cauliflower into mash, but you know what? They’re not fooled. All they really want is everything drenched in cheese or ranch dressing. If I’m going to do that, I might as well buy the pretty produce and save myself a fortune.
Trying to eat healthy is utterly exhausting and largely unappreciated, yet here I am, gearing up for another shopping trip. Because nothing says “I love you” quite like blowing my kids’ college fund on food they may or may not eat—all in the name of health. Wish me luck.
Further Reading
For a deeper dive into this topic, check out our other blog post on Intracervical Insemination. If you’re looking for more guidance on home insemination, Make A Mom offers great resources. Additionally, American Pregnancy is an excellent source for information on donor insemination.
Summary
Eating healthy can be an overwhelming task for parents navigating grocery shopping, meal prep, and picky eaters. From the struggle of choosing organic and fresh produce to the trials of preparing meals that kids will actually eat, the effort often feels underappreciated. Despite the challenges, the quest for nutritious eating continues, as parents strive to provide healthier options for their families.