We are only two days into summer, and already I can feel my standards slipping.  Bedtime has gone out the window, the Monkey has already watched two PG-13 movies that he’s NEVER been allowed to see before, and, most notably, we’ve eaten Oreos for breakfast.

Oreos.  For Breakfast.  

Now, while I’m lax about a lot of things, I do try to maintain some healthy influence over my children’s eating habits.  But something about summer makes poor choices easier to justify.   I try to ease my guilty conscience with a little game I like to call “Find the Food Groups”. 

Let’s use Oreos as our example:

Grains: Well, this is obvious. The two cookies that comprise the Oreo “sandwich” provide a stable base for our pyramid of health. As we know, the darker the grain, the healthier the bread; I’m sure the same applies to cookies.  Additionally if you eat the “whole cookie”, you have eaten the “whole grain” and whole grains are very good for you!

Dairy:  This one is really easy; it says it right there on the package— “Creme Filling.”  It’s important to note here that in our “Find the Food Groups” game, correct spelling is optional. This is also true for anything referred to as “froot.”

Meats/Protein: Since dairy can be a good source of protein, I think we’ll use our good friend “creme filling” again. However you don’t want to cheat yourself out of the maximum health benefits.  To make sure you’re getting adequate nutrients, better to get the Double Stuff Oreos.

Fruit: Okay, I have to admit I’m having a hard time finding the fruit in an Oreo.  However, the truth is, I have a friend who’s a nutritionist, and she says that too much fruit is not good for you because of the sugar content, so it’s probably better that there’s no fruit.

Fat: Considering all of the wholesome goodness we’ve discovered in our Oreos, I think a little bit of fat is okay.  After all, everything’s okay in moderation, right?

See how it works? Play along at home!