 Hospitaliano is about to get a whole lot healthier. Darden Restaurants, the world's largest full-service restaurant company and the parent organization behind popular chain eateries including Olive Garden, Red Lobster, LongHorn Steakhouse and Bahama Breeze, announced today that it is committing to reduce the calorie count and salt content of its food and provide more nutritious options on its children’s menus. According to a press release from Darden Restaurants, specific changes include promises to reduce sodium in its offerings by ten percent over the next five years and 20 percent over the next ten years, establishing specific nutrition standards to guide the development of its children’s meals by offering more choices, and making fruits or vegetables the default side dish option and an 8-ounce serving of 1 percent milk the default beverage with free refills. In addition, Darden has pledged to work toward a ten percent reduction of calories over five years and a 20 percent reduction of calories over ten years by "reformulating, resizing and removing certain items, and introducing new calorie-conscious, flavorful choices," per the press release. Representatives for Darden Restaurants say that the company joined forces with the Partnership for a Healthier America - the nonprofit organization that works with the First Lady on her “Let’s Move!” initiative - to develop the nutritional benchmarks and will continue to do so as the effort progresses. Mrs. Obama previously announced collaborations with major food retailers across the country in an effort to stamp out food deserts and addressed to National Restaurant Association to express concerns over the high calorie content of their menu offerings. |
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Most Americans object to the excesses not the everyday expenses to entertain America's guests or the expense of upkeep of the White House. In these economic times when most of us have not had increases in salaries or pensions for several years it rankles when we see all the expense for unnecessary travel and entertainment by our President and First Lady. With many of our citizens saddled with credit card debt they are struggling to pay the President sets a poor example when he increases the National Debt with no thought for already overburdened tax payers and generations to come. The unemployment rate continues to climb. The polls we hear about fail to take into consideration those who do not qualify for unemployment or those who have used all their benefits. There have been no polls to tell us how many are working for pay far below what they previously earned. Prices are increasing on everything from groceries to car and health insurance. Most of our elected officials including our President send me the message that we American citizens mean nothing to them except at election time when they need our vote!
Bacon, cheese french fries so good! Yeeehah!
I think this is great news and I hope more restaurants follow suit. I rarely take my kids out to restaurants because the kids menus typically offer nothing but unhealthy food. When we do go out, I bring vegetables for them to eat along with the junk. I applaud the FLOTUS for raising awareness of the undeniably growing problem of childhood obesity. Yes it is about choices and moderation, and I don't support a nanny state. Clearly it starts and ends with the parents but I'm sure most of the parents eat unhealthily too and are just passing on these bad habits to their children.
Screw Darden. I worked for Red Lobster for 2 yrs & it was hell..
The lobster nachos were pretty awesome, though...
HYPOCRISY ...
The Obama's have a full time, live-in, pastry chef (paid for with our tax money.
While endlessly pontificating to Americans about diet, eating sliced apples, and
using the weight of the White House to influence restaurant chain menus ... unlike
the rest of us, the Obama's gorge themselves with lobster and $400 dollar a bottle
wine.
Let me guess....you think Bush or his Republican counterparts never took advantage of White House chefs or any lavish gourmet meals. yeah, right!
What idiocy. Like every other previous occupant of the white house, the Obamas host numerous dinner parties and of course they'd have an in-house pastry chef. What, would you expect them to pick up a cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory to serve to their guests?
It's not like they brought the pastry chef from Chicago – this is just one of several thousand white house employees. You're an idiot.
Yup, dude is a total idiot from the get go.
The kitchen staff doesn't get changed over with each regime. They come & go like any other business: some stay for a few years to pad their resume; others have been there for 20+ years. Get educated before posting ignorant blather.
Not a lot of hope for these clowns. Just easier to remain ignorant than educate oneself.
Point taken. At the very least, I have to try. If I can get thru to just one person ....
My hat is off to you. Happy blogging!
Edith!!!!Where's my diner???
is choosing not to choose, making a choice?
only thing missing is the fried bologna samich...
I'm healthy, eat right, and excercise. I made the choice, not the government....moderation is what it takes, not governmental control. Enough already....
I find it sad that you have people that will all ways find the negative in a positive situation. Why not applaud this restaurant group for realizing there is an epidemic that we all contribute to and for wanting to make a change? Sorry I forgot that using a person's race or government control as the basis for their individual argument which seems to be the popular thing to do nowadays. For a moment step back and look at the size of your family and eating out habits and say hey, we have some new healthier choices for our next family dinner. That is if you would like to, because we all have a CHOICE of what we put into our bodies.
All I can say is......what the heck were we thinking voting these people to this high office?
Beats the heck out of having some Rucking Fee-publican preaching the Gospel of the Right during State of the Union addresses.
I was High when I pressed the button in the voting booth.
Beats having a dashboard cowboy Texan that racks up 10 trillion in debt.
By bringing Perry into yet but another discussion not poltical in nature, you have shown your fear for him. You can't get him off your minds.. you are sooo scared. Keep it up, give him the free publicity, and watch Texas put another president in the White House.... again, and again. Enjoy! PALIN-PERRY 2012
Seriously, how much control of your life do you want to give the government?
I think the government should control every aspect of our lives from cradle to grave and be done with it.
Hey Flex we are on that track now!! Are you sure that's what you want? I don't! My family and friends did not die in wars for our freedom for "our" government to monkey around with every aspect of my life
The better not mess with my fettacini alfredo!!! :(
Maybe she could merchandise a new fat-free dressing that could also help shed some lbs off her fat booty. How about a fat-free cheesy ranch dressing with bacon bits. That's sounds like a winner. They could call the new cheesy flavor flav "Barack Obama."
Eazy, cheezy!
