A Visual Look (Yuck) at American Food

For a visual image of what our schools and families are feeding kids, take a gander at Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution. The well-known British chef goes to Huntington, West Virginia, a town considered the most obese in the country and tries to single-handedly fix their dietary habits.

I realize the show isn’t perfect – Jamie’s personality is too brusque for my tastes – but just take a look at what schools feed our kids: Pizza for breakfast! Mashed potatoes from pellets! Purple milk!

Also, note how nasty people are to Jamie Oliver. While I can’t believe the chef was all that surprised by the school cooks’ reaction to his proposed changes, it is indicative as to how the culture wars have impacted America and how difficult it is to change engrained behaviors.

Think of it this way: Americans scream bloody murder when the federal government interferes with their lives. And yet look how the school administration CLINGS to the federal guidelines as if the rules are gospel.

If you have time, watch Part II, also. It kind of wild watching the kids not know what a tomato or a potato look like.

It will be interesting to see if Jamie – whose own self-righteousness seems to be hurting him – can prevail.

Comments

[Grace]

I could NOT believe that the kids actually wanted to eat that nugget after seeing how Jamie prepared it. But some of those kids? I think they saw the reaction of other kids and followed. Would have been interesting to see smaller groups of kids trying out the new lunches.

[brettdl]

The chicken nugget thing actually upset me, because it was so obviously vile.

I wasn't entirely surprised that kids didn't recognize a tomato or potato, but it's still scary to see. (I wonder if that happened in all the classes or just that one.)

I agree smaller groups would have helped, though I'm not sure how much.

[jay norris]

its a shame that kids these days seem to eat so much junk. Jamie is a great advocate of healthy food here in the UK - i just hope his influece and enthusiasm rubs off in the US too.

[Simon S]

I absolutely agree. Jamie is a good example to young individuals, I thin with his good intentions he can also do it in the US.

[jane kids diet]

I have to say that overall the choice of kids food throughout the world in restaurants is pretty grim. There is nothing better than feeding your kids a good lunch, but when we go out with the kids, there is nothing on the menu but sausage, chicken nuggets or fish fingers and chips.