Reading the labels of some childhood snacks – we are shocked at the ingredients. How did we survive living off these? How many did we eat so many in one sitting? How is this legal to serve to kids?
Did you know? Goldfish Crackers are an ultra-processed food. Off the bat, this is not a “real” food. Let’s dive into the the label from the box.
“So the next time you’re feeling snacky, grab some Goldfish® crackers – The Snack That Smiles Back®. ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR, VEGETABLE OIL (CANOLA, SOYBEAN AND/OR SUNFLOWER OILS), SALT, SKIM MILK POWDER, YEAST, SUGAR, AMMONIUM BICARBONATE, SODIUM BICARBONATE, SPICES (ONION POWDER) AND MONOCALCIUM PHOSPHATE.”
- Enriched Wheat Flour – Comes from grains that have been refined. The germ and bran are removed from the wheat grain, This means the grains have been stripped of all vitamins and nutrients. Sadly, our bodies can’t use these manufactured minerals. Also, this flour has a high glycemic index, which increases blood sugar levels.
- Vegetable Oil – Soybean oil and canola oil are made using chemicals. They go through processes such as steaming, neutralizing, de-waxing, bleaching, and deodorizing. These seed oils are very high in omega-6 fatty acids which increase inflammation in the body. The oil used in Goldfish Crackers are from GMO crops. These crops are commonly contaminated with Roundup weed killer.
- Autolyzed Yeast Extract – A flavor enhancer derived from yeast that contains glutamic acid. It is an amino acid that gives food an umami taste. It is better known as a substitute for MSG. It makes the crackers addictive, which is why it’s hard to portion control.
- Non-Organic Cheddar Cheese – Cheese that derives from this dairy is not healthy. It has residues of antibiotics, synthetic hormones, and other drugs given to animals on factory farms. In 2018, Pepperidge Farms, parent company of Goldfish Crackers, recalled certain products. They did this because their whey powder was contaminated with salmonella.
Ditch these and make your own! Here’s a fun and easy way to make a homemade version of Goldfish Crackers. With only 3 ingredients! When you buy your own ingredients – you can control what goes into your food.
Source: https://feedingtinybellies.com/homemade-goldfish-crackers/
Ingredients
- 2 cups (8 oz) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup freshly milled flour (or if you can’t find some: organic unbleached flour)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, cold
- 1-2 tbsp ice water, as needed
Steps
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
- Add the shredded cheese, flour, and butter to a food processor and pulse it in increments until it forms into a grainy, sand-like texture
- Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of iced cold water to the food processor and pulse until it starts to form into a dough
- Place the dough mixture onto a surface and lightly knead it
- Form a disc with the dough, wrap it in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes
- Roll out the dough onto a lightly floured surface ⅛ to ¼ of an inch thick. Use a small cookie cutter to cut out small shapes from the dough
- Place the shapes on a parchment paper lined pan
- Bake the crackers at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes or until the edges are slightly brown. The total cook time will depend on the thickness of your crackers. Keep a very close eye on the crackers as they can burn quickly. Let them cool completely before serving.
P.S. To amp up the quality – make this with raw cheese and raw butter! It will be full of nutrients, active enzymes, and good bacteria.
- Lake Meadows Naturals in Ocoee, FL has raw cheese. They’re open 5 days a week. Call ahead to check if what you need is in stock. They offer different options and giant blocks.
Lake Meadows Naturals
(321) 206-6262 ext. 2
10000 Mark Adam Rd, Ocoee, FL 34761
- Raw butter is harder to source – it can be made with a food processor/mixer and heavy cream that has never been pasteurized. There is also the famous farm in Pennsylvania: Miller’s Bio Farm that ships nationally. This option is pricey, but I’ve been a customer when visiting family in NJ. The quality is top-notch!
https://millersbiofarm.com/store
