A few weeks ago I went through a phase of trying to master homemade granola bars. After my third failed attempt, I came to the realization that homemade isn’t always healthier. Maybe I’ll try making homemade granola bars in another month or two, but for right now, homemade isn’t always healthier. I repeat: homemade isn’t always healthier. Why? Because there are plenty of great store bought options out there that help my mental health more than proving to myself that I can make a gosh-darn homemade granola bar. There are plenty of other foods I buy at the grocery store that we are told are healthier when they are homemade. Which usually rings true for most foods, as when they are homemade you can control many nutrients of concern, such as fat and sodium. But for me, I’ll worry about that another day. Lord knows there’s plenty to worry about when it comes to raising children— let alone feeding them. And finding the time to feed them well without losing a few of my own marbles [insert granola bar reference]. So what else do I buy at the store that I used to make homemade BEFORE kids? Read on!
Ranch Dressing: when I was in grad school, my roommate and I would make glorious salads with all kinds of homemade dressings. While I find it easy to whip up a vinaigrette for an easy weeknight salad, I don’t always have the ingredients on hand to make homemade ranch dressing. Plus, the only one eating ranch dressing right now is Joey, and it’s not on a salad. Yep, he DIPS veggies in ranch dressing— and he’s a fan of Hidden Valley Ranch. And guess what, I like it too! My Favorite: Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing.
BBQ Sauce: For the same reasons as ranch dressing, I buy this one from the store. Ted and Joey would bathe in BBQ sauce if it were socially acceptable. Or perhaps I should buy some stock in Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce. Because both ranch and BBQ sauce are getting my little guy to try new foods, I’m not changing it up on him and his food routine. Why? We’ve got a good thing going! My Favorite: Trader Joe’s Kansas City Style BBQ. And if I have extra time I make my own. Recipe here.
Goldfish and Graham Crackers: This one makes me laugh. And I’m not laughing at the Pinterest folks that are making homemade Goldfish and Graham Crackers. I tip my hat to them. Clearly, the ingredients list on a packaged cracker concerns them. And I respect the fact that they are going to great depths to feed their family homemade foods. But for me, my energy and time are spent well elsewhere. But I’ll happily take shipments of the homemade stuff if you’re willing to share! My favorites: the good old Pepperidge Farm whole grain Cheddar Goldfish and Honey Maid Graham Crackers.
Marinara Sauce: This Italian KNOWS how to make a good red sauce, Sunday gravy, marinara, etc. But my freezer has limited space [thank you frozen breastmilk]. So when I make a pot of the good stuff it goes fast! I love keeping a good jarred sauce on hand for those nights when I don’t have 3 hours to slave over a pot of sauce. I’m sure my late Grandma would have said “where was I when this stuff came out in stores.” My favorites: Trader Joe’s Basil Marinara.
As parents we put a lot of unnecessary pressure on ourselves— and for me, the pressure comes from what I’m feeding my children and what they’ll actually eat. As a registered dietitian and self-proclaimed foodie, I WANT my kids to have eating habits like my own. But the reality is, their eating habits will be individualized and unique to them.
So if at 18 months old Joey only eats carrots with BBQ sauce, I’m going to keep offering the carrots plain with a side dipping bowl that has the BBQ sauce. My hope is someday he’ll realize the BBQ tastes better on a rack of ribs and the carrots are delicious enough eaten alone, with a little salt and pepper on them. Or heaven forbid, dipped in ranch.
Yes! Thank you for being real! There is so much food shaming when it comes to “processed foods.” We’ve got both Ranch and BBQ sauce in our fridge and I don’t feel guilty at all because we don’t use them in excess. Ever.
Amen sister!!!!
I loved this! Sometimes the time involved to make everything homemade adds too much stress to be worth it. You did a great job explaining the foods you don’t make homemade while still acknowledging that everyone is different on what’s important to them.
Thank you so much Melanie!
Thanks for sharing! I was feeling guilty about buying goldfish crackers for my son after reading a post on how store bought versions are ‘no good’. I also have ranch and BBQ sauce bottles in my fridge. Working full time, I don’t have the time to make everything from scratch – and that’s okay! I do think moms get a lot of pressure to be Pinterest perfect, so thanks for sharing your fail and letting us know it’s okay to buy some things pre-made!
We go through so much goldfish… I rationalize it by serving it with fresh fruit and milk. You are doing THE best by providing your LO with quality time and food on the table. Great job momma!
I love this post and can totally relate. I tried making “bars” once and it was a huge fail. I ended up just turning it into a version of trail mix and when I did the nutrition analysis the results were worse than the original recipe! Sometimes it’s not worth the time and effort to mess with something tried and true. And I honestly don’t think that a few packaged “processed” food items are going to hinder the growth of your beautiful children!!
That makes me feel so much butter!!! My bars were filled with honey and chocolate I was like “this can’t be good for you!!” After I realized how much I added!!
This is a fantastic post! I especially love the goldfish/graham cracker comments – personally I will likely NEVER make HM crackers but I give props to those who do!
Me too!!!!!
oh my gosh. I am not the ONLY one feeling like the dishes NEVER stop. Some days I wonder is homemade worth it. Sometimes it is. Sometimes it isn’t! (: GREAT post!
Thanks friend!!
I agree with this – I pick and choose what I buy and make. If I want a granola bar, I buy it because I don’t eat many of them anyways. In my fridge, I have processed foods like ketchup and flatbread. I just do the best I can because there is fresh, organic spinach, apples, meats, local sheep’s milk yogurt, and more next to the processed stuff.
Exactly Julie! We do the best we can and that’s the healthiest we can be!
Yes, yes, yes, and yes! I have seven children and I do make as much homemade as I can but I have to balance sanity with savings and mental health with overall health! And, for the record, I have yet to master homemade granola bars!
Go momma!!! You’ve got more fish to fry than homemade granola bars lol!
Yes, Katie. Yes. I couldn’t have read this post on a better day. I just spent HOURS making two loaves of homemade bread, spelt flour wraps, a chic pea Greek Salad and roasted lemon herb potatoes, only to be met with a meltdown from my toddler when I DARED spread some avocado on said bread. I semi-salvaged my efforts by smothering the avocado bread in cream cheese. But he knew, he knew. I swear the more time I spend in the kitchen the less he will eat it. And the clean up. Don’t even get me started. I’m going to peruse your site from some ideas for my little guy. Thank you!
You made me smile Katrina! I appreciate your efforts and some day your little guy will too. You are setting a great example by presenting him with healthy and delicious food!! Keep it up momma!!