Food

I’ve always loved food. And after learning how to be a pretty good cook, I thought, how cool would it be to work with food everyday. So for most of my adult life, I’ve been working in the food industry in one form or fashion. It’s this experience that lead me to write my book, FAT PROFITS. Now while FAT PROFITS tells the story about a corrupt food company, I can honestly say that company does not exist. That said, I’ve seen some disturbing trends in the food industry over the past 20 years, and I’m passionate about trying to improve the quality of the food we eat. After all, if the old adage “you are what you eat” is true, these days we can’t even pronounce each other’s name. If that doesn’t make sense to you, start reading some ingredient labels. I guarantee if you’re eating like most Americans, they read more like a lab experiment than something that’s truly good for you. Please, do yourself a favor and check your labels out.

Food

Marie Callender’s Chicken Pot Pie: Made From Scratch?

Marie Callender’s Chicken Pot Pie: Made From Scratch?

Although Marie Callender's Chicken Pot Pie claims to be prepared from scratch, a closer look at its ingredients tells a different story!I grew up eating frozen Chicken Pot Pie. As a child of a working mom in the 70’s and 80’s, Swanson Chicken Pot Pies were one of her go-to solutions for getting a meal on the table after a long day of work.

While I’m not exactly sure what was in those Swanson Chicken Pot Pies, my jaw dropped when I saw a recent advertisement by Marie Callender.

Marie Callender’s Chicken Pot Pie TV Commercial

Here’s a full script of Marie Callender’s Chicken Pot Pie advertisement:

Marie believes that her chicken pot pie gives you the perfect recipe for catching up with family. So she takes the time to prepare a golden flaky crust made from scratch and mixes crisp vegetables with all white meat and bakes it to perfection. Because Marie Callender knows that making the perfect dinner isn’t as easy as pie, but finding someone to enjoy it sure is. Marie Callender’s—It’s time to savor! And now there’s even more to savor with family sized pot pies.

What so wrong with this ad?

The line that really gets under my skin is:

“So she takes the time to prepare golden flaky crust made from scratch.” (more…)

Although Marie Callender's Chicken Pot Pie claims to be prepared from scratch, a closer look at its ingredients tells a different story!

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Quaker Breakfast Flats … A Healthy Breakfast or a Breakfast Cookie?

Quaker Breakfast Flats … A Healthy Breakfast or a Breakfast Cookie?

Breakfast can be one of the hardest meals of the day, especially if you’re not a morning person. Yes, that “not a morning person” comment needs a big arrow pointing at me. 🙂 So marketing healthy, convenient breakfast foods is literally a goldmine for food companies. But are most of these products really healthy? Let’s take a closer look at one of the newest “healthy” breakfast products on the block—Quaker Breakfast Flats.

Quaker Breakfast Flats market themselves as wholesome and full of real ingredients. But are they healthy, or really a cookie in disguise?

 

Honestly, these are one of those products I want to love. They’re available in three varieties (Cranberry Almond, Banana Honey Nut, and Golden Raisin Cinnamon), and they sound delicious and healthy. (more…)

Quaker Breakfast Flats market themselves as wholesome and full of real ingredients. But are they healthy, or really a cookie in disguise?

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7 Simple Steps For A Healthier Super Bowl Sunday

7 Simple Steps For A Healthier Super Bowl Sunday

It’s that time of year again. Super Bowl time. And with the constant hype about the game, the commercials, and the parties that surround this mega event, it’s easy to become a bit jaded if you’re trying to eat healthy. After all, the Super Bowl is reported to be the second-largest day for food consumption in the United States, right after Thanksgiving.

7 Simple Steps For A Healthier Super Bowl Sunday

But rather than getting all grumbly about things, I think you can still have a great Super Bowl Sunday. How? Here are my 7 Simple Steps For a Healthier Super Bowl Sunday! (more…)

7 Simple Steps For A Healthier Super Bowl Sunday

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Leggo My Eggo?

Leggo My Eggo?

Leggo My Eggo! I think more than any other commercial of my youth, those three little words were burned into my memory. Why? I’m not exactly sure. Perhaps it’s that two of the three words are totally made up. Or maybe it’s because the ad’s underlying premise of a father taking food from his son caught my attention. 😕

What's in your waffle? Is it healthy? Unfortunately it's probably not!

But what should we think of this whole fuss over a frozen waffle? Is this waffle worth fighting over? No—especially not in a good way.

What’s in Eggo Waffles?

In fact, after looking at what’s in an Eggo Waffle, I think that’s one battle I’d gladly lose. Why? Here’s a quick run-down of what’s in the top-selling Eggo Homestyle waffles: (more…)

Are frozen waffles or dry waffle mix a great choice for breakfast? Probably not. In fact, perhaps we should listen to the old television ad more literally and "Leggo my Eggo."

