The craggy interior of a just-split English muffin ensures that whatever you spread on top of it will easily nestle inside, creating a perfect bite, every single time. Growing up, I ate my fair share of English muffins. And I loved them for that reason. The nooks and crannies meant my perfect application of butter and jelly would wind up in every beautiful bite. That English muffin experience of my childhood made me a forever-believer that English muffins are a pretty perfect food.
The Ingredients Matter
As a kid, I didn’t think about the ingredients that went into making that English muffin. I was too wrapped up in the experience of eating it and too young to care. It wasn’t until I went on to study nutrition in college that my approach to food began to change. I was fascinated by how what we ate either fueled or hindered our body’s ability to function. Learning the science behind it transformed my experience with food in the most positive way. I began to look at food as something more than just a delicious or not-so-delicious thing to chomp on, but also something that helped my brain, my heart and all of the rest of me function.
And how if I fueled it just right before a hike or tennis match or big exam, I experienced a much better performance. I learned that ingredients matter. That what we put into our bodies, matters. People often compare the human body to a sports car. Saying that if you put the right fuel and oil in it, it’ll do just what you want it to. I agree! If you put junk in your body, your body can’t do what you’re asking it to do. So yeah, ingredients matter.
The Foods Matter
The ingredients matter even more when it comes to the foods you choose. There have been many times that I’ve purchased a food, ate it and thought, “ugh, what was in that!?” Come to find out, there’s an ingredient in there that I don’t, or my body doesn’t like. Because of that, I make a point to always read packaging information, including nutrition and ingredients. Because I want to know what I’m putting in this miracle machine.
But what does this have to do with English Muffins?
Here’s where it all comes full circle! For years I didn’t buy English muffins because I didn’t like the added preservatives and stabilizers in the packaged varieties. I was also disappointed in the flavor; why did they taste so bland and boring? So instead of buying them, I decided to make them. What I learned was that while making them was a fun process, it wasn’t something I wanted to do on a regular basis.
Ugh, were there any English muffins out there that could fit the bill?
Just when I’d almost lost all hope, I discovered Dam Good™ English muffins. What sets them apart from everyone else is that their English muffins use a sourdough base. This gives all of their muffins that delicious recognizable sourdough tang.
Beyond flavor, I also love that sourdough offers up some potential health benefits. Research has shown that fermentation may help with everything from managing blood sugar to improving gut health. And since the flavor of sourdough is so delightfully tart, it doesn’t require the same level of salt as regular bread, making it a good option for those who need to follow a low-sodium or heart-healthy diet. Studies have also found that fermentation boosts the antioxidant activity of foods, making it a helpful tool for maintaining health while also potentially warding off disease. (Nutrients. 2019)
Finally, I love their short ingredient list that’s 100% vegan and non-GMO. You won’t find a long list of preservatives or any other unnecessary fillers. The muffins feel more like something your grandma made in her kitchen than some big-box corporation.
Smart Shopping
All this being said, the choice is ultimately yours when it comes to your food purchases. Many of us don’t have the time or want to find the time to read labels or research the brand to make an informed choice. But I challenge you to do just that. Because unlike cars, you can’t replace your body. You only get one, so it makes sense to care for it more than you would a car. Here are some steps to get you started.
- Make time. Find a reoccurring time that works for you for meal planning and meal prep. Give yourself about 30 to 45 minutes a week to do this and you’ll feel organized and prepared. Giving up this time will actually save you time in the long run, I promise.
- Educate yourself. Research brands and companies, their foods and nutrition labels. You don’t have to do this all at one time, but maybe as you stumble upon them. You always read the back cover of a book before you buy it, why wouldn’t you do the same for the food you plan on eating?
- Know what’s important to you. If you’re vegan or vegetarian, use that to help guide you. If you prefer brands with an eco-conscious platform, shop for them. If you prefer companies who are clear about how their food is made, support them. Sometimes leading with what’s important helps narrow down your choices.
- Change your mindset. If you think eating to fuel yourself is “work” or is “boring” or a waste of time, it will be. Negativity just fosters more negativity. Instead, do the thing everyone advises and turn negatives into positives. Once you do, you’ll be surprised at how much better the experience will be.
This is a sponsored post written by Registered Dietician, Sara Haas. All thoughts and opinions presented are her own.