This is a very special episode of Food Babe TV. I receive thousands of letters, emails and comments asking for help everyday. Watch as I visit a busy family in need of a major pantry makeover and show them how to remake their favorite go to dinner without harmful ingredients. This video is full of really important information. At the end, I share an update about my visit with a major fast food company.
Watch Below:
Highlights From The Show:
- If you’d like to learn more about what happened during my visit to the Kraft Headquarters, you can read the entire inside story here.
- Chick-fil-A has informed me they are making some changes to their ingredients as a result of your voice and my visit with them. I will keep you posted on the exact developments and what they are changing very soon. Sign up for email updates to stay posted!
- Please take a moment to join over 347,000 people and sign my petition to remove artificial food dyes from Kraft Mac & Cheese here.
- Did you know that Monoglyceride and Diglycerides are food additives labeled as emulsifiers, but basically can be sources of hidden trans fat? Food companies can get away with not labeling these ingredients as trans fat because they are categorized as emulsifiers not lipids by the FDA. Sneaky, huh?
- Here’s the special recipe for homemade Mac & Cheese (without petroleum-based artificial food dyes) I made for the family below. It’s so good, as you can tell from the children’s response in the video. (For my favorite healthy pasta recommendations and brands, check this post here for all the details.)
- 2 tbsp grassfed organic butter
- 12 ounces raw goat milk mild cheddar cheese
- 1 head of cauliflower
- 16 ounce package of 100% organic sprouted whole wheat or spelt pasta noodles
- sea salt and black pepper to taste
- a dash of nutmeg (optional)
- Bring 8 cups of water to a boil in a large pot on stove
- Add pasta and cook until it is al dente or firm to package directions
- While pasta is cooking, steam cauliflower in large pot filled with 1 or 2 cups water (place cauliflower steamer basket)
- Shred cheese by hand with grater or in a food processor
- Grate cauliflower by hand using a grater or pulse in a food processor
- Mix grated cheese, cauliflower, butter, and seasonings in with drained pasta
- Stir well and enjoy!
If you know a family still making boxed Mac & Cheese, or in need of a little inspiration, please share this post with them.
Together we are changing the world.
Lots of Love,
Food Babe
P.S. Does your pantry need a make over? Or perhaps a friend or family member’s pantry? Share some details below in the comments and who knows, I may show up.
10/31 Breaking News:
Kraft is removing artificial food dyes from 3 products aimed towards children. I will be commenting in full later. But you, the #FoodBabeArmy, please take action now. Tell Kraft thank you for listening, but they have more work to do. We want artificial food dyes that are linked to hyperactivity, asthma, allergies and contaminated with carcinogens out of all Mac & Cheese products.
The human body was not meant to eat petroleum.
Please share this post and spread the word. I’m counting on you.
Contact Kraft here:
Kraft’s Customer Service: #1-877-535-5666
Kraft’s Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/kraftmacaroniandcheese
Twitter: @KraftFoods @kraftmacncheese
Latest News:
ABC News: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/kraft-agrees-yellow-dye-mac-cheese/story?id=20745315
Chicago Business Journal: http://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/news/2013/10/31/kraft-shifts-slightly-on-food-dyes.html
Metro News NYC: http://www.metro.us/newyork/news/national/2013/10/31/kraft-drops-artificial-food-dyes-following-food-babe-led-petition/
Creative Loafing: http://clclt.com/theclog/archives/2013/10/31/despite-what-kraft-says-food-babe-scores-victory-against-company
Love this! You are starting a food revolution! 🙂
Go for it Food Babe!!! U R awesome
Hello! Thank you SO MUCH for all your hard work and diligence in educating us on the foods we are eating!! I want to make the homemade Mac N Cheese, but I can’t tolerate the taste of Goat’s Milk (I have tried to like it, really!). Do you have another healthy option for the cheese?
Thank you!
Kathy
I promise the cheddar tastes just like regular cheese!
