Re: Cheese? Is Kraft singles really so bad?

OP - i would switch cheeses and buy something that is not a cheese product. The other suggestions on this thread are good. I prefer to buy organic cheese because it is made from organic milk which doesn't have any added hormones etc.

As for organic vs non - it's a personal choice. But for those who say no difference, i can say that I *personally* have noticed a change in myself from changing food lifestyles, including having more energy, not having stomach issues anymore or acid reflux and losing weight. It wasn't just switching to organic - it was more cutting out highly processed foods. I would prefer to buy organic veggies and fruits - but if the only alternative is not organic then i will still buy it - non organic veggies or fruit is still better than a box of processed crap! If it is something out of a box again i prefer organic because at least i know it doesn't include certain things like high fructose corn syrup...

i believe to be organic the farmer has to go through rigorous paperwork and inspections which is why organic costs more and can be hard to find....

Re: Cheese? Is Kraft singles really so bad?

Posted by MrsA1012

Posted by MaZz

Posted by 2BadSoSad

For the record, this thread just made me crave one and go and get a singles out of the fridge for a snack.

I actually don't like them like that... I'll only eat them if melted, like in a grilled cheese... I don't care for thick cheese so that's prob why lol.

As far as the organic debate, who's to say that 10 years down the road "they" won't be saying that organic is now bad for you... I mean it wasn't too long ago that the news was saying broccoli was bad right?... Lol. I think too much technology has led us into an over analyzing, anxiety ridden society! And I honestly think its the anxiety that is going to kill off the population above all else

I think it extremely unlikely that foods containing pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, antibitioics, hormones and GMOS will suddenly be considered " healthier" than foods that don't contain these toxins. Many of the items added to our food are banned in other developed nations because they are deemed harmful. We have a crisis around antibiotic resistant infections in part because our livestock are given antibiotics in such large amounts. We have some of the highest rates of obesity and lifestyle related illness of any developed country in the world. These are serious public health issues that should not be dismissed. Can we control everything in our environment ? No. Should we obsess over every little thing until it makes us crazy? No. Will an occasional serving of unhealthy food kill us? No. However, that doesn't mean we shouldn't be extremely concerned about what we put in our bodies and in the bodies of our children. There is so much objective evidence about the harm of much of today's food. I think that education and awareness is extremely important so we can make the best possible choices.

Re: Cheese? Is Kraft singles really so bad?

Posted by alli3131

Posted by MaZz

LOL. I'm sorry but this makes me laugh... We grew up on Kraft... I still eat it all the time... I don't see the big deal... This whole organic, what is best movement is really getting out of control

Ps: my dd had some of my Taco Bell food today... Oh the horror! LoL

My DS loves Wendy's

Re: Cheese? Is Kraft singles really so bad?

IMHO- After seeing some disturbing news about Kraft the past few weeks, I would not be a big fan of Kraft "anything" that had dye in it.

From one article:

Full Article

The women think it’s odd that Kraft Mac & Cheese – as Kraft Dinner is called in the U.S. – contains artificial food dyes such as Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, while the same product sold in the U.K. and Europe contains natural colouring.

“Kraft reformulated their product for the U.K., but not for their fellow American citizens. It’s time we demand the same here in the U.S.!” the women wrote.

“Our kids deserve the same safer version that our friends get overseas!”

The bloggers say food dyes are derived from petroleum and that studies have linked them to an increase in hyperactivity in children, poor brain development and long-term health problems such as asthma, skin rashes, and migraines.

I looked up Kraft singles ingrediants and it shows Paprika as coloring. I wold be wary, but if it has no Dye, then I have no real opinion.

Ingredients: MILK, WHEY, MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, MILKFAT, SODIUM CITRATE, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF CALCIUM PHOSPHATE, WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, SALT, LACTIC ACID, SORBIC ACID AS A PRESERVATIVE, CHEESE CULTURE, ANNATTO AND PAPRIKA EXTRACT (COLOR), ENZYMES, VITAMIN D3. CONTAINS: MILK.[9]

Re: Cheese? Is Kraft singles really so bad?

As far as I know- there is no such thing as "real" american cheese. Any american cheese you buy will be a cheese food product.

ETA:

"American cheese in its most common form is a blend of milk, milk fats and solids, with other fats and whey protein concentrates. Although loved by many children (and adults) as a snack or in grilled cheese sandwiches, it is not usually considered "cheese," except by legal definition. All the ingredients do meet the legal definition of cheese, although the final result is typically more cheese-like. This is why many products bear the name "cheese product" or "cheese food" on the packaging.

When it was first developed, American cheese was a blend of Colby and cheddar cheeses. These varieties were most popular in America, where the particular blend was invented. The cheese then was sold in blocks in delis and supermarkets, where it was often was preferred because of its mild flavor.

