If you missed this week's season finale of the Friday night series, Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, you missed an entertaining and educational reality show of a hip, British chef attempting to change the way American school systems provide and prepare food for the children in their communities.
Choosing a community in West Virginia that was singled out as one of the unhealthiest cities in the United States based on incredibly high numbers of children and adults who struggle with obesity and diabetes, Jamie fought valiantly to change the food culture. He worked every angle to make an impact—opening a “kitchen” in the middle of town, reshaping the menus in the school lunch programs, teaching parents how to cook healthy, fresh foods, and helping students understand why it is important to eat healthier.
In what seemed like a conspiracy against him—the dominance of the frozen food suppliers, the budget of a school system that relied on cheaply processed and frozen foods, initially reluctant (if not too-lazy-to-take-time) parents, kids who were “stuck on” French fries and pizza for lunch, and even the skepticism of a local radio DJ—Jamie not only made significant changes in the school menus, but he became a force for change within the entire community.
Jamie’s Oliver’s food philosophy is simple—“when I talk about having a 'healthy' approach to food, and eating better I'm talking about achieving that sense of balance: lots of the good stuff, loads of variety, and the odd indulgence every now and then."
In every show, the food facts that the “Food Revolution” delivered were always helpful and informative and sometimes even shocking! For example, did you know that flavored milk—strawberry or chocolate—contains more sugar than soda pop? (Which milk do you think kids choose when all three varieties are available?)
One little change that you can make (which my husband and I made about 5 years ago) is to eat out less often and instead, prepare fresh meals at home for breakfast, lunch and dinner using fruits, vegetables and whole grains rather than processed foods. The big results will include more family time (cooking), and the consumption of fewer unknown ingredients or oversized portions resulting in less calories eaten and more dollars saved!
In addition, whether or not you have kids in school, you can become a part of Jamie’s Food Revolution—just click here to sign the Food Revolution Petition (the counter shows over 500,000 Americans have signed up so far), which states:
I support the Food Revolution. America's kids need better food at school and better health prospects. We need to keep cooking skills alive.
Be encouraged to make a difference!
Becky
I applaud these efforts! The one time I visited my niece's school during lunch hour, I about strangled the necks of everyone involved in the food preparation. The words that kept tumbling out of my mouth were "no wonder kids don't enjoy good food!" The choices were mostly unappealing. Needless to say, I did not enjoy it, and my niece thought I was from another planet!!!
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