I am having issues finding suitable cheese here in Greenville NC. The closest I can find is HarrisTeeter’s organic store brand cheddar(with carrots for coloring? seriously!) and the only mozzerella I can find is their store brand shredded(even their organic has the added “fiber”) I haven’t found any other brands for less than $7.00 for 80z(Organic Valley sliced) locally and no idea where to find it otherwise. HELP! Any ideas?
I would like you to be more identified with VEGANISMS, if you really want to make a profound change, that in fact you are helping and doing..
but veganism is the straight path to health!!!
It is not enough to recommend to buy organic milk, eggs, meat.. still the core of the issue is missed… still there is exploitation, abuse and pain that people is consuming in dairy and meat..
don’t trust too much in cage free, free range, grass feed “hypocrite labels.”
I invite you to investigate deeper in the animal holocaust industry.
I appreciate a lot all the effort you are doing to help people… but you can do even better for yourself and others!
God bless you.
Those parents were laughing the whole time… It’s not funny that you are buying and feeding your family this garbage. 99% of the country shares their ignorance and stupidity and that’s why we are in the food situation we are in.
Maybe they are laughing because they are realizing what they they are doing wrong……………let”s applaude that and not call them ignorant or stupid.
I don’t applaud anyone who needs their hand held In order to stop feeding poison to their family. People need to open up their eyes, use some common sense and stop being ignorant. If everybody stopped buying garbage it wouldn’t be so hard for people like me to eat organic.
Erin, some people do need you to “hold their hand” to help them learn how to incorporate healthy habits into their lives. There is a multibillion dollar industry invested in making sure that toxic food seems easier and more appealing than real food. Not to mention that it is the social norm to eat that way, and people who question it are seen as weird, boring, and to be pitied for not “enjoying” food, although that isn’t true. Add food addictions to the mix, a hectic schedule, and children who have been trained to eat a certain way and don’t think they will like something new, and breaking the cycle can be very difficult. In a perfect world, everyone would be well informed and interested in making healthy choices, but that will never be the case, sadly.
Candace, I agree with everything you said. It’s just sad and frustrating how unwilling to change people are. The majority would choose pharmaceuticals and surgery before changing their diet. Then we need to feel bad for them when they get type 2 diabetes or other self caused diseases. My point is the majority are uninformed by choice and are lazy and negligent with their health and food choices. This is a nation who would rather play the victim than take accountability for their own bodies.
I agree with Nancy; I don’t think they were laughing at the situation directly. They seemed to be taken aback when she was telling them about the ingredients. I think it’s encouraging that the family seemed to receptive to change. Disparaging people who don’t know any better isn’t going to help the cause.
I think it is the duty of someone in the know to “hold” another’s hand and help them out- and that is exaclty what Vani is doing.- so kudos to her.
When I opened my eyes to the food industry, I can tell you laughing was the farthest thing from the emotions I was feeling. And are they really that serious about change when they still have Kraft in their cupboards.. It doesn’t take a food expert to tell you that ingredients such as yellow are not good for you. The food giants are the problem here but they have only gotten to their position of power due to the millions of people who blindly buy their products. People need to take accountability for what they are putting into their bodies. ‘Not knowing any better’ is lazy and ignorant.
Erin. Please just realize that some people laugh out of nervousness, laugh to make others feel welcome, or laugh for comedic relief. The fact that they have invited Vani into their home and listened to her message is the real story here. Most people grew up thinking the right way of eating was a certain way, and now they are becoming informed. Please do not condemn this family for wanting to become healthy and learn more. How would you feel if someone called you stupid at the beginning of your journey when all you were trying to do is become informed? I myself have a lot to learn and find it offensive that you are putting this family down when you should be encouraging and trying to help just like food babe. Thanks for all your effort food babe – you are reaching us!
They might have been laughing but at least they agreed to open their home up to Vani and their minds to learning a healthier way to eat for themselves and their family. It truly is a process that takes time and patience to incorporate huge changes in diet. Too many have what I call a herd mentality and just blindly go with the flow without question. Education is the only way to get ourselves healthy.
