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Appetites and Adventures

Coca-Cola’s Anti-Obesity Campaign + WIAW

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Coca-Cola is fighting obesity?!

 

Something feels fishy.

When you make your money by selling sugar… can you really be an anti-obesity voice?

[pullquote align=”left|center|right” textalign=”left|center|right” width=”30%”]”The biggest single source contributor to child and adult obesity in the USA is sugar-sweetened beverages,” says Barry Popkin, a nutrition professor at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.[/pullquote]

 

Monday night Coca-Cola will begin airing a two-minute video on several national cable networks,  It talks about the range of beverages produced by Coca-Cola, and how they voluntarily began offering water, juice, and lower calorie options (let’s not talk about the additives in diet drinks…) in schools.

 

Sugars in soda

 

Damage control?  Most certainly.  But should we complain or be happy they are making a positive move, regardless of the motivation?

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This WIAW post is terrible.  I admit it.  I’m doing what I can to eat anything at all in order to recover from this stomach bug.  There weren’t any real “meals, ” so I’m calling them all snacks.

I did eat all of this randomness with blessing from my trainer:

 

Be sure to click here to head over to Jenn @ Peas and Crayons to get to see everyone else’s (more appetizing) meals!

WIAWbutton

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Snack 1:

I wasn’t sure what to expect from my stomach when I woke up, but I figured kombucha green tea and a couple of Go Raw Spirulina Super Chips.

Go Raw crackers

 

 

Snack 2:

Crackers stayed down so I decided to move on to bread.  Half an English muffin made by my mom with TONS of peanut butter and some fig jam.  It was the jam.

 

 

Snack 3:

I had to go home (Mom’s Internet is down = deal breaker), but mom sent me with homemade matzoh ball soup.  I swear this is the perfect sick food.

Mom makes the best matzoh ever.  And we’re not Jewish.

Matzo Ball Soup

 

I chased that with a Lemon-Ginger Kombucha.  Reed’s was a new brand to me.  I liked it, but Buchi Fire remains my #1.

Reed's Kombucha Lemon Ginger Raspberry

 

 

Snack 4:

Right before my next feeding, I got an email from my concierge that a package had arrived.  My iHerb delivery!!!  I shuffled down to collect it, and made snack #2 with some of its contents.

 

iHerb order

  • Peanut flour
  • Growing Naturals’ Chocolate Protein Powder (SO good!)
  • CarbRite bars
  • Collagen
  • Probiotics
  • Resveratrol (antioxidant… and “supposedly” anti-aging)
  • Creatine (I’m going to try it… stand by)

 

If you haven’t tried peanut flour or the Growing Natural’s rice protein yet, I highly recommend both!  Use code USO924 for $5-10 off your order.

 

The thing about being sick is that you end up carb-loading.  I needed some green and protein to help me heal!  A green smoothie bowl with my replenished protein powder was in order.

 

healing green smoothie

Healing Green Smoothie

  • 2 C raw spinach
  • 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
  • 1/2 banana
  • 1/2 in piece fresh ginger
  • 1 stick fresh cinnamon (or 1/2 tsp ground)
  • Pinch of Guar Gum
  • Ice + water, to taste
  • Toppings: pomegranate arils and oats

 

I put it all in the Vitamix and let it run until I had “ice cream.”

FYI: banana and ginger are both tummy-soothers, cinnamon is anti-bacterial, and pomegranates are antioxidents!

 

 

Snack 5:

Anything involving peanut butter sounded good to me today.  Apples are good for the tummy.  Naturally I needed to have both.

Mom had been telling me to eat Greek yogurt for the probiotics… that sour-ish taste didn’t appeal to me, but I finally found a way I could do it: Apples and zucchini with Peanut Yogurt Dip.

 

Peanut Yogurt Dip

Peanut Yogurt Dip

  • 1/4 C Greek yogurt
  • 2 T peanut flour
  • 3-4 drops liquid Stevia
  • Unsweetened almond milk (to desired consistency, ~2 T)

 

 

Meal 6:

I don’t know why this sounded good, but I wanted something chocolate.  I mixed up the dregs of a cottage cheese container with 1/2 scoop of my chocolate protein powder and some almond milk.  Then I crushed a rogue bag of airplane pretzels on top.  Tasty.

Cottage cheese and chocolate protein

***

The protein count for the day: I have NO idea.

Don’t forget to join the Strange But Good link up this Friday!!! 🙂

What do you think about Coke’s anti-obesity ads?

What is your comfort food when you have a tummy thing?

 

Comments

  1. Oh man hope your stomach is feeling better, Laura! I second your trainer- focus on getting better, not the diet :)! I read about this anti-obesity campaign and thought it was ridiculous. One way they plan to change things is to add more diet options….it might not have real sugar but diet drinks do not contribute to fighting obesity. If anything, they increase the need to fight it!!

