clanmack Loc: Asheville, NC

Just saw this movie and it is scary at more than one level. The fast food and big food producers have used the same strategies about sugar Big Tobacco used for 30 years to lie and deny tobacco is addictive and harmful. They have used the same marketing and advertising ploys to hook kids, coopted schools and institutions that we trust to help us educate and support the raising of our children. More children are sick and dying of obesity than are dying of malnutrition. In the last 30+ years, Congress has tried three times to regulate sugar in food processing, and marketing/advertising, etc. Three times these big businesses have pulled out all stops, and BIG MONEY to thwart these public health policies, regulations and laws. All of this to the detriment of this country's health. The obesity epidemic has exploded since 1980. There was no childhood obesity that. The last report was over 57,000 cases, not to mention type 2 diabetes in children not even teenaged. Type 2 used to be called adult onset diabetes. High blood pressure, stokes, cardiac disease are rising rates. All because sugar is added to most of the processed food we buy. This is immoral and threatens the health of the American people. Tobacco had to be demonized to be beaten back and sugar will require the same, if we are to successfully resolve the obesity epidemic.

Bangee5 Loc: Louisiana

You don't like sugar... is that what you are saying? I do. I like sugar and I like salt. So tell me, what business is that of yours? Who are you to tell people what foods to eat? What kind of people watch movies about food and become scared?

dljen Loc: Central PA

You've brought up a good topic. I've gone off all processed foods and feel much better. I eat mainly fresh organic. Now that schools have adopted nutritional levels, they realize that kids are throwing their lunches away and of course this is a cause for concern. They're allowed to eat junk at home and expect it at school. They've taken soft drink machines out of school, now they'll probably bring them back. Yep, just heard on tv where they passed a bill opting out. Guess kids can eat chips and coke for lunch now. Crazy.

clanmack Loc: Asheville, NC

Watch the movie and then ask your question again. You seem kind of grumpy, you miss your sugar fix?

clanmack Loc: Asheville, NC

Last comment was to Bangee5.

dljen Loc: Central PA

When answering, please hit "Quote Reply" so the person knows who you're talking to. Thanks.

Bangee5 Loc: Louisiana

I could use a little boost...

Bangee5 Loc: Louisiana

What movie?

venturer9 Loc: Newton, Il.

dljen... I wrote about this several weeks ago... and my take on the school lunches is very simple... THEY are not that good and the kids don't like them....I have 7 grand children going to public schools and 5 of the 7 are not allowed to have any "Fast/salty/sugary foods at home.... They still think the food is lousy.

My wife and I mentor a child (each) at the grade school and as a perk, get to eat lunch with the child on the day we mentor..

I can tell you that I can totally understand the children's problems.... The food is not BAD, it just isn't GOOD...

Then our Administration has pushed the schools to REQUIRE the child to take 3 of the 4 choices offered... and the general result is that 3 of the 4 offerings end up in the waste Barrel. The last meal we ate before the summer break included "Mystery Meat" (chicken I think) breaded with the breading not cooked through. Carrots that were mushy and tasteless and the redeeming part of the meal for me (My little boy did not like it) was Cherry Crumble Pie (that's my name for it...) I also took the 4th offering which was french fries (oven baked) that were cold, tough and tasteless...... ALL GOOD WHOLESOME (maybe), NONE FIT TO EAT.....

I realize that schools differ and probably some of them have great meals,,,, ain't happening where I was... So instead of having something to eat (Even if it had been "not good" for them,) at least they would have had something in their stomach to hold them through the day if Snacks, etc had been served....

Also, the majority of meals are "Free' to the children (or they are charged a minimal fee) so not only is the food being wasted, but money is being wasted also...
I personally believe that if the school was to eliminate all processed foods (which they are serving now) and with the money saved, they could hire good cooks who would prepare "home Cooked" meals that the children would eat and enjoy.

Since I enjoy telling tales of my childhood, here are my experiences with the School Cafeteria food. In 1945-57 it was GREAT. Grade School lunches cost a Dime and this included 2nd's if you wanted. When I graduated into High School, the price rose to a quarter and this also included 2nds...