Foodbabe, you continue to amaze me. Fantastic work. I wish more people could see this and have their eyes opened.
You are amazing & inspiring!
Bravo, Food Babe! I love your new FBI acronym 🙂
LOVE what are you doing! keep it up! 🙂
Please tell me where you can get that goat cheese for $3!! I’ve been paying a little over $8 for it..
I agree…I have NEVER found that cheese for $3!
Wonderful story! Food Babe, what is the best bread to buy?
I love the kind you get in the freezer section called Food For Life Ezekiel Bread. It’s completely whole grain, not even ground up into flour yet and sprouted to active digestive enzymes.
It’s O.K. to eat this crxx food. When you get sick you can go to the doctor and get a pill. Insurance will pay for it.
Food Babe, I’ve tried my best to like the Food For Life Ezekiel Bread. I really have. But I have to be honest. It’s super dry and doesn’t taste great at all! My family refuses to eat it. Are there any brands you would recommend that don’t need to be frozen? What about Alpine Valley? Their ingredient list, while not as great as FFL, still seems good.
This was a great video. I am jealous of your job. It is my dream job to do what you do. You inspired me to start my own blog http://www.theorganicdietitian.com.
Ditto! I want that job! I would be so good at it too! Already do it wherever people will listen to it. Good for you Sara: inspire away!
Sara: just checked out your website: awesome! Great job. Joined your list as well. Cheers.
Thanks. Glad you like it!
Sara- Just looked at your blog! Looks amazing (especially the Raw German Chocolate Brownies, YUM!). I’m so glad to hear Vani inspired you to do this and I hope you keep it up!
Thanks for checking it out. Those brownies are awesome! One of my most popular recipes so far.
Great work, similar to what Jamie Olivers’ revolution was trying to do. One house at a time!
Vani, You are great, I almost cried seeing a wonderfull family change for the better.
BTW, have you seen the beer or sports related commercial where the Dude tailgating has only an organic Quinoa vegie burger and it is totally denigrated and put down so the “meat” industry could smile….I eat organic Quinoa 5 times a week for the protein, etc…..keep up the fantastic work!
Rich M.
Good for you, quinoa is a great food – it is not wheat and it has high protein for a plant product. However if the quinoa burger is wrapped in a wheat bun you are defeating the purpose. Use quinoa as a salad with yogurt, green onions and chopped almonds. Another way is quinoa tabouli, just use the wheat recipe and leave out the wheat. By the way the root of the word for salad is salt (from French I think). Salad does not mean lettuce. Lettuce is good though to wrap all the things you could wrap with bread.
Hi Vani,
I have been following you for about 3 months now. I have my own health journey I have been on due to complications from eating toxic foods. My diet is pretty clean but some of your investigations have inspired me to do another round of clean ups… Specifically my teas and trader joe purchases. I applaude and admire what you are doing and would love to help spread your message. I live in Kansas City where people seem so closed to looking at things from a different prospective. Convincing people to go back to whole, live foods and take responsibility for the food they ingest has been an uphill battle for sure! I just wanted to let you know I am working hard to educate and spread the message here in the middle of the country and would be delighted to collaborate in any way possible!
Peace and veggies,
Katrina
Katrina- This message means so much. I know it can be tough but we can’t thank you enough for your help. Vani is so lucky to have fans like you. I promise your hard work is not going unnoticed!
Nice vid! I really like all the hard work that you’re doing to reach out to others.
Thanks to you, my pantry is currently all natural items and I’m currently working on getting rid of GMO type products. =)
Yay!
Vani- I’ve been following you for some time now, and this video is fantastic. It’s what americans need to see. Keep up the great work.
I would love you to find products and recipes that accommodate to the following needs, no to all of these: wheat, milk, soy, eggs, peanuts, and fish.
Great video; Americans continue to eat garbage because they don’t know any better and the food companies get away with it in the U.S. vs Europe and the rest of the world. America needs to wake up; Food Babe is making a difference, one step at a time!
