The 10 Most-Read Posts of 2015

Here’s what people were reading, sharing, and liking the most here at Real Mom Nutrition this year:

#1: The Truth About Fruit Snacks

A long-time pet peeve of mine: the “heath halo” that gummy fruit snacks have somehow achieved. Sure, my kids like them too, but they’re more candy than “fruit” or “snack”. I didn’t think that was a controversial view until I posted about it on the Parents magazine blog, and Let’s Get Real About Fruit Snacks became one of the most-read posts on their blog too.

#2: The Dinnertime Rule That Will Change Your Life

This rule couldn’t be simpler–but it can have an enormous positive impact at mealtime. It lightens your workload and stress level AND teaches your kids to be more flexible eaters.

#3: Peanut Butter Chocolate Oatmeal Cups

This is what happens when baked oatmeal meets a muffin. It was also the most popular recipe on my blog this year. I’ve heard from so many readers that they (and their kids) absolutely love these!

 #4: Why I Let My Kids Have Junk Food

This takes the prize for most controversial post. I like to think my approach to junk food with my kids is pretty reasonable and realistic. Not everyone agrees. This post generated a lot of comments with A LOT of different opinions!

 #5: My Post-40 Weight Gain Frustrations

When I hit “publish” on this one, I wondered if anyone was going to relate. Turns out, MANY of you could relate! It was fantastic to get so much support and hear so many of your stories too.

#6: Nutrition Advice That Drives Me Nuts

This post was the result of pent-up frustration–over the nonsense I hear and read every single day online (and from random people I meet who find out I’m a dietitian). The first one on this list is like nails on a chalkboard to me–and I even hear some fellow dietitians saying it!

#7: How To Take Your Homemade Pizza From Good To Great

I’m on a lifelong quest to make out-of-this-world homemade pizza, and these five tricks have all been game-changers for me (especially #4 and #5)..

#8: How to Start A Freezer Meal Co-Op

Joining a freezer meal co-op was one of the best things I did this year. It has completely changed meal planning for me and reduced my dinner-time stress tremendously. If you want to start one (and you should!), this post will show you how.

#9: 15 Food-Free Ideas for Classroom Rewards

When a reader emailed me that her son’s school was rewarding kids with soda, I took to my Real Mom Nutrition Facebook page and asked for suggestions and advice for her. I got a slew of amazing ideas for non-food rewards that were working in schools all over the country. So I compiled my very favorites into a list–and even made a printable list you can pass along to teachers!

#10: Why I’m Tired of “Foods Your Should Never Eat!” Lists

This post never gets old because these lists NEVER STOP COMING. In fact, I saw one the other day called “Snacks That Are Slowly Killing You”. Stop the madness!

Photo of cereal by Jamey M. Photography, courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons.