First Lady Michelle Obama is asking restaurants to reduce the serving sizes in kid’s meals and include healthier side dish options such as carrot sticks and apple slices. I applaud Mrs. Obama’s desire to eliminate childhood obesity, and I would even consider supporting stronger government regulations . . . if I thought it would fix the problem. American children are not obese because their only options when eating out are a cheeseburger with fries or a grilled cheese sandwich with fries. It’s an entire cultural mindset that needs to change.
Americans have somehow managed to create a mental disconnect between what they eat and their health. And yes, excess weight is a health issue, not a cosmetic one, especially when it is spreading through the population so broadly it can only be categorized as pandemic. No one would suggest that the occasional trip to McDonald’s is what’s hurting our children, but rather the constant flow of junk foods into their bodies. Even at home they are surrounded by fruit snacks, chips, candy, and sodas. Even healthier foods, such as yogurt, are filled with processed sweeteners and petroleum-based food coloring, not to mention the brand that offers a cup of M&Ms on the side.
It is time for Americans to begin paying attention to what they are actually eating. Read those labels. Get to know the ingredients and how many calories are contained in the foods you eat, what a serving size actually is, what foods trigger cravings you can’t control, and what foods should never cross your threshold. I might be able to keep a bag of tortilla chips in my pantry and never over eat, but I could never keep a bag of chocolates without consuming half the bag in one sitting. I’m learning how my mind and body respond to the foods I eat. I’m learning how to take responsibility.
Fast food restaurants and junk foods didn’t come out of nowhere and take us by surprise, making us all fat against our will. Over several decades Americans have ceded the primary responsibility for our own food to those who are willing to manufacture it for us, hoping we will be back again and again begging for more; paying them our hard-earned dollars for the privilege of making us sick and fat.
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It's great to read things written by you Darcy. I've enjoyed getting to know Melinda a bit via Facebook, and Valerie pops in over there from time to time as well. I'm going to check out your past posts of your blog, and follow, if that option is available.
ReplyDeleteCouple of thoughts about this post. I appreciate your opening sentence about Mrs. Obama "asking" for help to the producers of meals to our nations children. Not really a regulation though, is it??
I remember when fast food restaurants opened. In fact I remember in probably 1969 or 70 when the first McDonalds came to the area, by the airport. One move that I think would help America lose up to 10% of it's excess weight is to close all the drive through windows. If you want it enough to park and go in, fine. But not having to get out of your car makes it way to easy to over indulge. Do you think we could get them to do that??? LOL! Take care. I have some great photos of you as a baby alongside Kyle.
Ah, good point Mrs. T! I made the jump from a "suggestion" (to the National Restaurant Association) to government regs. Not too far a leap though I think. LOL! I reminds me strongly of government rules already in place in certain jurisdictions that require menus to post calories for each meal/item.
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