I’ve always been a connoisseur of junk food, relishing both sweet and savory treats without a hint of regret. Growing up, I believed my tastes would mature, but that hasn’t happened yet. Now that my little one is approaching 4, he’s starting to indulge alongside me, transforming our home into a haven for snack lovers.
Before you raise concerns about his diet, let me assure you: his go-to snacks include apple slices and Persian cucumbers. However, he does enjoy cleansing his palate with a bowl of Mini M&M’s afterward. I typically don’t object—unless it’s right after waking up, when he requests ice cream sandwiches, or if dinner is on the horizon. Our meals are wholesome and home-cooked, but we also enjoy our fair share of flavorful snacks. And by flavorful, I mean definitely not Whole30 approved.
Open my kitchen cabinet, and you might find yourself dodging a bag of crunchy Cheetos or a bag of sour cream and cheddar Ruffles. Oh, those chips are divine! Alongside them, you’ll discover a bag of regular Ruffles (essential for scooping up French onion dip), pretzel sticks (my son’s favorite), and Smartfood white cheddar popcorn—my college obsession that I’ve now passed down to him. There’s even a bag of Trader Joe’s tortilla chips, which my son insisted we get, despite never having tried them. To me, they’re simply a more civilized way to savor TJ’s peach salsa than drinking it straight from one of the three jars I bought this week (yes, three jars).
Having a junk food-filled home isn’t new to me. As a child, I always had an abundance of chips, cookies, and ice cream at my disposal. Kids in the neighborhood loved visiting my house because my mom always provided a feast. I hope the same will apply when my son invites friends over—they’ll think he’s cool because of the amazing snacks I buy that their moms might not allow due to sugar and artificial colors (unless allergies are a concern, of course).
In high school, my baking skills earned me attention, with classmates I didn’t even know asking me to bake for their club fundraisers. I can whip up a chocolate chip cookie without breaking a sweat (raw cookie dough is a guilty pleasure, salmonella be damned!) and create Pinterest-worthy cakes in no time. Junk food has always been my comfort, whether I’m consuming it or baking it.
During college, I often survived on Ruffles and Slim Jims during exam periods, and I could down bowls of Lucky Charms while racing against deadlines. Even when I moved off-campus, baking remained a passion—I’d bring cupcakes to French class just for fun and surprise my theater friends with baked treats every week. I became so adept with Duncan Hines brownie mix that I didn’t even need to check the instructions anymore.
Sure, my affinity for junk food might hint at deeper issues, but honestly, I just really love it. Many people feel ashamed to admit their love for junk food, particularly with the rise of diets like keto. While health is important, I believe that enjoying junk food isn’t inherently bad if you’re mindful of portion sizes. Yes, I might devour more than my fair share of Cheetos, but I balance it with healthy meals and regular workouts.
If I snack on four brownie bites while standing at the sink, I’ll make sure to take my son for a walk afterward. Did I finish an entire box of Milk Duds in one sitting? You bet! I’ll ensure I work harder at cardio later and eat plenty of greens.
So when you see me at the store with a cart stacked with ice cream, just know the watermelon fruit bars and sandwiches are for my son; the Neapolitan ice cream, Bunny Tracks, and two different kinds of individual pies? Those are all for me. Feel free to give me a disapproving glance—I won’t be bothered. I’m proudly the queen of the junk food kingdom, and I’m not giving up my candy crown anytime soon.
For more insights into home insemination, check out this informative post here. If you’re considering starting a family, you might also want to visit this resource for valuable pregnancy information. Additionally, Make A Mom is an excellent authority on home insemination kits.
In summary, embracing my love for junk food brings me joy, and I believe in enjoying it without guilt. As I navigate this journey with my son, I celebrate our shared snacks and the comfort they bring, while ensuring we also prioritize health.