Mrs Jenkins was the Grade School Head Cook and she LOVED cooking, but loved even more seeing the kids eat her food and enjoy it.... ALL food was purchased locally, none was frozen or processed. My favorite Day was Thursday because it was CHILI DAY.... Chili con carne, with Beans, Peanut butter mixed with Raw Honey, Crackers, sliced peaches (only thing not local) and either a glass of water or Raw Milk, milked Fresh daily.

Everything but the Chili was served Family Style at the table. 2 of my buddies and I LOVED the Chili... We would call for 2nds, we would call for thirds and before we could call for fourths, Mrs. Jenkens would waddle over to the table with one of the LARGE Kettles with what chili was left, set it down on the table and say. "Eat it all boys, make it easier for me to clean.... We generally did...

The Highschool meals were very good also and offered a little more variation... but same basic rules applied..... I forgot to mention that in the gradeschool.. if a Child was not able to pay his/her dime for a meal,,, they were not embarassed or hassled, but somehow the dime appeared in the coin box at the end of the line...

The thing we need to do is pay attention to how the children are reacting to the "Politically correct meals" and adjust in a common sense manner to solve the problem...

Mike

dljen Loc: Central PA

You describe a time that I don't think is completely lost. I was looking on a FB page of my old high school and the lunch ladies. Every one of those ladies were old! That's who will revive home cooking but your taste and mine love that kind of cooking. For the most part, kids now, not so much. Mom and Dad work all day, come home and it's easier to call for pizza or get subs. Look at the carts in the grocery store, how many have processed foods, chips, pretzels, really not shopping in the fresh section or dairy. My nephew, when a child, would act up terribly when given anything with a great deal of sugar. Sugar is the worst. I used to be terrible because I never had to watch my weight so could eat anything. Now, I'm careful to eat good foods, watch carbs and only eat good fats.

I forget whether you said your relatives could or could not have sugar. If not, try Stevia. It's all natural, no calories and you can get flavored stevia for water.

Mike, I have a very easy recipe for a cake that is healthy. Get a can of crushed pineapple and an angel food cake mix. Add together juice and all. Mix with spoon or fork, it will foam up, this is normal. Put it in a 350 oven for about 35 min. checking to see if a toothpick will come out clean. It's tasty, makes a lot, you put it in a 13 x 9" pan. Has fiber and fixes that sweet tooth.

Anyhow, things can be done, for once we agree. Food is very important in schools and allergies are more predominant today than when we went to school. Schools should also have a nutritionalist to help the cafeteria staff. You don't skimp there. You are what you eat! :)

Emjem Loc: Perth australia

I am at present visiting the US for the first time and loving it. However, I am shocked at the processed packaged food. The most common ingredient in almost all foods is high fructose corn syrup. It is everywhere. I even found it in a packet of cheese toast which my host kindly served me. She was also shocked when I showed her the list of ingredients. Sugar is a problem sure, but high fructose corn syrup is deadly and much more a cause of obesity than sugar is. The manufacturers try to tell you that they are identical, but chemically they are not and the effect on the body is quite different. Examine what you eat and for your good health eliminate all "foods" containg HFCS and go back to real food that you prepare from scratch using real ingredients not the product of a chemical factory.

NDcanoe Loc: North Dakota

Here is a tip. Don't poke yourself in the eye with a pointed stick. It hurts. Just wanted to be helpful in case a government scientist hasn't already discovered this bit of wisdom.

Terrymac Loc: LONDON U.K.

Thanks for the tip. It was still a bit of a sad reply really as the OP's concern I think was for the children who have to eat what the parents bring home and don't have a lot of input until its to late, then they are addicted. IMHO.

Jade Warrior Loc: Sydney, Australia

1 Corinthians 6:19

GeneB Loc: Chattanooga Tennessee

You know, all my high school friends that have survived look old too. I cannot figure out what happened to them. :wink: