Keebler Graham Cracker Ingredients: Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate [Vitamin B1]Riboflavin [Vitamin B2]Folic Acid)Sugar, Whole Wheat (Graham) Flour, Cottonseed and Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil with TBHQ, Molasses, Corn Syrup, contains Two Percent or less of Leavening (Baking Soda, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate)Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Soy Lecithin, Artificial Flavor.
So why are these treats so bad?
1. TRANS-FAT: Unlike the liquid omega-3 fatty acids lacking in most children's diets, these solid man-made fats make the brain membrane less fluid and alter the signaling ability of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine. When you start eating foods with trans-fat at early ages the less likely the brain will function proper as adults which results in depression and/or anxiety. Trans fats also interfere with the ability of the cells of the body to metabolize the fats that are essential for proper neurotransmitter function. Are you or your kids depressed?
2. WHITE FLOUR: Do your kids live off of cereal, sandwiches, crackers and pasta? A diet high in refined carbs causes deficiencies in selenium (linked to irritability and depression), chromium (essential for blood-sugar control), zinc (causes salty and sweet cravings), iron and B vitamins (lack of energy). A 14-year study examined and proved that these deficiencies caused antisocial behaviour as teenagers.
3. SUGAR: Sugar immediately boosts blood-sugar levels (and fat storing hormone: insulin) and creates a surge of energy and serotonin. BUT this surge is short lived; it puts kids on an artificial high in terms of brain function, but that stimulates the release of too much insulin which causes blood-sugar levels to plummet. In a short time, their brains are in a fog. They can't concentrate, they're irritable and find it hard to hold on to stable emotional reactions.
4. CORN SYRUP and SOYBEANS (GMO foods): Food that contains genetically engineered organisms transfer genetic material into the DNA of bacteria in the intestinal tract leading to a snowball of health problems. One of which, a decrease in serotonin (natural antidepressant). Our gut produces serotonin.
I already have a recipe for Graham crackers using almond flour (click HERE to find), but for those of you allergic to almonds or prefer to bake with coconut flour, here you go! This recipe was inspired by Joyful Abode.
3/4 cup coconut flour
1/2 cup vanilla whey or egg white protein
1/2 tsp Celtic sea salt
1 tsp aluminum free baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp Celtic sea salt
6 TBS coconut oil OR butter softened
1/2 cup erythritol (or Organic Zero)
1 tsp stevia glycerite
1 TBS vanilla
2 eggs
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium bowl, mix together the first six ingredients. In a separate bowl cream together the butter, sweetener, vanilla and eggs. Slowly add in the coconut flour mixture until you have a thick dough.
Grease 2 pieces of parchment paper with coconut oil spray (click HERE to find the one I like). Place dough in between the greased parchment and roll the dough to about 1/8 inch thick (try to make it even throughout or the thinner areas will burn). Remove top parchment and use a pizza cutter to score the dough into Graham cracker shapes. Use a fork to poke holes in down the cracker (see photo). Place the parchment onto a cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes or until light golden brown. Serve with unsweetened coconut milk or almond milk.
CHOCOLATE VARIATION:
-Replace:
1. Chocolate whey for vanilla whey
2. Chocolate extract for vanilla extract
3. Chocolate stevia in place of stevia glycerite
-Add in 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
NUTRITIONAL COMPARRISON (per serving)
Traditional Graham Cracker: 130 calories, 22 carbs, 1 g fiber, 2 g protein
"Healthified" Graham Cracker: 101 calories, 0.7 carbs, 0 fiber, 10.3 g protein
Skim milk: 90 calories, 12 carbs, 12 g sugar
Unsweetened Almond Milk: 40 calories, 1 carb, 0 g sugar
Unsweetened Coconut Milk: 50 calories, 1 carb, 0 g sugar
FYI: almond milk has twice as much calcium as dairy!