With the surge in popularity of convenience foods in the 1950s, it is not surprising that processed cheese slices were first commercially available during this decade. This processed cheese soon took the name "American" and the product as it is known today was born. "American cheese" does have a specific definition as a pasteurized process cheese, in fact."


SOURCE

Message edited 4/1/2013 12:34:32 PM.

Re: Cheese? Is Kraft singles really so bad?

Re: Cheese? Is Kraft singles really so bad?

Re: Cheese? Is Kraft singles really so bad?

Posted by kahlua716

Posted by Bearcat

Posted by kahlua716

As far as I know- there is no such thing as "real" american cheese. Any american cheese you buy will be a cheese food product.

Is deli sliced american cheese not real cheese (cheese food product)??

I'm furiously googling to find out

Re: Cheese? Is Kraft singles really so bad?

Land o Lakes - cheese product
boar's head - pasteurized processed American cheese

however if you look at cheddar, swiss you will see it says cheese. It is why when people get all uppity about cheese product i laugh since american cheese is one of the worst cheeses to eat in large qtys. When you're on diet you can have mozzarella (part skin) and cheddar in high qtys then american due to how it is made.

the reason i know this is because i worked for a deli for 8 years.

Message edited 4/1/2013 12:41:02 PM.

Re: Cheese? Is Kraft singles really so bad?

Wow... I NEVER knew this. Thank you. Learn something new every day!

Re: Cheese? Is Kraft singles really so bad?

as much as i love yellow cheese myself, i dont plan on incorporating it into my kids diet. im trying to keep their diet as clean and whole as possible.
eta, for those who scoff at organic, there are ways to eat clean without buying into the whole "fad". I honestly dont even think it's a fad- this is how we've eaten since the beginning of time. All of the processed crap is the fad. Im just trying to go back to basics very slowly.

Message edited 4/1/2013 12:44:12 PM.

Re: Cheese? Is Kraft singles really so bad?

Message edited 4/1/2013 12:47:24 PM.

Re: Cheese? Is Kraft singles really so bad?

If you don't want to go organic, you can look for cheeses that aren't processed. I'd also try to look for any dairy products that say that the cows are not given hormones. (rbHT)

Cheese? Is Kraft singles really so bad?

If you don't want to "eat clean" I get that. My family eats lots of crap. We are addicts in a way and I hate it. BUT to say that you think eating clean is bs, well thats just the most unreasonable thing I've heard in a while. If we allow ourselves to eat poorly in moderation I believe it will be okay, but it's silly to not acknowledge that whole unprocessed foods are healthier.

Message edited 4/1/2013 4:37:20 PM.

Re: Cheese? Is Kraft singles really so bad?

Re: Cheese? Is Kraft singles really so bad?

Re: Cheese? Is Kraft singles really so bad?

Posted by Mariabella

Posted by alli3131

Posted by MaZz

LOL. I'm sorry but this makes me laugh... We grew up on Kraft... I still eat it all the time... I don't see the big deal... This whole organic, what is best movement is really getting out of control

Ps: my dd had some of my Taco Bell food today... Oh the horror! LoL

My DS loves Wendy's

I agree & we also eat at McDonalds occassionaly.

Re: Cheese? Is Kraft singles really so bad?

Applegate sells minimally processed American cheese in a package. I bought it at Whole Foods. Try to expose her to some different cheeses-try cheddar cut in cubes on those tiny wooden cocktail forks, goat cheese on crackers etc.

Re: Cheese? Is Kraft singles really so bad?

Posted by yankeebaby

Posted by Mariabella

Posted by alli3131

Posted by MaZz

LOL. I'm sorry but this makes me laugh... We grew up on Kraft... I still eat it all the time... I don't see the big deal... This whole organic, what is best movement is really getting out of control

Ps: my dd had some of my Taco Bell food today... Oh the horror! LoL

My DS loves Wendy's

I agree & we also eat at McDonalds occassionaly.

I actually just read a scientific article in a medical journal about how there is no difference between eating organic and non organic besides the price. If I find it I will post it.

With that said I do believe in fresh fruits and veggies. Cleaning them well and limiting processed foods. I do agree though that we grew up on kraft and in moderation its fine. My son loves it and since he mainly eats part skim string cheese when he wants American cheese slices I give it to him.

Re: Cheese? Is Kraft singles really so bad?

Posted by DRMom

Posted by yankeebaby

Posted by Mariabella

Posted by alli3131

Posted by MaZz

LOL. I'm sorry but this makes me laugh... We grew up on Kraft... I still eat it all the time... I don't see the big deal... This whole organic, what is best movement is really getting out of control

Ps: my dd had some of my Taco Bell food today... Oh the horror! LoL

My DS loves Wendy's

I agree & we also eat at McDonalds occassionaly.

