Bread Crumb Alternatives

By Lisa VanWilliams

Breading chicken & pork, making stuffing, meatballs & meatloaf are just a few of items we add breadcrumbs into to add some texture and/or crunch. This is a pantry staple, but buyer beware of unhealthy additives that can ruin the healthy quality of your meals. Companies add several unhealthy things to preserve and give these products a longer shelf life. Hydrogenated vegetable oil and high fructose corn syrup are just a few of the things you don't want to see on your ingredients list. Hydrogenated fats are the worst for you because they can raise cholesterol and increase your risk for heart disease. Here are a couple of options to consider:

• make your own breadcrumbs from scratch, add dried herbs in the winter, fresh herbs when they are in season, and freeze what you do not use (lasts up to 3 months).
• buy plain or Kosher breadcrumbs and add your own herbs
• find an organic brand you prefer like: Bob's Red Mill, Trader Joe's Organic Brand, organic Panko, or Whole Foods 365 Wheat Bread Crumbs.  

Make Your Own

Ingredients:

5-6 stale pieces of bread or bake them in oven until toasted
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
salt & pepper


This type of trans fat should be consumed in limited quantities, especially children. Early intervention with children on the importance of eating unprocessed foods is key. Kids that develop a taste for foods made with these fats may be more likely to fall into the habit of eating them as adults. Teach your children the importance of making these healthy food choices -the earlier the better.