Cook Outside the Box With Chef Gigi! (Watch Her Make Mac & Cheese!) by Donna John

Everywhere we turn we're being bombarded with messages about the dangers of processed food. This week at our #30SecondMom Twitter chat, 30Second Mom contributor Chef Gigi Gaggero shared with us how we, as busy parents, can actually "cook outside the box" and make healthier alternatives to traditional processed food in very little time.

Q: Why you should avoid feeding your family processed foods?

Many of today’s foods on grocery shelves are marketed to save time. These foods contain ingredients that are not healthy. They can be especially unhealthy for children, elderly and those with compromised immune systems. If you look at ingredients label for processed, packaged foods, chances are that you won’t recognize many of the ingredients. When whole foods are stripped down to make cooking time faster they need to replace what they took out. Manufacturers do that with chemicals, preservatives, stabilizers, artificial flavoring, food dyes and fake fats.

For example, “artificial flavor” is a proprietary blend. Manufacturers don’t have to disclose exactly what it means. It’s usually a combination of chemicals that contain the same molecular structure as the food it was meant to emulate. Processed foods also contain chemicals to prevent them from rotting, to give a certain flavor and a certain texture. Food manufacturers spend massive amounts of resources making their foods as “rewarding” as possible to the brain. This leads to overconsumption and can also lead to all kinds of health-related issues.

That's a good way of seeing processed foods, just like sugar replacement! #30SecondMomhttps://t.co/bSKO5jh1Qs

— Mei (@MarcieMom) September 8, 2016

Q: How can we be our families advocate and keep them safe from chemicals in our food sources?

• Cook with organic whole foods when you can. 
• Meal prep twice a week to make those in-between days easier to manage. Example: Boil three days worth of pasta. Drain and oil it so it won’t stick together. Divide into three and place it in cold storage. When ready, pull it out and toss with sauce or butter and veggies, garlic, spices, pesto, for a quick meal.
• Read labels! It’s not easy reading labels at first, but it will get easier. 
• Shop the outer aisles of the store for least-processed foods. 
• It helps to vow to “cook outside the box” and keep your family free from processed food additives!

Parents shape a child's relationship with food and like any relationship you want them to have healthy relationships @tweenspot #30secondmom

— Amy (@AmySalterPhoto) September 8, 2016

Learn how to make Chef Gigi’s secret family recipe macaroni & cheese!

#30SecondMom Here is Step 1- Boil the pasta set aside - gather ingredient pic.twitter.com/fY5E2EbahI

— Chefgigi (@chefgigi) September 8, 2016

Step 2 Make a roux ( thickener) w butter and flour slowing add liquid constantly stiring @tweenspot #30secondmom pic.twitter.com/aZNeabVrXw

— Chefgigi (@chefgigi) September 8, 2016

Next- Add cheese and spices @tweenspot #30secondmom pic.twitter.com/puDobq6CeH

— Chefgigi (@chefgigi) September 8, 2016

#30secondmom @tweenspot DONT 4get to add the Macaroni! Boom! All done! Dinner in under 30 & free from additives! pic.twitter.com/ez8h7tZQeO

— Chefgigi (@chefgigi) September 8, 2016

Be sure to follow @ChefGigi, visit her website, GigiGaggero.com, like her on Facebook and check out her 30Second Mom page! See the full recipe for Chef Gigi's macaroni and cheese here!

@tweenspot #30SecondMom Just love this chat time with you all!!! Always feel uplifted after our chat time!!! Have a great night everyone!

— lorri langmaid (@lorri1956) September 8, 2016

Love hanging out with a group of great people with nothing but loving intentions @tweenspot #30secondmom

— Amy (@AmySalterPhoto) September 8, 2016