"Someday's gonna be a busy day..."

Wednesday 17 March 2010

A cheezee-tastrophe


Of late, I've been trying to avoid eating crap with artificial flavouring and colouring and preservatives. It's my newest health kick. It's shocking to see all the stuff that has fake colour and flavour in it, and I figure what goes into me goes into Jade - for a few more months, at least - so I'm just trying to be a bit smarter and read labels a bit more closely.

One of the biggest culprits is the junk food I so adore. My favourite - Cheetos Crunchy (think cheesies with all the air sucked out of them)- is chock-full of fake stuff. I know what you're thinking: "Well, duh, Kimberlee. That colour of orange just doesn't exist in nature." Yeah, I know. But while I was pregnant, I kept telling myself they were okay to eat because they contained folic acid, so important for pregnant moms! But that doesn't cancel out the MSG, fake flavour and Yellow 6 dye they're saturated with.

I was half-heartedly looking for an alternative in the grocery store, when what to my wondering eyes appeared but a bag simply called "Hawkins Cheezies." It was smaller than my usual bag of crap, plus the label proudly proclaimed "No preservatives!" "Made with real cheese!" and "Made in Canada!"

Well, I wasted no time in grabbing that sucker and popping it in the grocery cart. I couldn't wait to get home, rip into it and savour what would likely be a turning point in my junk food scarfing experience.

Strangely enough, I forgot all about the magical bag of Hawkins Cheezies until this afternoon, when I was trolling the cupboards during Jade's nap time for something to nosh on. I poured myself a little bowl and went to my favourite relaxing place on the couch. I sniffed the bowl in sweet anticipation. They smelled....cheesy. Closing my eyes, I plucked one from its orange little nest and popped it in my mouth.

WORST. CHEESIE. EVER.

My heavens, they were bad. They tasted like styrofoam dipped in salt, rolled in chicken soup mix and then more salt, then spray-painted orange. UGH! Then...I ate another one. (Well, I had to make sure the first one wasn't a fluke) Okay, I ate about 7 of them, just to be sure. And the 8th one tasted just as horrific as the first one, so I poured them in the garbage and said, "That's what I get for trying to eat healthy junk food."

But that wasn't the end of it, ohhhh no.

About three hours later, my tummy started rumbling. Dangerously. Like a broken septic system about to spew. I dumped Jade in her playpen and ran for the bathroom - and here I'll spare you the gory orange details. The damned things made me violently ill!!! I am so going back to Cheetos Crunchees. They may be fake, they may be bad for me, but at least my body doesn't reject them.

6 comments:

MrsS said...

“Ever notice that the whisper of temptation can be heard farther than the loudest call to duty.” ~Earl Wilson. Cheesus!

Lily Whalen said...

I'm rather fond of cheezies myself, Kimber, so will take advantage of your terrible experience and remember never to buy Hawkins! Thanks for the warning, and hope the runs were short-lived.

Lois said...

Hey Kim!
Sometimes you just got to bite the big one, or the small ones or even the little nibbles in the bottom of the bag....LOL!
I hear you girl....there is NO real substitute for Cheeto Crunchy's.
Eat a few, once a week, it won't hurt Jade and will make you feel better.
Bon appetite!
Lois

tanzi said...

Ah, been there done that. HUGE disappointment. Love the pic, though!

Anonymous said...

To each their own I guess. I love Hawkins Cheezies ever since my childhood. Their unique and salty flavour and classic crunchiness hits the spot when a craving hits.

Your story really made me laugh. Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

I did not realize how horribly bad these things bare for you.
Tonight I had terrible pain,worst pain I have had in my life..and I have had 4 babies..after doing some investagating I found out how horribly unhealthy they are for you...filled with dyes and garbage...I definitely will not be buying these again.EVER!