  2. Being sick sucks. I hope you’re feeling better soon!
    When I’m sick I also crave carbs, like toast with butter, pretzel sticks, etc. And coke! The real, sugary kind, no diet drinks for me! I normally hate coke, but I really crave it when I’m sick. Weird!
    A recent addition to my sick food repertoire is rice soup. Just vegetable (or chicken) broth, white rice, chopped green onions, and maybe a sprinkle of sesame seeds and/or oil. My Asian husband says that white rice is very easy on the stomach. I think he has a point.

  3. I just saw your post from yesterday, and I just want to say I am so sorry you’ve been under the weather these past couple days. Sending prayers your way & hope that today you wake up feeling much better <3

  4. I hate it when my appetite is all wonky. Hope you’re back to feeling like yourself soon! Hang in there. And yay for an iherb delivery! I get way more excited than a normal person should when I get to open those packages. 🙂

  6. Not too bad for sick day eats. Normally if my stomach has the best of me the only things I can stomach are saltines and broth with nutritional yeast. Your meal 6 looks yummy. That might have to be my bedtime snack tonight!

    Hope you feel better and get back to your old routine soon! 🙂

    • Nutritional yeast is a good one! I piled that on my soup last night. Thanks for the suggestion. 🙂

  9. Hope you are feeling better. I haven’t heard about the Coke ads but will be interested in seeing them. Definitely an interesting topic!

  10. I LOVE the vanilla flavor of that protein powder, but I had the pea protein, not the rice. I just got my peanut flour order from iherb…now I think I need to place another order!

    I really miss yogurt. I bet that peanut butter dip was amazing! Your mom is right, you need that good bacteria. I hope you’re feeling better. Sorry the turkey burger is a no go for awhile. It always stinks when something you really like get ruined for you like that. I still have a hard time with fajitas from a stomach bug I had when I was a kid! I hope it’s a good day for you.

    • I didn’t see the pea protein. Must try. I like my Sun Warrior, but variety is the spice. 🙂

      I still can’t eat meatloaf from a childhood flu. *shudder*

  11. That is so awkward about Coca Cola! Somehow, I don’t think I would be running to them for an anti-obesity campaign. Even if they do give me diet coke (sooooo addictive! I used to drink almost a litre of the stuff a day when I was 18-19 years old…shudder).

    Hope you feel better soon!

  12. Buchi Fire is my number one too. I also like the Buchi Original, but not any of the other Buchis. I wish it didn’t come in a beer-like bottle though. I feel like i can’t drink it at work because of that.

    Hope you are feeling better!

  13. All I want is carbs when I’m sick! The more toast the better! Hmm not sure what I think about coca cola. I think it’s definitely long overdue but maybe too little too late! Feel better!

  14. Awwwww honey! I am so sad you were so sick, but all of your eats look AMAZING! Especially meal TWO lol!!! Or Snack Two???? Anyways – looks amazing! Hope you are feeling MUUUUUCH better now 🙂 Oh, and that convo with your trainer? SO FREAKING CUTE 🙂 Don’t you love the love and concern they have for us!? 🙂

  15. That healing smoothie looks and sounds great. Hope you’re feeling better. The stomach bug can really make you feel like nothing human. As for the ad…I still think it’s self-serving for them. I guess I’ll have to wait and watch it.

  16. Laura, we really are cut from the same cloth. When you crave grilled cheese w/ tomato soup, I just made it. You had an english muffin w/ fig jam and nutbutter, I had a ricecake with nutbutter and fig jam as my late night snack last night! Seriously! xo

  18. I want you to feel all better NOW! But in the meantime, I think PB muffins and matzoh ball soup (separately) sound like a pretty good solution.

  19. F*&#ing corporations….problem is the millions of people who blindly listen to them…f$&% coke…:) as you can see I am very opinionated on that specific topic!

  20. Oh girl, it seems like we’re both going through the same thing. I’m not dealing with a full-on flu, but my stomach has definitely been feeling off and it’s making eating anything normal a lot more difficult – all I want are carbs and fruits. Here’s hoping that we both get better soon, and try not to stress yourself out over your diet… the most important thing right now is that you get better, and you need to eat whatever you can stomach to give your body the energy it needs to beat this thing off.

  23. I hope you’re feeling better now, and if you’ve had your fill of your mom’s Matzo Ball soup, feel free to send the leftovers my way because it looks fabulous. Then again, you’ve been sick so maybe I should pass.

    I’m skeptical of the coco-cola ad. It’s great they are raising awareness about the amount of calories in their beverages and the obesity crisis. I support that, but if they want to get real, they need to take a hard look at their ingredient list (high fructose corn syrup) and the ridiculous chemicals in their low and zero calorie options. They should also talk about how their drinks actually make people feel (lethargic, dehydrated, loss of calcium, etc) and maybe actually show some overweight people in their ad to drive the point home. Sorry, I started to rant….