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Is Organic Food Better For You?

Is Organic Food Better For You?

Organic foods are growing like gangbusters, but are they really better for you? Is organic worth the higher cost? There are certainly plenty of opinions on both sides of this debate. In fact, people can get pretty vocal on this topic with responses ranging from some swearing by organic to others calling it a huge scam. What’s the truth? Here’s my take on this hot topic.

Is organic the right choice for you, or is it a complete sham?

So What Does Organic Really Mean?

To really answer the question “is organic food better for you,” I think it’s best to start at the very beginning. That means understanding what the term organic really means when it comes to food. (more…)

Is organic the right choice for you, or is it a complete sham?

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Introducing My FREE New eBook—The Ultimate Clean Eating Guide

Introducing My FREE New eBook—The Ultimate Clean Eating Guide

I’m so excited to finally be able to share with you my new, FREE eBook, The Ultimate Clean Eating Guide—How to Ditch Processed Foods & Start Eating REAL! I’m embarrassed to say, but this eBook has been in the works for over a year now. I’ve been planning it ever since I returned to blogging last fall. But with lots of different work and family commitments plus plenty of other distractions, I didn’t get to it—until now! Hopefully you’ll agree with me—it’s totally worth the wait!

In Bruce Bradley’s Ultimate Clean Eating Guide this former processed food marketing executive shares why he quit processed foods, how he did it, and outlines tips and steps you can take to lead a happier, healthier life!

Eating Healthy. What Does It Mean?

Our mission is all about inspiring people to eat healthier. But what does “healthy” even mean? Unfortunately we live in a processed food world where so-called healthy foods are anything but good for you. Junk food has been normalized.

Although I’ve written and spoken about these issues in many different places, I wanted to create a quick, easy, and heartfelt guide that could help people jumpstart their real food journey. No scare tactics. No tricks. No fad diet advice. Just honest information that will help you think differently about what you’re eating and encourage you to take some simple steps forward. As I say several times in the book, when it comes to eating healthier, it’s all about progress not perfection!

[shareable cite=”Bruce Bradley”]When it comes to eating healthier, it’s all about progress not perfection![/shareable]

(more…)

In Bruce Bradley’s Ultimate Clean Eating Guide this former processed food marketing executive shares why he quit processed foods, how he did it, and outlines tips and steps you can take to lead a happier, healthier life!

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Are Muffins Healthy?

Are Muffins Healthy?

Are muffins healthy? And what's really in your muffin? Unfortunately most muffin mixes and pre-made muffins are bad news.Muffins and I go way back. When I was just a little kid my mom would take us shopping and for lunch at our local department store, Jordan Marsh. To be honest I don’t remember much more except for the amazing, Jordan Marsh blueberry muffins you could get with your meal. They were so good mom sometimes would buy an extra half-dozen muffins as a treat for us to eat at home. 🙂

But are muffins healthy? Unfortunately, no. However, thanks to some misleading marketing many people believe muffins (especially those filled with fruit or bran) are healthy snacks. The simple truth is … sweet baked goods and desserts just aren’t good for you despite what many food companies might say. By definition they’re a treat and that holds true for muffins as well.

So why did I share I whole-wheat muffin recipe a couple of weeks ago? I don’t think baking up the occasional batch of muffins is a criminal act. Unfortunately, the story behind many of the store-bought options can get pretty ugly! (more…)

Are muffins healthy? And what's really in your muffin? Unfortunately most muffin mixes and pre-made muffins are bad news.

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10 Tips on How to Quit Processed Foods

10 Tips on How to Quit Processed Foods

Interested in eating healthier? Well, there sure are a lot of different pieces of advice out there. Unfortunately, most of it is served up by people trying to sell you something.

One Size Does Not Fit All When It Comes to Food

And have you ever noticed all the contradicting opinions? It’s really hard to know what to believe!

Well, I’m not a health professional, but I used to market processed foods for a living. And if there’s one thing I know for sure it’s that processed foods are bad news.

To hit that point home I’ve been sharing my real food journey over the past several weeks—first sharing why I quit processed foods and then details on how I made my break.To round out this story I thought I’d assemble my

To round out this story I thought I’d assemble my Top Tips on How to Quit Processed Foods. Hopefully, you’ll find them helpful no matter where you are on your goal to eat healthier!

(more…)

One Size Does Not Fit All When It Comes to Food

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How I Quit Processed Foods

How I Quit Processed Foods

A couple of weeks ago I shared my story about why I decided to quit processed foods. I often call it my junk food “break-up” because in many ways we all have a complex relationship with food.