Bless the couple in your video: they’re such good sports!
I love it!
The thing that saddens me the MOST is when people are TRYING to do the right thing and they’re bamboozled by the food companies with terms like 100% all natural, or 100% whole grain, such as this family.
The second ingredient listed in these 100% natural products could be high fructose corn syrup, but it’s too late…the sale was already made based on the advertising!
Wow! That was great! Very entertaining!
Thank you for doing this! I still go to the store with the magnifying lens .
I have quite a few food allergies and some of the ingredients you pointed out ,
Answered some of my concerns! I certainly will pass this along!
Great job Vani!!! My family isn’t eating perfect but were definitely heading that way. Thanks for all you do! God bless!
I enjoyed this post and video very much and in some ways can relate to the family you visited! I am a homeschool mom with 5 wonderful children and husband. I’ve been following your blog for some time now and find all your research fascinating and yet overwhelming all at the same time.
Since reading your posts, I have made some changes for my family for the better (ie: NO more Kraft Mac and Cheese), but we are still a work in progress. I’ve always been health/exercise conscious as diabetes and obesity runs in my family. I have been especially concerned about my family’s diet when my mom was diagnosed with a blood cancer a little over a year ago. That was a wake up call for me and a scary time.
I’ve been researching on how food can be toxic and I don’t want any members of our family to grow up with health issues based on our (poor) diets. I would LOVE for you to visit my pantry and give our family tips on how to make better food choices, especially since my husband doesn’t always read all your research so he buys products I know aren’t the best for us. I drink a green smoothie every morning and try to eat as healthy as possible. My husband and kids aren’t as supportive of my “healthy” food choices. I really think we need some “Food Babe” tips and suggestions so our family can all be on the same page together. Thanks so much for all you do and come visit anytime! My pantry needs a makeover! 🙂
I would love for you to make over my mom’s pantry! It is literally stuffed to the gills with processed foods. She takes care of my grandpa who has Alzheimer’s disease, and she has hypertension, and she knows how to eat healthy, but thinks cooking healthy food is boring and time consuming, and that veggies are yucky! She takes care of my baby while i work and I’m not looking forward to the time when he starts eating more food than milk and she starts telling him mommy’s healthy food is yucky! I would love it if you would help my family to learn how to make healthier choices 🙂
What a great video! Thank you for investigating and sharing the results. I’m excited to see how Chick-fil-A changes their ingredients to more healthier options as a direct result of your work. I bet it’s the anti-foaming agent in their oil that is also a main ingredient in silly putty. Watching and waiting and eating better because of you.
I’m anxiously awaiting the results of the Chick-Fil-A report myself! 🙂 A couple of my friends own the store in our local mall, but I’ve barely eaten there since last Summer….
Hey There! I love your segments, but I have to say, the raw goat milk cheddar that you used in the segment is definitely not close to $3… I buy that brand all the time–and I totally endorse raw milk goat cheese–but it’s $7 or $8 a block at my Whole Foods Market in Atlanta, GA. Is it really available for $3 somewhere? If so, I want to know! On the price issue, however, I totally believe American’s should get used to spending a bit more money on food. In Europe, the average citizen spends 30-40% of their salary on food. Here in America, it’s only 10% per family and people still complain about prices! Then, they complain about their healthcare costs down the line..
Robin – I understand the sentiment, but I completely believe you’re unaware of the those who are a lower income then you. My budget for food is $60 a week. Do the math: if I have three full meals a day that’s about $2.83 I have to spend on each meal. I could never buy my weeks of groceries at whole foods, let alone a $7 block of cheese for one or two meals. I buy veggies and fruit, but I can’t ever buy organic butter or goat cheese, its not my reality and to some how belittle people for not being able to spend the money you do on food is irritating. There are plenty of people that are educated on these matters, but they still have to live in their reality, which isn’t the same as yours.