    • Girrrrl… that is LONG gone. but i would have shared if I could have.

      I 100% agree with your rant. 🙂

  24. I’m catching up- sorry for so many comments on “old” posts! This week’s been crazy. I hope you are feeling better! Whenever my belly hurts, my mom puts me on the “BRAT” diet- Bananas, rice, applesauce and toast.

  25. McDonald’s is doing a similar thing with a “low cal / low sugar / low salt” campaign. Damage control.

    Also, I don’t believe that these companies are single-handedly responsible for obesity. They do provide shitty choices that have some addictive substances in them, but ultimately, it is OUR choice to eat these foods. I like that McDonalds is going to put their calorie counts on things (supposedly — I don’t go there). Because then people actually KNOW a little more about how terrible their choice is, but that isn’t going to stop ppl from eating there.

    I used to feel differently, until I watched this movie called “fat head” where a guy went on a fast food diet to lose weight (cheating b/c he did paleo/low carb and didn’t drink soda). But he waited outside McD’s and pointed out that nobody drug him in there to eat. Then he asked the lady in the drive thru if she was going to make him get fries if he didn’t order them. And if she’d make him eat them. Her answer was no.

    So no, they’re not making us eat this crap. I think it is nice that these companies are trying to give more “healthy” choices … however, I feel like it’s a response to income rather than their genuine interest in our health. People are clamoring for more healthy options, so that’s where the money is.

    • Totally agreed. In the end of the day it is our choice to go to McDonalds and buy something from there. I vaguely remember that they had salads (I had one like 8 years ago from there due to a free coupon), so it’s really our choice on what you order. The other problem is for kids who are not educated about healthy eating patterns… They don’t know what to order so they go for the sh*t food.

      Zucchini with peanut yougurt dip- Sounds amazing!

        • Totally agree with you both. I do think it’s irresponsible to offer sodas and other unhealthy snack options in schools, but ultimately we have free will to make good (or bad) choices.

  26. Are those SUPER CHIPS good? I saw that brand at the store the other day and got VERYYYYYYY curious!! They had some SEXY mixes on the shelf, wanted to sneak-a-ly open a bag or two and sample them (LOL) but… I did not, I was a good girl! But give me the low down 🙂

    PS: Coca Cola can SUCK IT! They may have calorie free options but they’re still LOADED with chemicals! They can start promote healthy living when they ditch sugar, aspartame, etc and use solely STEVIA and natural ingredients.

    • They are pricey, but totally worth it a try. I really want to try the ginger flavor next.

      And YES to your P.S. How hard is it to use Stevia?! I don’t see why more companies don’t do it.

  27. Ugh. So sorry that your sickness is hanging on! 🙁 Love that trainer said not to worry about diet – so true when you’re sick. Just get through it! You’ll be back in no time.

    Have you seen “Hungry for Change?” I’m more aware of sugar now more than ever. Hard to believe how much we (slash the average person – likely not you but I’m probably closer to that!) consume each day and each year – way.too.much.sugar. Great post.

    • I haven’t seen that… is it on Netflix? Sounds likeone I need to watch. Sugar and sodium… they both blow my mind when I look at nutrition facts for most products.

  28. I like organic rice protein, I usually buy the plain, but will have to try chocolate. Do you ever add hemp protein powder to smoothies? What do you use the peanut flour for, besides spicy peanut sauce/dressing? I also like pb2 with green apples, but I’ve had a bag of peanut flour in the freezer for months and haven’t been using it.

    • I’ve never tried hemp powder. I’d love to give it a hot though!

      I use peanut flour in EVERYTHING. Microwave muffins, mixed with yogurt, in smoothies, sprinkled on cereal, ice cream, as a flour-replacer… if you search my blog you should get some good ideas. 🙂 Let me know if you’re looking for anything specific.

  30. Glad I’m not the only one who has rogue bags of airplane snacks lying around.

    However, I might be the only person who has never had matzoh ball soup. I did have a dream about it the other day. Now THAT is strange (but good).

    Feel better, dude. You are making me crave straight up, plain old, not even natural but the kind we ate as kids, peanut butter.

    • You MUST try it.! I made the F&W version once with rosemary – highly recommended. Add some soda water to make the balls fluffy. (Hee hee)

      I totally ate JIF. 😉

  32. Even for being sick, I still think you had a great day of eating!! I would have been happy eating those exactly meals for the day and I’m not even sick. 😉

  33. Coca cola is….silly. I get confused when companies like that are fighting against obesity. I mean it’s awesome! But, it’s also a but hypocritical I suppose. Dang, this sickess doesn’t sound good at all. I really hope you start feeling more like yourself soon! I love love love peanut flour, but sadly had to give up brown rice protein powder because of my intolerance…I tried introducing it back in, but it was a fail and a half. I’m trying pea and the new warrior brand so hopefully that will do!

