Whole Foods Market has succumbed to the false pretense that Super Bowl parties mean high calorie, meat-centric food. For the past 20 days, I've been eating plant-based, no added oil or salt whole grain foods thanks to the support of Whole Foods Market's 28-day Engine 2 challenge. Up until this weekend, every time I went into a Whole Foods store I found not only healthy ingredients, but prepped Engine 2 foods I could grab on the run.
This weekend, I almost did a double take as "America's Healthiest Grocery Store" replaced plant-based, oil-free and vegetarian options on their deli bar with trays of chicken wings and fried chicken. The healthy wraps and salad sections were converted to dips and chips and meat chili storage. End caps featured soda, chips and frozen pizzas. It looked like any other grocery store or Target, and for that I was sad. Even their facebook page seemed hijacked by unhealthy promoting chicken wings, steak, dips and soda. I'll admit it. The marketing was working. Suddenly, I was reminded of the sugar rush from soda and desserts and the salty, greasy satiation of chips, chicken and pizza. It was the first time since I started the challenge I felt my willpower kick in.
(photo: www.engine2diet.com)
Thankfully, I remembered that Engine 2 offers a fun, healthy version of Super Bowl favorites, and I rushed to get out of the store. When you have healthy options around you and promoted, you will choose them because they make you feel better and can be very satisfying. It's a lot harder when your barraged with the bad stuff.
Whole Foods has a good thing going by providing a place that supports people making healthy choices. What I saw in their stores this weekend hurt that brand. They don't have to get rid of those options, but highlighting the healthier options with the same enthusiasm would be appreciated.
What we're eating for the game: corn tortilla chips (simply cut up food for life corn tortillas and bake in the oven for 20 mins at 325 degrees), Post-punk kitchen's ancho lentil taco filling, Happy Herbivore's quick queso and tofu sour cream, homemade salsa, limes, cherry tomatoes, red onions and avocado. Super delicious! Go patriots!
What we're eating for the game: corn tortilla chips (simply cut up food for life corn tortillas and bake in the oven for 20 mins at 325 degrees), Post-punk kitchen's ancho lentil taco filling, Happy Herbivore's quick queso and tofu sour cream, homemade salsa, limes, cherry tomatoes, red onions and avocado. Super delicious! Go patriots!
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