I actually just read a scientific article in a medical journal about how there is no difference between eating organic and non organic besides the price. If I find it I will post it.

With that said I do believe in fresh fruits and veggies. Cleaning them well and limiting processed foods. I do agree though that we grew up on kraft and in moderation its fine. My son loves it and since he mainly eats part skim string cheese when he wants American cheese slices I give it to him.

This is misleading and absolutely not true. I believe what the study said is there is no difference in NUTRITIONAL value. BUT who buys organic because they think it is more nutritous? People buy organic because they do not want their food to be slathered in pesticides and chemicals! I

Re: Cheese? Is Kraft singles really so bad?

Posted by itsbabytime

Posted by DRMom

Posted by yankeebaby

Posted by Mariabella

Posted by alli3131

Posted by MaZz

LOL. I'm sorry but this makes me laugh... We grew up on Kraft... I still eat it all the time... I don't see the big deal... This whole organic, what is best movement is really getting out of control

Ps: my dd had some of my Taco Bell food today... Oh the horror! LoL

My DS loves Wendy's

I agree & we also eat at McDonalds occassionaly.

I actually just read a scientific article in a medical journal about how there is no difference between eating organic and non organic besides the price. If I find it I will post it.

With that said I do believe in fresh fruits and veggies. Cleaning them well and limiting processed foods. I do agree though that we grew up on kraft and in moderation its fine. My son loves it and since he mainly eats part skim string cheese when he wants American cheese slices I give it to him.

This is misleading and absolutely not true. I believe what the study said is there is no difference in NUTRITIONAL value. BUT who buys organic because they think it is more nutritous? People buy organic because they do not want their food to be slathered in pesticides and chemicals! I

I was going to say the same thing - if it is the article I am thinking of it does only say what Dr. Mom is saying above.

Additionally, I believe there have been studies showing that the level of pesticides etc. is, in fact,harmful to young children especially with respect to nuerological issues...

Also, washing does nothing when it comes to certain fruits and vegetables and what about the meats, dairy etc...

Re: Cheese? Is Kraft singles really so bad?

If you can afford real cheese without food coloring then buy that. It's only 1 slice a day but if you can expose your child to something that has real nutritional value, why not do it?

It's sad to me how uneducated people are about the state of our food supply. This isn't hype, these are facts. Inconvenient facts that should cause you to think and make better choices for your children. Here's an article from Shape, very basic. 13 ingredients that are prominant in our food supply but are banned outside the US. The FDA is bull and the food our parents grew up on has changed significantly!

We research strollers, bouncers and other nonsense but we can't take 10 mins to learn about this?


http://m.shape.com/blogs/shape-your-life/13-banned-foods-still-allowed-us

Message edited 4/2/2013 6:09:19 PM.

Re: Cheese? Is Kraft singles really so bad?

Also google the dirty dozen. There are some foods that are more important to buy organic. Like apples over bananas.

Re: Cheese? Is Kraft singles really so bad?

Posted by DRMom

Posted by yankeebaby

Posted by Mariabella

Posted by alli3131

Posted by MaZz

LOL. I'm sorry but this makes me laugh... We grew up on Kraft... I still eat it all the time... I don't see the big deal... This whole organic, what is best movement is really getting out of control

Ps: my dd had some of my Taco Bell food today... Oh the horror! LoL

My DS loves Wendy's

I agree & we also eat at McDonalds occassionaly.

I actually just read a scientific article in a medical journal about how there is no difference between eating organic and non organic besides the price. If I find it I will post it.

With that said I do believe in fresh fruits and veggies. Cleaning them well and limiting processed foods. I do agree though that we grew up on kraft and in moderation its fine. My son loves it and since he mainly eats part skim string cheese when he wants American cheese slices I give it to him.

This is misleading and absolutely not true. I believe what the study said is there is no difference in NUTRITIONAL value. BUT who buys organic because they think it is more nutritous? People buy organic because they do not want their food to be slathered in pesticides and chemicals! I

Re: Cheese? Is Kraft singles really so bad?

Unless i grew it on my own farm, there is just no way to tell what was used, or how it was grown.

I am a skeptic though, but I understand why people buy organic..I just won't. I can't stand the way the milk tastes..but I also don't think there aren't any guarentees as to where the food came from..it can say it, sure, but you don't really know. You could be spending an extra $3 on produce, but you really don't know where it came from.

On a side note, there are 4 pediatricians in the practice that I have used, and not one have urged organic produce and milk over non-organic.