If you wonder why you'll never be invited to the White House for dinner, please ask. We know who you are and we can trace your email address directly to it's origins. Please ..... ask.
Who the heck wants to eat at the white house? get a life.
I wouldn't have a problem eating at the White House. For a patriotic American, it would be an honor to be invited regardless of who is the POTUS at the time. In fact, it's an honor no matter where you're from. "Get a life"? How 'bout you show some respect for the greatest country on the planet – warts & all.
I've served and fought, for the right to decide where I want to eat or not eat in this great country of ours. I also have the freedom to totaly disagree with you, God I love this country!!!!!
Of course you have all those rights. What are you, 12? You asked a snarky question with a snarky ending. I answered rationally without one. I win! [:-P
I can cut back on salt and fats at home. I occasionally go out to splurge. Can't the government stay out of ANY part of my life? Why do they insist that they know better than I do?
This is hardly controversial, yet people still find a way to criticize her efforts. She’s not “telling you what to eat,” she’s trying to raise awareness on the topic. What’s wrong with that? Because apparently Americans don’t know much about eating right considering we’re getting fatter and fatter. Childhood obesity is escalating at an alarming rate, leading to an increase in diseases like early diabetes (if you knew what was in school cafeteria food, I’ll bet you wouldn’t let your kids eat it). You let Ronald McDonald and pervasive advertisements tell your kid what to eat, why not let the First Lady suggest for them to exercise? It’s not like this is a government mandate. If you want to go ahead and overeat yourself to death, the First Lady isn’t stopping you.
WELL SAID KEL!!
HYPOCRISY ...
The Obama's have a full time, live-in, pastry chef (paid for with our tax money.
While endlessly pontificating to Americans about diet, eating sliced apples, and
using the weight of the White House to influence restaurant chain menus ... unlike
the rest of us, the Obama's gorge themselves with lobster and cases of wine, at
$400 per bottle.
While I applaud MRs. Obama's concern for our children, the attack on restaurants is misplaced. Unless a family is eating there every single night, childhood obesity is NOT caused by what is on the children's menu. It is caused by what choices are being made at HOME. But I guess it is easier to claim you are doing something by working at something meaningless.
How about all those little tubs of goo getting some exercise? While walking the dog this morning saw a school bus stop that looked a staging area for mini-sumo's – most of them sporting their little beer bellys
Unless they eat at the Olive Garden 4-5 times a week and stuff themselves to the point of puking that is not the problem for all the obesity – morbid obesity etc
The people who call Michelle Obama a fat cow are probably the same squawkers who call Ali Lohan an anorexic drone. Michelle Obama is a great role model for our kids – you don't have to be a toothpick to be healthy and beautiful. It's amazing how peoples' perceptions change from one article to the next. Please just educate yourselves before you shoot off at the mouth. When you read posts on these message boards it's not hard to understand why some people are still embarrassed to be called Americans. Fat slobby whiners who don't want to take responsibility for our children's health but also don't want anyone telling us to do it either. Poison your kids with junk food if you want, the weak die out and the strong will survive.
MICHELLE OBAMA IS A HYPOCRITE !!!
The Obama's have a full time, live-in, pastry chef (paid for with our tax money.
While endlessly pontificating to Americans about diet, eating sliced apples, and
using the weight of the White House to influence restaurant chain menus ... unlike
the rest of us, the Obama's gorge themselves with lobster and $400 dollar a bottle
wine.
Typical Black ass coming through! Is it me or she getting fat? Also, who thinks she's an attractive woman...Sorry, I dont see it! oh...and the boy-ama stays skinny!
You know, I am sick of seeing Michelle Obama trying to get all of us to eat better. It kind of ,misses the mark, when you look at HOW HER OWN FAMILY EATS.
Is it really fair to be in the public eye about food, when her own hips keep spreading too? I know I have noticed, and I think that's why there are few body shots of Michelle, showing her hips versus her rest of her body.
In my home town, the "Fat Czar" of Toledo, Ohio DID AND STILL DOES own a pizza restaurant... and formerly a bar.
Liberals need to take into account of how they do things is how people/the public will react... not what they say.
It's "Monkey see, monkey do." That was always the phrase... and no not a racist one either... you hater.
In essence, show me how to eat... don't just tell me and do the opposite.
I like Big Butts and I cannot lie !!
Hips, not butts
how often do you dine with the obama family? interesting you know their meal choices well enough to comment on them.
bout as often as your lard but
Tacos are delicious.
Yes they are.
especially pink ones.
i am older than dirt and recall a far more wonderful variety of foods available 20 – 30 – 50 – 60 – 70 and more years ago. i miss all that.
as i read through comments here I marvel that people can object to being told what to eat by Mrs Obama, since we have been hooked, lined, and sinkered for years, having long been told what to eat by a bunch of money-hungry bullies who use attractive images of people eating all sorts of things. why not object to that kind of mind-bending?
Thank you Ruth.
Bravo, Ruth. People don't know how to buy, cook or eat real food anymore. Processing ruins food nutritionally and its taste. But it's profitable, so it is promoted constantly.
Come on, America! Where is the accountability?! It should not take a restaurant chain or the First Lady to tell you how to feed your family. Educate yourself and be responsible. I grew up with three brothers. And you know what? My mother cooked healthy meals for us, and- made sure we knew how to cook healthy meals for ourselves and the family. We knew how to make smart choices when we went out to eat, and made sure we were involved in sports and extracurricular activities that kept us off the couch. Get with it, America. Be accountable for YOURSELF. Stop blaming politicians. Stop blaming restaurants. Look out for YOU.
Well said.
The usual liberal way. Don't just preach what we need to eat but use your position to force business owners to toe your line. Funny how she is forcing us to eat the way she thinks we need to while stuffing her azz on the taxpayer time.
How is she FORCING you? The unenforceable agreement is as weak as watered down tea. And the proposed changes almost imperceptible. The business end of it all is free publicity and public relations. It's a shame, the First Lady, who is first class, is being taken advantage of by business exec's who are a bunch of A$$holes.
THE OBAMA'S HYPOCRISY LEAVES A BAD TASTE ...
The Obama's have a full time, live-in, pastry chef (paid for with our tax money.
While endlessly pontificating to Americans about diet, eating sliced apples, and
using the weight of the White House to influence restaurant chain menus ... unlike
the rest of us, the Obama's gorge themselves with lobster and $400 dollar a bottle
wine.
So far, I have not determined a cause that Ms. Obama truly epitomizes. However, for darn sure, it is not nutrition! She is simply not a good role model for correct weight/exercise/health programs.
And you are? Just continue cramming down that industrial sized bag corn chips, honey.
Olive Garden has been reported by several news agencies as having one of the " fattest" menus. And, aside from the fat content, Olive Garden is extremely expensive for the menu provided. Pasta is cheap; therefore, the prices should be more in line with Mexican food restaurants. Shame on Ms. Obama for trying to palm off bad food and bad prices on Americans. Thank goodness, most of us know better! Does she have some sort of "deal" with Olive Garden?
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My beef is with the "food pyramid". Firstly, I applaud the First Lady who brought the complexity to the surface by having it change to a more simplier way to read and understand. However, if we truly eat what the portion sizes tell us, no wonder "fat" is amoung us. Really, do we truly need all those servings and portions DAILY? I think NOT and maybe, just maybe, our waistlines will decrease if we take things in Moderation and eat when we are hungry!
Very interesting indeed since the restaurants owned by this group offer some of the most fattening foods on the market. Those bread sticks offered at Olive Garden are covered in both lipids and salt. Most items served there are high in simple starches and sodium. Try to order something healthy at OG and its next to impossible. They have a mixed grill with burned dry vegetables. Then how about Red Lobster. Ever heard of Ceddar Bay biscuits? The main ingredients are shortening and butter. Then take LongHorn Steakhouse which offers corn fed beef laced i micotoxins from mold ridden corn. Not to mention the levels of hormones consumed by the cattle to "beef" them up. Then take the potatoes which are all simple sugars. You can eat a moderate sized baked potato or a quarter cup of sugar. The potato will increase your blood glucose levels faster and more than the sugar. That leaves Bahama Breeze. Maybe the healthier choice with lots of grilled items and salads. But very high in simple sugars for the drinks. You can drink your weekly calorie intake in no time. One thing does stand true through all of this. All of these restaurants order their foods from Sysco, US Food Service, and Ben E. Keith. So in the end, they all use the same suppliers and its hard to find anything healthy at any of them. I think Michele needs to stick with the school foods initiatives and her partnership with Jamie Oliver.
Finally someone who gets it! Thank you Rick. Fat does NOT make you FAT! Plain and simple. The natural fat in foods does not cause heart attacks. Natural fat in foods is fluffy and large – too big to get into your arteries. However too many carbs – i.e. – pasta, cookies, chips, white rice – you name it – unburned turns into fat, gets stored and causes weight gain. It's not the hamburger people – it's the BUN with it. It's not the steak – it's the rice or potatoes. Unburned carbs stored as fat – not the fluffy kind but the small hard particles of fat that can get into the arteries clogging them. Cut the carbs. Lose the weight.
Dude, please sing a song for us.
Today my daughter's pre-school teacher told me to pack all cheese foods, pre-made foods for her lunch, because my daughter is interested in other kids’ mac & cheese, Pasta etc. She suggests to keep my home made fresh food for dinner. I worry about the preservatives, sodium in the mac & cheese and Pasta. Since we are vegetarian, I can not allow my daughter to eat the food given at school. In a month only 3 or 4 vegetarian lunch are given at school.
Looks like many forgot to eat grains, vegetables. Even the salad is not vegetarian in restaurants. I can make 100's of veg dishes. But since they don't have sweet, whip cream or cheese, my daughter eyes are drawn to other creasy food.
Becuase of this presure, tomorrow I am going to pour the alfrado cream on the steamed veggies for her lunch.
Tomorrow morning, I'm going to use the bathroom and the usual morning dump. However, I will limit myself to just two squares of toilet paper (times are tough). Hopefully that will be enough to wipe everything clean. I will then flush it the toilet and wash my hands. I will then dry my hands and proceed to getting ready for work. Maybe I'll have cereal for breakfast. Or toast. I can't decide but I know for sure I want a glass of orange juice with extra pulp. Delicious.
Honestly, no one cares.
so you lost your brain somewhere along the morning commute.. go back and find it.. SS has a valid point.. the decisions kids and adults make are constrained by the options available..
and being vegetarian her kids have lesser options.. while the meat-kids eat up red meat and bulk up their arteries.. not pretty..
ReallyInterested.. get a life..
ing my pants,,,LMAO!!!!!!
After what she said about the flag on 911, Olive Garden would be the last lace i would go if it has anything to do with Michelle Obama. She is a JERK!
Michelle, demands that we eat rabbit food, while she gorges herself with lobster, $400 bottles of wine ... and, has a full time live-in pastry chef ... all paid for by us hard working tax payers !!!
Moooooochelle and Olive Garden, eh? Well, no more Olive Garden for me in that case. Why doesn't this so-called first lady just shut the h**l up and eat her peas?
Now, can we get that horrid underbite of hers fixed?
Nanny State at its finest.Still keeping a wonder drug from being used by a majority of folks.Cannabis....my Mom didn't have to suffer the terrible death at the hands of lung cancer.My hands are tied and shouldn't be.
Ok, what does that have to do with this article? And are you honestly saying that your dying mother wouldn't have suffered while dying from lung cancer if she just had some weed? Assuming that were true, what stopped you from getting it? It being illegal certainly isn't the reason, as it seems many college kids out there are able to find it without a problem. I suspect there was no suffering mom for whom current pain medications wouldn't work, only weed would and the big bad govt kept you from getting it. No, you're just trying to push an agenda.
Wasn't Olive Garden the chain that was using the "H2-NO" manual from Pepsi which instructed the restaurant how to discourage customers from drinking water and instead buying soda/lemonade (more $$$, way more calories)?
I don't think I've been to an Olive Garden in 10 years but I'm very aware of them. They have a huge advertising presence. I expect they will publicize the move toward healthier meals and this sends a message to other restaurants and the public. But, the actual change isn't going to have much effect on diet.
The Mayo Clinic recommends limiting sodium to 2300 mg per day, 1500 mg for those over 51 yrs of age and those with conditions that require a lower sodium diet. Nutritional information is available on the Olive Garden web site. The lowest sodium pasta dinner is angel hair pasta with tomato sauce at 1250 mg. Most are more in the range of 2000 mg, with two dinner pastas over 3000 mg. For chicken and fish, the lowest is an herb grilled salmon at 760 mg. This sounds like a dish targeted at the healthy eating audience. For somebody on a low sodium diet, this is half of their daily allowance. The typical eater is more likely to choose dishes that range from 2000 to over 3000 mg.
The bottom line is that 5% reduction in 5 yrs and 10% in 10 yrs is much too little too slowly to make a difference in the American diet. It's unclear to me what 10% means.. .10% on their overall menu on average, or 10% for every dish? A couple of dishes that nobody orders that are very low in sodium could fulfill the requirement.
Regardless, if we're going to eat healthier, the better approach is to teach people how to eat healthier at home without it being an extraordinary effort. Let's not teach Americans that we can achieve healthy diets by a trivial change to restaurant food. Once in a while, enjoy eating out. Put the effort into eating healthier at home.
AMEN!!!! Personal and parental responsibility-that's the only way we're going to win this battle. Slick corporate ad campaigns and taxpayer subsidized publicity via the First Lady for symbolic gestures accomplish NOTHING!
If you want to eat at home, go right ahead. I prefer to eat out, as I HATE to cook, and don't have much time. It's all about choices, so don't tell me to stay home and I won't tell you to go out. And no, I'm not fat, and yes I do go to Olive Garden, and Longhorn quite often. You don't have to eat the entire meal if you don't want to. Order smart and eat half. Honestly though, I wish everyone would just mind their own business, and stop trying to tell people what to do, especially the Obamas.
missed that brown spot on your nose.
Only irrational Obama haters, bigots and unrepentant slobs could possibly find something negative to say about this. Promoting healthier eating habits hurts no one and only illuminates the Obamas shared concern for the American people and the public health of the nation.
Wow, people who don't agree with taxpayer money being used to fund promotion of a SYMBOLIC (that's what I'd call a 20 percent reduction in calories over 10 years) gesture are irrational Obama haters, bigots and unrepentant slobs according to you. What does this really do for the obesity epidemic? Here's a better question-what does this do for the sales for the corporation that owns these restaurants? And how much are they donating to Obama's campaign for the "free" publicity that isn't free at all (taxpayers are paying Michelle's staff and expenses to promote this meaningless tripe)? Just because one doesn't subscribe to the notion that the Obamas are the best thing to come along in decades does not make them haters, bigots or anything else. Grow up and stop the childish name calling.
shared concern? huh? what shared concern? this is their project du jour! how much easier of a project can Mrs Obama possibly work on?
sick of their constant need to tell me what to do...i'm 40 years old and can choose my own healthy meals and that of my sons...maybe she should go after the soda companies or sugar substitutes...or how about just leaving us alone to make up our own mind...we are not a nanny state, but we're slowly getting there
LET US EAT WHAT WE WANT!! WAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You are right. We hate her and everything she breathes, says or does.
According to a press release from Darden Restaurants, specific changes include promises to reduce sodium in its offerings by ten percent over the next five years and 20 percent over the next ten years, establishing specific nutrition standards to guide the development of its children’s meals by offering more choices, and making fruits or vegetables the default side dish option and an 8-ounce serving of 1 percent milk the default beverage with free refills.
In addition, Darden has pledged to work toward a ten percent reduction of calories over five years and a 20 percent reduction of calories over ten years
------------------------------–
10 years!!!! This could be done in 2 weeks.
Must be following Obama's lead on improving the economy.
The reason why it's being reduced over a long period of time isn't that illogical. Marketing studies have showed that a gradual reduction process introduced to a populace in this case America, is more easy to accept and people get used to it without too much of the "shock factor." If they reduced the calories and salt by 20% in too short of a time, there's a poissbility that "shock facto" resistance would kill the idea. This has shown to be true when you also aggresively increase something. Think of the boiling frog experiment.
thank you, gerry. i wish people would rely more on their thought processes to be objective and constructive about solutions, rather than spout off short-sighted opinions. first they bitch about people being fat, then they cry about our attempts to help improve the national waist line. if we actually cooperated, it'd save us MILLIONS of dollars in the long run.
You can have all dat salads cuz I got all dat goooooold!!!!!!
What?
You sho is full of it, and that ain't no jive.
I agree that the gov gets involved in a lot of things they shouldn't BUT there is a large amount of parents who obvisously do not care enough about their child's health to learn correct eating habits or they are too busy shouting 'It's my child child I can feed them fried fat everyday if I want!' If Mrs. Obama is getting restaurants to serve more nutritionally balanced meals helps in the slightest then we should applaud both parties. Too many people compalin they don't have time to fix adequately healthy food so here is another way they can avoid committing the time to their family...they can still go out and call for take out. If restaurants would have better choices those who are committed to their childrens health may go out to eat more often. Using the line that restaurants offer salads to people who don't want fried, processed nastiness drives me crazy- even salads can be horrible for you! There are so many dishes that can be manipulated to make them far better than what is presently being served. When 1 in 3 children are likely to develop diabetes, something needs to happen and if parents are willing to grow up and be an actual parent then someone needs to do it for them. Why should their child be punished for the parents lack of heart? Why are people OK with their child being sick, having heart problems, not being able to focus in class/home? Do we feel so entitled to do as we please that we are willing to send our children as well as ourselves to an early grave? When people DECIDED to become a parent there seems to be an awful lot of them that forgot the basic rules of this wonderful job!!
Well this is better then that "just say No" B.S we were fed in the past. God Bless the Obamas
If she is talking about the "healthy" meals – fires, wings,fries, pizza, fries, burgers, fries – that they serve in the White House, I'm all for it. I have never found a restaurant that doesn't have a salad on the menu.
This article perfectly frames how far we have strayed away from the American ideal of "free market". We all know that some of these restaurants that we love are not healthy, that is something we have to sacrifice when we make the choice to go out. These restaurants have always offered healthier options like salads or something along those lines. But now, our federal government, as if they have nothing better to do, has to involve themselves in this, too. We all know that Americans eat unhealthy and many of them are obese, but the thing is....that is THEIR CHOICE! No Olive Garden is forcing their customers to take advantage of their endless salad and bread sticks. It just baffles me how our government manages to involve themselves in every aspect of our lives. Let people do what they want. If McDonalds wants to sell a kid a happy meal, let them do it, it should be the parent's choice, not Michelle Obama's. Maybe she should be concerned about all of the people who are going hungry each night due to the overwhelming rate of unemployment in our country because of how her husband is bankrupting and running this country into the ground. Hmm? She is too worried about all the obese people who are overweight by choice than the starving people who go hungry because of the poor economic status of our country. Let Olive Garden be, Michelle, come on now.
P.S. For the person who suggested that Michelle Obama was "overweight"....have you even seen her? Sure, she isn't the skinniest person in America but she certainly isn't overweight or by any means obese...wow.
Michelle Obama is 5'11" and 185 pounds. That gives her a BMI of 25.8, which is in the "overweight" category.
But thatnks for playing. We have some lovely parting gifts for you.
She is actually 175 lbs so that makes her BMI 24.5 and in the "Healthy" category.
@Snorlax
....And the BMI is considered accurate by who?
I know people are quick to jump into the "there goes the gov't again," but the gov't has to step in when people's "personal choice" has contributed to the "obesity epidemic" which has also contributed to healthcare costs from type 2 diabetes which can be avoided if people took better care of themselves. It's amazing how people only have an arm's length view of society but never consider society as a whole.
There are many overweight children in our country who are Type II diabetic. Obama is doing a good job.
The BMI is crap. A buddy of mine had 2% body fat, but his height & weight put him in the obese category.
Your buddy is probably a weight lifting body builder. But he is a dead one if he is at 2% body fat. Five percent is essential . Someone in really good shape can get down to five or six but 10% or less is really a good place to be. Either way, a there are more acurate ways to measure body fat, but for average people BMI works pretty well.
This is not a federal mandate – this is a special interest championed by the first lady just like every other first lady has championed something like Nancy Reagan and just say no. Plain and simple it is outrageos the amount of fat and salt that can definitely be cut back on restaurants for kids. My kid has a right to eat something other than salad when we go out for dinner and it is not going to kill them. There is no reason entrees should have an entire days worth of salt.
Absolutely, Susan. I have been thinking this all along, every first lady takes an initiative and good for Michelle to take an interest in other peoples' kids – it seems as though the parents are too busy watching Survivor to do it themselves.
When there is an obesity epidemic in this country caused not in small part by large portions of food and hidden calories, someone has to step in and do something.
The default for take-out food should not be fat and sodium laden junk, esp. when it comes to childen.
People should not just EXPECT that is what they are going to get when they go out to eat.
Mrs. Obama is doing a great thing here.
This Free Market baloney is getting a bit ridiculous.
"Free Market baloney" has high levels of fat & salt, too!
Most food is engineered in this country. There were no "super markets" seventy-five years ago. Engineers discovered by testing their products on mice that sugar from corn syrup, salt, and fat together will cause cravings and overeating. More food = more money to producers. All of us and our kids are just like those mice.
The only thing great she can do is leave the white house in 2012. Maybe sooner if we can impeach her crook husband.
There is no Federal meddling here. It's just the First Lady (a private citizen) encouraging healthier eating.
This is no more wrong than prior First Ladies encouraging literacy, drug avoidance, ....
There are no Federal agencies mandating fat content. There's no special tax break for healthier menus. Just a bit of "positive publicity".
Sorry she is going about this the wrong way. I could eat the most unhealthy, fattening thing they have at most restaurants and it would not affect me as I don't eat at them enough to matter as is the case with the majority. To make a real difference the approach should be to offer cooking classes, teach how to eat healthy on a budget, etc. These should be a requirement for anyone receiving food stamps and offered to anyone else interested. Many people eat out because they don't have a clue on how to cook.
Yeah, it's gonna get rowdy in here.....
Olive Garden? BWAHAHAHAHAHAAAA! Yeah right. Canned 'tuscan' meatloaf with wilted salad. Only for the bulimics.