Victoria,
As a public school teacher, I too have a tight budget to work with for food and I can confidently say that I DO understand what it’s like to live within a low-income bracket. I make it work by planning ahead and make smart shopping decisions weekly to ensure that I’m bringing good, healthy food home within my budget. I only shop at Whole Foods for a couple of items, like the raw milk cheese, which I would never use for an entire meal–in fact, I can stretch that block about two weeks, shaving small amounts of it on meals . As someone who is mostly vegan, my meals are centered around cost-effective, healthy staples such as rice, quinoa, polenta and lentils. I add in-season vegetables from our city farmer’s market, where you can purchase organic vegetables for the same price as conventional produce at most commercial supermarkets. I do not spend money on any meat products and very little dairy products, so I don’t often have problems keeping within my food budget. Also, I choose to spend more money on food and LESS money on entertainment and material goods, which most Americans prioritize over food. It is this last point which is primarily what drove my original comments about salary and food expense in this country.
Vani, I LOVE YOUR MISSION!!! And share your info with my friends all the time! Keep up the good work! Do you have plans to visit the DC/Virginia area?
Hi! I just recently started to take a closer look and what my family and I have been eating lately thanks to your info and web page! I am beyond disgusted and disturbed. I would do anything for someone to tear apart my pantry and teach me how to be a better eater.
I lost my 2 year old little boy to cancer (not genetic) last Feb and I am so disturbed about all our findings. :(. Extremely terrifying to me. Trying to become healthier for my 3 year old and 5 month old and just overwhelmed.
Leslie,
So sorry for your loss. Take a deep breath….and start little by little. Eat organic if you can afford it, then get rid of high fructose corn syrup which is in a ton of food. After that, work on getting rid of the food that has dyes in it. My son is a serious athlete who loves to drink Gatorade. Regular Gatorade is full of dyes. I switched to the one single type (clear) that is dye-free.
Annies has a gluten free mac and cheese , I tweek it around with more cheese . I never had a kid turn it down , I started using rice noodles and the basics to make my own mac and cheese . Any noodle that is gluten free , butter , goats milk , cheese / sometimes mixing different kinds gives it a new taste . I never make anything the same but do stay in a frame work . I did try adding turmeric for color and a few other vegetables / herbs for color …. Rice can be used too !
You’re doing great work! I really enjoy your blog.
You are a gift from God !!! Thank you so very much for all you do !!! Keep sending out petitions and I will continue to sign them !!! I know you don’t have time to read every comment, but I want you to know that you are an amazing woman…. an amazing FOOD BABE !!! Love you and what you stand for…. Thanks again !!
I almost cried when I saw what you did with Kraft and Chick fil a . THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! For being a voice for the millions that don’t even know they need a voice. May God bless you in all you do 🙂
I think this was my very most favorite post of yours EVER. A real family, making real food choices, even if they are baby steps, was extremely encouraging to see! Every step in the right direction counts. Production value was fantastic as well! Way to go Food Babe team!! Keep up the great work! Really appreciate all you do!
Vani! Did you really get Chick-Fil-A to change some of their ingredients? Or is that old news???
Thanks so much for everything you do!
The specifics are coming! This is new news.
DEAR Food Babe: please start a certification training to be a kitchen cupboard inspector/ Food Makeover Artist! I would love to get paid 🙂 to go into people’s kitchens and overall their “food”! I have been concerned about gmos and active about prop 37 and educating others for 14 years now and I am appalled.
Signed, passionate food mama who wants to educate others too!! and does for whomever is willing to hear it. Love you!
P.S. Some nutritionists don’t know squat either…. I remember one time going to my Nutritionist friends house to find her feeding her young children partially hydrogenated Skippy peanut butter and pointed it out to her… She told me off saying her house her food her way etc… I thought she knew about nutrition? Not.
Great work. Would love to see all your hard work in Spanish so the Spanish speaking community can learn about the ingredients in a lot of food. Thanks for all your hard work
What cheese substitute would be good for the mac and cheese? I have two kids that can not have dairy and I’m trying to find replacement cheeses.