    • I know! I can’t decide if I like it or hate it. I guess any way the message gets out is good…

      I love my Sun Warrior and Sarena commented above the Growing Naturals’ Vanilla Pea is good.

  34. I love mixing peanut flour into Greek yogurt, eat that stuff daily! And have you tried the Carrot Cake raw cookies? Oh my heavens- they were my first “raw cookie” and they were delicious! I’ve never tried matzoh ball soup but am intrigued… And momma’s always know best, it’s a fact 😉

  35. I’ve actually never had matzoh ball soup. Not too sure what it is, all I know it’s a Jewish thing, right? When I have a tummy thing, I usually drink tea with ginger… soup and bread. I haven’t had any tummy things in a while though ( thankfully ) so I can’t remember exactly. I hope you feel better!

    And I am not sure how I feel about the Coca Cola campaign. thye are doing what they have to do not to die, I guess. But I don’t think it’s genuine.

  37. 😮 I hope you’re feeling better! I hate stomach bugs, I suffered for two weeks because of those cheeky little viruses.

    Side note: Did you say peanut flour? I love it! Staple in my cupboard. From peanut buttery pancakes to mock peanut butter. Om nom nom! 🙂

  38. This is an incredible day of eats for someone feeling as unwell as you! You’re such a trooper. Hugs, rest, and feel better soon, my dear!

  40. FEEL BETTER!!!! When I got the flu last November on my bday, I lost 6 pounds because I could not even eat. I ate nothing for 4 days! I just could not stomach a thing! Hope this goes away soon!

    I love your eats anyway!!!

    Cartoon – FUNNY!!!

    Coke – not even going there! 😉

    So…. are you Jewish? You know I am & with the matzo ball soup – had to ask.. 🙂

    • I remember that – you were SO sick! 🙁

      Not Jewish… my family just really likes Jewish food. Latkes. Matzo. We make it all!

  42. I’ve never had matzoh ball soup, but it looks great!

    Peppermint tea is my go-to for tummy woes.

    The anit-obesity campaign by coca-cola is a little hypocritical if you ask me, but I really have no room to talk because as of yet I’ve not created any movement to combat anything.

    • Peppermint is grreat for the tummy! Need to remember to take that on my race. 🙂

      Interesting point you make…

    • Similar, but peanut flour is just the peanuts. PB2 has added sodium and sugar. You can just come over and try mine. 😉

  45. Dohh too many people are getting sick 🙁 I hope you feel better asap Laura! All of your nutritious food will only help you though!
    And the anti-obesity ad from Coke is just sort of… odd. They seem to just be doing it to jump on this current popular trend that companies are doing. I mean it’s a good thing, but just not sure how genuine it is

  47. I’m eating greek yogurt and fruit right now, and it just isn’t satisfying me after seeing that english muffin with peanut butter and jam! In terms of the Coca Cola campaign, I can understand why the brand needs to do it because soda is a hot topic right now, but are they really talking about kids in school? Obviously childhood obesity is a major problem and according to that quote at the top, soda is the #1 cause. When I have a “tummy thing” I always find myself carb loading (=not good) and I crave tomato soup.

    • I think they are talking about everyone… but they are trying to offer better options for kids specifically. Either way, I guess it’s good the topic is getting publicity, even if it is just damamge control.

  48. I’m sorry to hear you’re ill 🙁 I was ill for a month over Christmas with about five different bugs, and my taste for protein disappeared – I just wanted toast toast toast! I’m slowly trying to get back on track though, having fruit/oat smoothies with protein powder for breakfast, adding in similar snacks to your peanut yogurt dip and so on. I’ll get there!

    I’ve been using creatine for nearly ten years now, it works very well for me so I hope it does for you too – and get well soon! 🙂

  49. I hope your feeling better my friend!!!
    And that is ridiculous honestly if you want anti-obesity stop selling your product altogether!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

  50. The facts don’t lie. One third of teenagers drink at least three cans of soda a day w/ each can of 12 oz. soda containing 10 teaspoons of sugar. That said, we pledge to continue our efforts and encourage the obesity conversation… http://bit.ly/obesityissue

  51. I do find it a little weird that Coke is doing an obesity campaign, but there’s nothing wrong with enjoying an occasional Coke (although I don’t like any type of coke) as a treat. Drinking it as much as most people do is the issue. No matter their motivation, I’m glad they are doing it. 🙂

  52. I initially thought that coke having an anti obesiety campaign was ironic since some people drink about 1000 calories od soda a day which plays a large role in obesity. But coke in moderation is not any worse than many other “special treats” as we call them in my house. If you have one coke once a week, it won’t hurt anything. So if Coke is going the “enjoy in moderation” route then i think its a great thing!

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