All of you that are calling her fat – you are crazy. She isn't telling people how to eat, she is trying to help our society make a positive change. God forbid she work to do something positive and reduce the amount of saturated fat and salt in these restaurant meals. Your what is wrong with this country – calling a woman like this fat and calling her out for doing something good. Please continue to eat and feed your children too much salt, fat. And, while you are at it – I bet you are the same people that think gov't should stay out of your business, so please – stay off our roads, out of our libraries and state parks.
Why is the far left all about "choice" when it comes to the wholesale murder of babies, but not so much when it comes to choosing what we eat?
If it makes you feel any better, I don't care what you eat.
Probably for the same reason the right wants smaller government, but still thinks they're able to decide who can and can't get married.
Your comparing an obesity epidemic to women's reproductive rights?
That's a stretch.
*you're
you have a choice – this isnt a federal mandate you idiot, she is just trying to do some good. We really shouldnt be eating that much salt in a day. Just like the Just Say No campaign it is a first lady championing something for positive change – god forbid she ask you to exercise with your kids, or try to make a positive change where there really needs to be. I think you should have a choice for anything you want to do, but it is good to give some healthy choices.
They will complain no matter what. Cancer could be cured by the Obamas and they would scream socialism or some nonsense.
May I make a suggestion to Mrs. Obama? Tell your husband to bring back one full period of PE..(That is Physical Education class ) into our schools. John F. Kennedy did it,followed by LBJ. I am talking about calisthenics,running,dodgeball,anything to get these kids off their fat ass and exercise. Then,you can talk about health food. Walking around a school playground during recess is NOT the answer. Just my humble opinion.
Hear, hear!
I concur!
Somewhere at about the same time that parents started encasing their kids in bubble wrap is when the obesity edidemic happened. News flash: Kids will fall down, they will fall off of bikes, they will have cuts and scrapes. This is NOT adequate reason to imprison them in the living room with an Xbox.
What school are your kids in? All of our schools have mandatory PE. I thought it was required??
Not required everywhere. Count your blessings.
@ What a jerk
It's not required at all schools due to lack of funding. When public schools lose funding PE is one of the first classes to go. Think of that next time a politician talks about "slashing" the public education budget.
Yes! That is definitely something constructive as opposed to what she is trying to do. I know that at my high school, I had to take on year of gym as a freshmen and then I was done. I never took another one for the rest of my three years...
and unfortunately, that would be considered socialism by many, I bet. He coulnd't do it – the states would have to, they pay for phys ed teachers and they are all cutting them. If it were a federal mandate he would have to come up with the $$ and that would mean taxes and of course no one wants to pay for that ( :
Oh, for crying out loud.....save it, Michelle......we're all sick to death of hearing you preach to us about eating healthier and then watching you and Barry stuff your empty heads with double-cheeseburgers and lobster on our dime. Losers.
They aren't "stuffing" their faces. When you eat, food goes in your mouth...same for Democrat as for Republican. The Obamas are very healthy, and while Michelle isn't a little woman, she is very muscular and fit. Promoting good nutrition is something that our country needs. 1/3 of all of the children today will get diabetes. This generation isn't going to live as long as their parents. Only political blind hate would make someone knock the First Lady for promoting common sense.
Lobster's actually quite healthy.
Stop complaining! You are obviously misinformed. The POTUS and First Lady pay for their own vacations and the food they enjoy on it. This is a really good thing with Olive Garden. Its a trendsetter that will eventually catch on and make American healthier. Three cheers for you, Michelle!
Somethings so simple make people mad or hate, First Lady Michelle Obama . Most of all restaurant has change how they cook food. WOW!!! Keepe up the good work....... First Lady Michelle Obama
All I can say is she's trying to help children not turn into unhealthy overweight Adults. You dont have to take her advise, its your choice. She's about a good cause. Look at a lot of kids, many are over-weight. When that child of yours grows up with health issues and all you did was mock Mrs. Obama and not appreciate what she's trying to do...its your health concerns you'll have to deal with. Making a mockery out of an idea that can only help will cost people who are ignorant in the long run. Such insecure people in this world. May I also say sooooo envious too...is most of it. SAD.
Thank God I'm not American! The posts on here proves that America is still filled with bigotry and hatred, it's one of the problems as to why you continue to have poor relations with the rest of the world. No one cares for you (except for Isreal) because True White America cares for no one else except itself. Ammerica's time has come and is now gone as an economic power, move over and make some way for China, and, in due time, Brazil and India. Keep hating each other America and say goodbye to everyone else....but you still have your military might!
Please know that not all americans are racists and filled with hate – just the republicans and tea party.
Maybe you should check out the hate displayed by the left on a Sarah Palin article.
Actually Dean to be fair, the posts left for Sarah Palin were not racist for the most part, just mysoginist. But that's ok, the far left moonbat libtards are perfectly fine with mysoginy when it's someone they don't like. Kind of like how they view racism as perfectly acceptable as long as it's against white people.
brandonj: Weird post, man, and off topic. But most like yours seem to fly in from right field.
Steve, I'm so sorry that you didn't like my post-too bad. As for off topic, it most certainly was not. It was in reply to Dean and his post calling the nuts from "left field" racists. I was simply adding clarification. So sorry if you didn't like the fact that I dared question libtards and their hypocrisy of screaming racism when there is none while simultaneously being racist and misogynistic themselves. Sometimes the truth hurts.
Hey Micheal,
I am not a racist but I do hate Liberals and for good measure I filled your Momma up with my hate last night and she loved it.
"True White America"? The only person racist on here is you. Your bias toward people you view as "white" is apparent. Just because someone doesn't worship Obama as the Messiah nor think that Michelle is so wonderful does not make them a racist. Grow up and stop posting anonymous rants accusing other people of racism just because you don't agree with them.
