Chicken Nuggets

When the boys were younger and we were out and about on errands I would sometimes stop at McDonald's for lunch. At the time I thought a lunch of chicken nuggets, apples and low fat milk was a great option and I'll admit I didn't give it much thought. I'd always been fairly health conscious about food, but in this instance I now realize I wasn't all that health conscious. In my mom mind my kids were eating, their tummies were full and everyone was happy. Then I started to really delve into researching food and I was truly disgusted to learn the true nutritional value of a McNugget. From that moment on, McDonald's was banned from my menu. There was no way I would ever dream of letting my children ingest this crap into their bodies. My mom has fed them McNuggets a few times when they spent the night with her, despite my reminders and objections. This is a sore spot in our relationship to say the least.

Earlier this week my friend, Trena, blogged about chicken nuggets. Like me, she fed her child McDonald's chicken nuggets and didn't give it much though. Food was in the belly, everyone was happy and life was good. Like me, she started researching food and also discovered the gross truth surrounding these little McNasties. Basically, a McNugget's main ingredient is corn and the remaining ingredients contain alarming things such as partially hydrogenated oils and anti-foaming agent. What??!! Trena decided to stop eating the McNasties and has decided to make her own nuggets. I'm happy to say I know at least two families who say no to McNuggets!

A day after reading Trena's blog I came across a disturbing article about a 17 year old girl who has lived her whole life on chicken nuggets. According the the article this girl became very sick and even stopped breathing at one point due to malnutrition. She told the news that she consumes nuggets daily and that she hasn't eaten a fruit or vegetable in nearly 15 years. She does occasionally eat toast, fries and potato chips, but that is pretty much the extent of her diet. Her mother reports that she has tried to get her daughter to eat other foods, but the girl refuses. At one point Mom even tried to starve the girl in an effort to get her to eat other foods. In my mind I have to hold Mom somewhat accountable; who let's a two year old only eat chicken nuggets? My Alex is in a very picky food mood and if I let him he'd live on certain foods, but as his mom I am responsible for introducing a variety of healthy foods. He may not eat it the first or second or even the tenth time, but I never stop offering. Luckily the girl in the article is alive, is at home on bed rest and is being pumped full of vital vitamins and minerals that her body is lacking. I cannot imagine what her skin, bones, hair and organs look like. She is slowly killing herself that's for sure.

Chicken nuggets are on meal plan for the week because I know the kids like them. Instead of running through the McDonald's drive-thru or buying a bag of questionable frozen nuggets from the store, I will make my own. In our house I have the kids help so they are more inclined to eat the nuggets. I buy all natural, antibiotic free chicken breast (did you know the feed the chicken eat contains antibiotics that passes through their system and into yours when you eat them). I cut the chicken into small pieces, dip them in milk, roll in seasoned crumbs and bake in the oven. I serve these with kid friendly sides such as green beans and homemade mac & cheese. Usually they are a crowd pleaser. Sure it takes a little more time & energy, but I know what my kids are consuming and I can guarantee one thing, anti-foaming agents are not listed!