Pizza for Breakfast, Anyone?

   By drodriguez  Mar 26, 2010
22

Sometimes it’s the only thing on the menu for elementary school kids in Huntington, West Virginia, where more than 1 in 3 children are obese. The kids don’t seem to mind--and the ladies serving up the processed pizza think it’s a satisfactory slice of nutrition--but renowned chef Jamie Oliver is determined to change their thinking---and their menu.

 

 

A French Fry is Not a Vegetable

In his new ABC series “Jamie Oliver: Food Revolution,” the plucky British chef takes on the eating habits of the small town of Huntington, rated the unhealthiest city in America. The series, which premiers March 26th, offers a sobering glimpse into the nutritional know-how of Huntington’s children: when Oliver holds up a tomato to a classroom of 2nd graders, they have no idea what it is. All they really know about food comes in the form of nuggets and patties, bagged snacks and flavored, sugared milk. This is hardly surprising when we learn that the school cooks consider a French fry a vegetable.

Beyond Obesity

Did you know that the shocking result of poor nutrition in some parts of USA is a generation of children projected to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents?

If Huntington, West Virginia is even slightly indicative of what’s going on around the rest of the country, Jamie Oliver certainly has his work cut out for him. But he’s up for the challenge: Oliver has already “revolutionized” school nutrition in his native Britain, successfully moving junk-filled vending machines out and bringing fresh, natural foods in. He believes good nutrition can be affordable to everyone in this country and he wants to make an example out of the fast-food loving people of Huntington. He’s up against a prickly population who don’t like his ideas or the taste of his food. Yet. It will be interesting to see if and how his food and dance theatrics, along with his impassioned pleas, impact this community.

Don’t All Kids Hate Vegetables?

Moms have always had to cajole their kids to eat their greens. It’s an age-old struggle. But as processed foods dominate supermarket aisles, with their low-prices and high flavor (thanks to lots of sodium and sugar), has the challenge to feed our children healthy food taken on a new dimension? Raising our kids to eat well is no longer just a dinner-table battle over carrots and peas. It’s about instilling values in our children about food and nutrition in a world filled with a lot of empty calories.  What’s your take?

Make a Comment

 
SHARE
Comments
jh0816 by jh0816 | DULUTH, GA
Jun 12, 2010

A breakfast pizza is a good idea, putting breakfast things on it. I am going to try to make one!

mommaduck by mommaduck | SAINT CHARLES, MO
May 20, 2010

well i have to admit to this day i eat pizza for breakfast but i am grown. now would i give my kids pizza for breakfast NO, not at all. i try to give my kids good food. there is the occasional junk food when we are on the go but at home i do my best to prepare meals i know they love that are healthy and i make them eat/try/taste their veggies

josmommy by josmommy | toledo, OH
May 09, 2010

how appaling to teach kids pizza for breakfast is acceptable.we need to encourage better eating so they dont end up unhealthy and sick.

MyEmptyCanvas by MyEmptyCanvas | KOSCIUSKO, MS
Apr 20, 2010

I remember having breakfast pizzas when I was in elementary school. It was just sausage and cheese on a toasted bagel. Sooooo good. LOL but yeah that was then and this is now... things have gotta change for the kids. They are our future.

zionita by zionita | NAPLES, FL
Apr 18, 2010

I think that Jaime Oliver is right .... we need to make a change...every change even a small one at every meal will make a difference on our health, energy level, and attitude. Eating healthy does not have to be just lettuce and carrots. Eating healthy does not have to behard or complicated. Eating healthy does need to be colorful and tasty!

powerfulwomen by powerfulwomen | GREENSBORO, NC
Apr 15, 2010

pizza for my family is a big treat especially for my kids, my hubby and i at least try to buy 2 large pizzas a month. i'm a full time homemaker so i have all the time in the world to cook and serve my family healthy home cook meals.

mindfull by mindfull | Marion, IN
Apr 13, 2010

Veggies are easy to put in a well balanced diet, just cut up small and put them into things such as meat loaf , Meat filling for tacos and Sloppy Joes, Just keep it simple, and don`t stress out your kids at meal time and they may be more willing to try things

cybrown551 by cybrown551 | HOOKSETT, NH
Apr 12, 2010

It's not easy getting vegetables to appeal to children. Good luck to him if he could do that. I love to know the recipes.

jlindseyc by jlindseyc | LEXINGTON, KY
Apr 12, 2010

i was amazed by this show that the children did not know what even the most basic veggies were by sight! i have noticed that the idea of making your own baby food from fresh fruits and veggies has really seemed to be catching on...great idea!

BlondieKAA by BlondieKAA | CRIVITZ, WI
Apr 08, 2010

I think if you start children young on eating vegetables and healthy snacks, that they can carry that with them as they grow older. I made all of my own baby food for my son, and now he loves eating fruits and veggies for a snack. It can be a lot of work, planning and preparation to eat healthy, but it is worth it.

basilandcatnip by basilandcatnip | GARLAND, TX
Apr 07, 2010

I'm still watching the show. It's great! I've seen Dr Oz has jumped on the band wagon and a school in the Dallas ISD has too. It's gaining momentum.

Gwenlane74 by Gwenlane74 | wakeman, OH
Apr 06, 2010

I have to admit in college I ate pizza for breakfast as I was running out the door...but My children always eat a good healthy breakfast, pizza isnt that great of a dinner..

basilandcatnip by basilandcatnip | GARLAND, TX
Mar 31, 2010

I emailed and called people to see this show. I even sent a thank you to my parents, and a few relatives that spent time with me as a kid in their gardens, taught me to eat right, and even helped me have a small vegetable stand. I was also a volunteer at a low income clinic, included was a food pantry, it was very upsetting for me to see that the food bank was based on calories per day (not nutrition, like so many of the patients needed for their medical conditions). I was happy the teacher on the show took the time to include a veggie lesson, I loved seeing the principals face light up teaching the kids the basics of using a fork and knife. It was so sad to see what Jamie had to push to get people to see, but I'm glad he did, it was a WIN WIN! I love the concept of the town having a free place to go to learn how to cook good foods.

veggiebear by veggiebear | COLCHESTER, VT
Mar 31, 2010

If Dora the Explorer was endorsing tomatos, the kids would have known what they were. Schools carry the unhealthy junk endorsed by companies who can easily manipulate children. I think we have to regain control and expect children to respect our decisions. When I was a kid, I REFUSED to eat my veggies(Squash, cauliflower, peas and brussel sprouts were the usual culprits.) I was not allowed to get up from the table unless I ate them. I protested and thought my parents were the meanest parents in the world. Their method of teaching me to eat my veggies worked. I felt embarrassed and left out of my family circle because I wasn't doing the same things they were. Make eating veggies and fruit a PRIORITY, a NECESSARY evil (if you will), and don't let your kids guilt u into making them Tony's pizza. Stand your ground. My parents did and now I eat squash, cauliflower and peas.. but I still won't touch brussel sprouts

blspeer94 by blspeer94 | Boonville, NC
Mar 30, 2010

My kids like their share of junk food, but for the most part I have to say they have good eating habits and like to exercise. At least one child does. Fruits and veggies are a big part of our diet and meal planning.