The fact that anyone can take a story like this and turn it into a slam on Michelle Obama shows the ignorance, hatred and in some cases racism prevalent in a large percentage of our society. You really just have to be blindly stupid or a complete jerk to react that way to a story like this.
I guess first ladies causes are fine as long as they promote abstaining from something...anything. I guess Mrs. Obama should preaching food abstinence. That would fit right in with the far right agenda of "let them all starve".
Just Say No- to fat and salt!
Personally, I'd prefer that the first lady not promote ANYTHING. We didn't elect her, why should she have an office, a staff and a budget at taxpayer expense? This is a problem that many have had for a long time, it didn't just start with Michelle Obama. If Michelle wants to be an advocate fine-just don't do it on the taxpayer's dime.
Um. You're complaining that someone is trying to rein in the obesity epidemic and using your "hard earned" tax dollars? Really? Are you really that cheap and mean?
I guess you like paying more on your health ins. premiums b/c of the people with Type II diabetes, etc.
Whatever, Michelle Obama isn't going to do anything to stop childhood obesity-she CAN'T. Simpletons like you seem to think that slick PR campaigns and deals with corporations (which undoubtedly will contribute to Obama's campaign in return for the publicity Michelle's endorsement brings) will actually accomplish something. Anyone with any critical thinking skills however will realize that Michelle's efforts will accomplish little to NOTHING. The only thing that will solve the childhood obesity problem in this country is PARENTING. Real parenting, where parents actually are involved in their children's lives. Controlling what they eat and drink, making sure that they go out and play, not letting them sit on their fat little butts all day playing video games, watching tv or viewing inappropriate websites online. Parents are the only ones who can solve this crisis. Personal responsibility and discipline is key. And guess how much good parenting costs the taxpayer? NOTHING. If you bring a child into this world, YOU are responsible for their proper upbringing, health and well being. Stop expecting the taxpayer to do it for you. And if you think Michelle's going to be able to do it through some advocacy (which is really an indirect way of giving her husband good PR for re-election) then you're too delusional to reason with.
Just another business to boycott. I am an adult and I can choose what I eat. I am a responsible parent! I don't need the government to tell me what to eat or feed my children.
Den, the government isn't FORCING you to feed your kids healthy food. They are just promoting the idea of eating better, and in this case, the companies see the benefit to offering healthier kid options. We have an obesity EPIDEMIC in our country. The current generation is the first that is expected to have shorter lives than their parents because of the health consequences of obesity.
Actually, this isn't even the government promoting healthy eating. It's a personal cause taken up by the First Lady - most First Ladies do things like that - and there is no force of law or other government compulsion involved.
Den, If that's what you got from this article, I'm guessing you were probably already predisposed to being against anything Michelle Obama says or does for some lame political reason (or another reason, but I really don't want to make that assumption). Nowhere in the article does it state that the government is telling you what to eat or feed your child. The First Lady is using her position to raise awareness to a certain cause, and it's a cause that many, many American parents need to become aware of. You're a responsible parent? Whoopee for you. Lots aren't. And like a lot of people who want the government out of their lives, I can imagine you'll be the one crying when your obese, diabetes-riddled child – or yourself – has to pay premium rates for health insurance because you didn't want the government suggesting you feed your kid a salad rather than a cheeseburger.
President Obama could find a cure for cancer, make the US's economy number 1 in the world, eliminate all taxes, make abortion illegal, and intern all the gays AND YOU WOULD STILL HATE HIM. Pathetic.
You must belong to the Tea Party b/c all I hear from your post is *whineeeeee*
If you're an adult, try acting like one.
Oh dear, wait till Bachmann gets a hold of this! She'll make some dizzy connection between the President and the Mafia via Italian food and claim the healthy food pyramid is just another Ponzi scheme. And, get this, millions of Teapublicans will believe her. Only in America. Only in America.
Hahahaha!
Anderson Cooper
It is a shame that everything in our country in regarding its people has to result in racial slurs. Well on that note I have a question for you...Do you know who owns and operates the Darden Restaurants, that happens to be the WORLD'S LARGEST full-service restaurant company and the parent organization behind popular chain eateries including Olive Garden, Red Lobster, LongHorn Steakhouse and Bahama Breeze. If you knew (Anderson Cooper) the answer it would probably make you feel worse. And I do mean worse. Things that make you say Hmmmm!!!!
Whatever happened to the partnership with Michelle Obama and Walmart and how they were going to make fruits and vegetables cheaper for people so that they would eat healthier? Haven't heard another thing about that. Is this going to go the same way!
Can you say flip-flop and photo-op?
Terry, if you actually looked for the facts you would find them. It is a 5 year plan for Wal Mart to renovate their food options. It won't happen overnight, but that wasn't their claim to begin with. Educate yourself before you complain next time.
If she really needs something to do, why don't she solve the apple juice arsenic problem.THAT SHOULD KEEP HER BUSY FOR AWHILE. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The apple juice problem? Non-existent. That was Dr. Oz trying to get more people to watch his show. Testing by the FDA (that uses more samples than whatever Oz was going by) shows there are only trace amounts of arsenic in apple juice, below the level that is calculated using something similar to the RfD, using the NOAEL or NOEL and taking into account things like frequency of exposure, uncertainty, as well as adding in a safety factor. The majority scientists, chemical engineers and environmental health professionals and medical experts that test and determine these levels all agree that Oz acted irresponsibly by providing misinformation to the public. He also failed to specify whether the arsenic was inorganic, or organic. (One is toxic, the other is not). And he only used one set of testing data, to my knowledge; one report. That’s bad science. The majority of testing assert that there is no cause for concern other than that irresponsible reporting by medical celebrities can cause a lot of unnecessary fear in the less scientifically informed public. Arsenic is a naturally occurring mineral, and can be found everywhere, in the air, in the dirt, in the water we drink; but in levels below what could affect human health. Oz could have done the same report on tomatoes if he wanted, but he chose apple juice to get parents in a frenzied panic. Most doctors, I guarantee you, are upset because now they have to reassure hysteric parents that it’s okay to let their kids drink apple juice. They’ll tell you to be more worried about the sugar content than the arsenic levels. Furthermore, that’s not Michelle Obama’s job to do.