I always added cauliflower and zucchini to my mac and cheese. Not only did it add that extra serving of vegetables, but my kids absolutely won’t eat mac and cheese at their friend’s houses. They don’t like the taste without the veggies and I’m happy since I don’t like the ingredients I know they’d be eating.
I love what you’re doing for America and I applaud your boldness and drive! I just recently discovered your site and have since tried to take a closer look at what I feed my little family of four. The part that discourages me is the prices of all these organic foods. My husband works two jobs to pay our basic bills (house note, utilities, etc) and most of the time we barely have $80 to buy groceries for two weeks. There is no possible way i can spend $8 on one block of cheese and $6 for Ezekiel bread. Do you have any suggestions for families on extremely tight budgets? It’s not fair to feel like I should have to decide whether to feed my family chemicals or keep the lights on. I will sign any petition you put forth…
I have been following you for some time too and love what you are doing! I am grateful someone is telling America how it really is! Thank you Thank you-If you need ideas- You could help out my military sons home pantry – being stuck with military on base food, and the nearest healthy store an hour or more away– wow-do you know a reputable health food mail order-ship to your home groceries-store?
Yes! This would be perfect for your son:
https://foodbabe.com/2013/05/16/organic-food-delivery/
I should also add that I help run a food pantry for the homeless here in my city. Now I feel like I’m handing these poor starving people nothing but poison…
I love what you do Vani. Thank you.
When I first came to realize what’s in our food (3 years ago now), I dedicated myself to about 2 years of full time research about health and wellness while I was a stay at home mom.
I tried talking to people about my discoveries, but they made me feel as though I was the crazy one, the fanatic one, the paranoid one. So I simply gave up, moved away and tried to stop caring. I turn a blind eye to what others eat and how they live, but know what it is I need to do to look after myself and my family.
So when I see you and others like you, are actively and successfully spreading the word and not being trampled down the way I felt I was, I find it is really awe inspiring.
Thank you!! this is wonderful and I am making small changes each week that have added up so far to a few big ones. The more I hear the more upset I get about what our government allows to happen to our food!!
I actually began making my own mac-n-cheese (on the rare occasions when we do eat it), using organic quinoa pasta (a mix of quinoa & corn), & my husband likes it better than the store bought mix. Unfortunately, he doesn’t like to cook, so when I’m not able to, he makes the Kraft boxed stuff. I try to tell him that’s not a good idea, but he thinks I’m being “silly”.
Also, what should I do with the left-over half a bag of Ruffles sour cream & cheddar potato chips I kind of got stuck with from a youth group party the other night? (I’ve eaten a few, since we had them anyway, but I really don’t want to eat all those artificial ingredients that are in them….)
I’m excited to see the results of the Chick-Fil-A food changes! I used to like eating there, but have barely gotten anything there since last Summer (maybe a couple of side salads, no dressing, & a lemonade or 2)….
I think the most important thing you can do for people is get them to stop the wheat. You have such a good attitude and people will listen. You will be good at explaining “there are plenty of other things to eat besides wheat” as Dr Davis (Wheat Belly) tells us. It is easy to tell people you don’t eat wheat: they automatically think celiac and leave you alone. Note: wheat avoidance is not about gluten unless you have been diagnosed by a doctor with celiac. Thanks for all your research and spreading of knowledge.
See Vani’s #5 above: she talks about the modern, problem wheat.
THANK YOU for all you do VANI!! I’m so happy to know I’m not alone in this crazy food world. I got so choked up at the end of this video I almost cried!! Don’t back down and only settle for the best…. we’re behind you!
Great job! I’m all about eating organic. Perhaps you could do a bit about making and baking your own bread!
Thank you for all that you are doing!!!
I’m confused…you tell the parents in this video to buy only 100% whole wheat pasta(“not 50%”)…yet on your blog post about pasta you talk about all the evils of whole wheat pasta?? Isn’t that contradictory??
Great work and video! 🙂