Former processed food marketing exec, Bruce Bradley, reveals his history with healthy eating, how he quit processed foods, and where he now draws the line.

Personally, culturally, and physically food plays a powerful role in our lives. And as anyone who has tried making changes to their diet knows, breaking away from your routine can be challenging, to say the least. In fact, it’s a lot like a divorce—something else with which I, unfortunately, have some firsthand experience.

My History with Healthy Eating

My path to eating and living a healthier life started years before real food entered the picture. In my early thirties, I found myself out of shape, gaining weight, and stressed. My health was going in the wrong direction, and it finally got to the point where I was ready to do something about it.

Running and working out were my saviors. In the process of getting in better shape, I started listening to my body more. Food-wise that meant eating more fruits and vegetables, fewer snack foods, and minimizing sweets. That said, I had totally bitten the hook about “healthy” processed foods, so plenty of leanwashed foods were still in my diet.

How I Quit Processed Foods

It wasn’t until my forties hit that I realized I wasn’t doing enough and made the commitment to quit processed foods. (more…)

Bruce Bradley, a former food marketing exec, shares his personal story about how I quit eating processed foods.

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A Guide to REAL Whole Grains Part Two

A Guide to REAL Whole Grains Part Two

This post is by blog team member, Kelly. To learn more about Kelly, check out our team page!

Learn how can you get more REAL whole grains in your diet!
Grains get a bad rap in some circles these days, but not all grains are created equal. In Part One of my Real Whole Grains Cooking Guide I covered what constitutes a REAL whole grain and shared tips for cooking 8 Great Grains. Now if you’re looking for some easy and delicious ways to incorporate more of these healthy grains into your diet, today’s post is for you!

Most real whole grains are actually pretty versatile. You can eat them hot or cold, in a soup, on a salad, as a side dish, or as a base for all sorts of main dishes. Consequently, one of my favorite ways to eat real whole grains is by tossing them together with different combinations of greens or other veggies, some nuts or seeds, maybe a little cheese, and a simple homemade vinaigrette. I call these meals “greens & grains” and the concoctions to experiment with are endless. So today I’m sharing a little nutrition info, some nourishing and delicious “greens & grains” combinations as well as other ideas for enjoying these eight real whole grains. (more…)

Learn how can you get more REAL whole grains in your diet!

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A REAL Whole Grains Guide and How to Cook 8 Great Grains

A REAL Whole Grains Guide and How to Cook 8 Great Grains

This post is by blog team member, Kelly. To learn more about Kelly, check out our team page!

 

Part One of Bruce Bradley's Whole Grains GuideIn a recent post I touched upon the benefits of REAL whole grains over their processed counterparts and shared a recipe for batch-cooking brown rice to help streamline meal prep. Today I thought I’d dig a little deeper into the world of whole grains, expanding beyond basic brown rice and sharing Part One of my REAL Whole Grains Guide. Understanding whole grains can be a challenge, but let’s start at the beginning and answer some simple, yet complicated questions: (more…)

Part One of Bruce Bradley's Understanding Whole Grains Guide

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Your Salad Dressing Ingredients. Safe or Scary?

Your Salad Dressing Ingredients. Safe or Scary?

Oil and vinegar based salad dressings are some of the most common types of dressings. Simple and classic, this flavorful combination has been used since Ancient Greek and Roman times as a way to season and dress vegetables and greens. Despite their relative ease to make, bottled salad dressings have become increasingly popular since their introduction in the 1940s. But what salad dressing ingredients are in these bottles, and is the convenience of bottled dressings really worth it?Bottled salad dressing ingredients are all over the place. Learn what's In Your Bottled Oil and Vinegar Salad Dressing and 4 tips to choosing a healthier option.

Salad Dressing Ingredients—What’s In Your Oil and Vinegar Dressing?

If you’ve shopped for bottled, non-refrigerated salad dressings lately you’ve experienced the overwhelming nature of this category firsthand. With approximately $2 Billion in annual retail sales 1 the salad dressing aisle goes on and on with a seemingly endless number of varieties. While ranch dressings are the most popular flavor segment, oil and vinegar based dressings are also big sellers. And even within the oil and vinegar segment, there are tons of options including different flavor profiles, full fat, fat-free, light, and most recently organic.

To help illustrate what’s in these oil and vinegar based salad dressing, I’ve assembled a list of salad dressing ingredients for several popular brands below: (more…)

Notes:

  1. ACNielsen 2013 ↩
What's In Your Bottled Oil and Vinegar Salad Dressing and 4 tips to choosing a healthier option.

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