And we don’t even have to be misled by people with medical degrees anymore. Just look at Bachmann and her radical and unsupported claims about the HPV vaccine. I don’t agree that Perry should have ordered that mandate, although schools have mandated vaccinations for decades with an opt out and no one’s complained about that, so I don’t see what all the hoopla is for other than that Perry’s decision about something personal for many people could very possibly have been influenced by financially driven motives. But what Michelle Bachmann has said is not only irresponsible, it’s dangerous. Some will listen to her and not get vaccinated or not have their daughters vaccinated, and those people would be at a greater risk of getting cervical cancer; a disease that has a five-year mortality rate of about 34 percent. She is potentially putting lives at risk, serving only to bolster her own political ends. Do not allow yourself to be easily swayed by the claims of public persona, particularly when their own motivations are not compatible with the topic they are reporting.
lol @ black people having freedom of speech
In light of the childhood obesity epidemic, I will be publishing my hate in the form of child-sized pamphlets, suitable to any child to read and be indoctrinated by.
Unbelievable how s bright story about our nation's first lady becomes a hate fest. This is where haters show their racism. Disgusting.
Olive Garden!? They don’t serve fried chicken or watermelon smoothies there!!!
No, but whatever they serve is better than the fried butter and pork fat you digest each day.
Rasict pig.
Olive Garden!? They don’t serve fired chicken or watermelon smoothies there!!!
Get educated and exposed.
While I understand that these meals are pricy, when I did get to splurge and the kids were younger, we all would have appreciated better options than a hamburger or a hot dog. Then again, my kids knew how to act in a restaurant...
This complete story is awaiting Moderation due to Political Favoritism shown by CNN.
You know, for a woman whose apparent sole purpose in life is to tell the rest of the world what and how to eat, she could really stand to lose a few pounds herself. Just sayin'
Are you kiddin'? She works out every day and is fit as a fiddle.
More like a tight string big ass bass fiddle.
I agree...she could definitely lose a few pounds. She's not exactly a role model in terms of healthy eating. it's yet another example of the "do as I say and not as I do" common to all politicians, regardless of party.
There are some real hatin' mofos out here.
Adios,MOFO.
Haters? Hmm...I just don't think a fat person should be telling other overweight people how to eat.
Your hateful statements aren't supported by the facts. She isn't skinny, but she is muscular. She is hardly overweight. Being healthy doesn't necessarily mean being tiny and scrawny. You would probably call Serena Williams fat too.
Rick Perry goes down on corn dogs. The best!
http://www.dallasvoice.com/pic-day-gov-rick-perry-deep-throats-corndog-iowa-state-fair-1086254.html
Michelle Bachman goes deeper–check out the Cnn picture. :))
LMAO! Looks like Michelle Bachman can deep throat two! The best!
The first lady's intention is NOT to tell America how to eat. She is simply saying that there should be healthier options available for those of use who want them....and for goodness sakes please stop making judgmental comments about the first lady. She is avocating for obese CHILDREN not obese ADULTS!!....and I agree with Truth..the only this I can say is WOW!!!
Hater! She looks HEALTHY!!!! She is a REAL WOMAN! NOT A SKELETON! GO FIRST LADY OBAMA!
Gonnna phase in these healthier things over the next "5 to 10 years"?! Why so long?! Guess it'll be another 5 to 10 years before I eat there!
Bobby G. re your wanting delicious meats and decadent sauces I know what you mean. But in reality the sodium and fat content could be reduced from most restaurant meals and your taste buds would never know the difference but every cell in your body would thank you!
Why so long? Because in 5 to 10 years nobody will remember and they won't have to live up to their promise. That way they can look good now without having to deliver later on. Win/win.
I really hope that is not the case.
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It has been giving people who have a hard time losing weight a normal body weight fast
It is now used in 10 countries. ALL weight issues are caused by Food chemicals( PROCESSED FOODS) and he shows how to reverse it
if you are Diabetic or not
just google SPIRITHAPPY.ORG
The majority of these kids parents CANNOT afford these upscale fast food places. Let's get real Michelle.
You should get real if you think only kids in poverty are obese. I see plenty of middle-class fat ass kids getting on school buses every morning. Moron.
True. LOL
Wow...just wow.
Can we PLEASE not politicize food stories?
Really!? Who goes – out – for a "Healthy Meal?" I paying big bucks I want delicious meats and decadent sauces. When I want healthy I eat at home.
Shouldn't you be busy watching Fox and Friends?
I agree with you for the most part, but sometimes I have to travel for work, and am forced to eat out all week. On my last trip, I was in an area with VERY limited restaurant choices, and had to look hard to find any vegetable other than cole slaw. When I got home, all I wanted was a good salad with tomatoes from my garden!
Yes. I remember being at the airport in Denver once and the only healthy thing I could find was some fresh fruit. Everything else was burgers, fries, and the like.
PS – one thing that helped that week was that I found a grocery store and bought some raw green beans for a snack!
Definitely, keep the decadent dishes on the menu, but a little variety would be appreciated.
Exactly right. It is all about choices here.