“But Is This Good For Us?”

Now that school’s out, I get to take Mazy grocery shopping with me! Now granted, our daughter is 11 years old, so grocery shopping with a kiddo is MUCH easier than it used to be! I say that for all those mamas out there who are just trying to survive the dreaded trip each week, but trust me, it gets easier! Anyways, Mazy usually helps me grab items off the shelves, and while doing so, her eyes gaze over at products nearby.

While at Aldi, she saw some snack-type items that she thought looked really good, but then immediately said, “But is this good for us?” Oh sweetie, a girl after my own heart!

After I was diagnosed with cancer and even more so, after my bone marrow transplant, we were essentially “forced” to change our diet because my innards took an insane hit from the chemo I was on. I tried to rid our diet of every toxin I could, so that I could regain healthy cells and get rid of the unhealthy. Nutritionist and a dietician, which I was required to see, helped me do this. This was a PROCESS. And when I say “forced”, that sounds negative, but it was honestly THE BEST thing that happened because it opened my eyes to what we really ate.

Now, I will say, Dan doesn’t think much has changed when it comes to what we eat because I do feel we did pretty well before, but also in making changes, sometimes the family can feel it because normal staples, well, aren’t in the cupboard anymore. But thankfully Dan couldn’t really tell a difference! Mazy hasn’t really said much either, but now I find her asking the question: “But is this really good for me?”

Isn’t it interesting that in our culture, we need drugs to help curb our appetites? We are so drawn to the man-made foods versus God-made foods, that there are now regulations for school lunches? That our addictions to certain foods or drinks actually can lead us to severe health problems? I don’t say this flippantly or with disgrace or disgust, for I too, struggle to stop after eating just one Pringle (once you pop, the fun don’t stop)!

I believe we were made to hunger, in more ways than one. Our bodies need food, of course, but our souls also hunger. And often we try to solve BOTH, with our food. But food will never cut it, as only GOD can fill that deep hunger hole we have.

So what are we to do with this deep hunger we will always long for, how do we deal with the food epidemic that is sweeping our shelves, and how do we return to what God’s original intent was?

Well, let’s go back to the Garden. Food was a gift and a delight. Food gave way to communion, joy, gathering, and love. Food was created to support our lives here on earth, the mission and purpose God has designed us for, and to grow us closer to Him. So if food is a GOOD thing, then why are we so addicted, and desire to eat more and more of something that actually is making us sicker and sicker?

Well, of course sin. When I say our world is “totally depraved”, it means that sin has touched EVERY inch of this world, even our food, but that doesn’t mean we are the WORST we could be. We just have to find a way to live in this world, but not of it. When it comes to food, God’s food doesn’t have the sugar content that man-made food does, which means it’s not addictive like man-made food is. It also doesn’t have the salt levels that man-made food does. And did you know that desiring lots of salt can create dopamine spikes, creating neural pathways that are similar to cocaine hits? Think about a bag of potato chips. Ever hear of someone saying “Yeah, I sat down to eat some chips and then I ended up eating the whole bag!” Well, that is this in action – the salt content and crunch, creates a dopamine hit that is addictive and once you pop, you just can’t stop.

So what are we to do?

Think about every item we grab off the shelf. Maybe ask ourselves the same question Mazy asked me in the grocery store that day…”but is that good for us?” We will never do this perfectly, nor do the Sterks do it perfectly! You sure bet we still have Doritos, just not all the time; it’s a special treat. You sure bet we still eat ice cream; occasionally; just not all the time. You sure bet we still buy convenience – but we try to choose a healthier option. There isn’t a bar to reach, but a progress towards what we feel is best for our family. There may be times when you read every label and feel like you are very conscientious. Then there will be other times when you eat all the things that you thought you’d never eat again. But sometimes you just have to do the best you can. And how you live your life will look like no one else’s, and that’s okay!

You might be thinking we’ve brainwashed our child, but honestly, I see it as a win. Trying not to get too personal, but Mazy’s digestive system responds negatively with ultra-processed foods and dyes, so she is the FIRST to say, “Mom, I can only have a little.” But this girl has also walked far too many months and years with a Mom whose body reacts negatively to ultra-processed foods too. FAR too many emergency bathroom runs, to put it bluntly!

So before you wipe your cupboards clean, if you are looking to choose better, just choose one item per week. Don’t throw everything out! Habits take time to form and maybe before you know it, you’ll be asking the same question, “But is this good for us?”

What are your thoughts on the American food system? Do you appreciate the changes RFK is trying to make? Or do you feel it’s a lost cause? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Again, we do NOT do this perfectly, but are just trying to do BETTER.