As I said sweetheart I have no problem with being informed, learning is why we are here after all, but when did the world start needing to be told how to eat properly? If most folk truly can’t look at a take away and see that it’s “junk food” that shouldn’t be used as a regular meal choice, then we do indeed have a major problem. I honestly believe though that for the vast majority of people, this simply is not the case. We are living in stressful times. Financial pressures mean that most couples BOTH have to work, and kids are eating takeaways far too often, not because Mum thinks they should but because the need is there. Even school dinners have chips on the menu most days. The world has changed is all. There simply are not enough hours in the day to do everything we all have to manage to pack into them.
I was raised in the 70’s when most kids had a Mother at home full time, and would have a packed lunch or school dinners (which actually were healthy then) and in the evening would go home to a proper sit down healthy family dinner, cooked by Mum. Back in my school days (like most girls of my age) I studied Home Economics in secondary school, which involved the study of…. well home making, which included providing a healthy diet for our future familes. This was part of our regular school curriculum, not a choice we could pick from an options list at the start of 3rd year, if we wanted to. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if this was re-instated into our schools? If this knowledge was placed into every child’s head from the age of 12 as it was with my peer group at school.
I work in a large retail outlet and see so many large weekly family shops go through my checkout which consist of 25 – 30 (sometimes more) ready made microwave meals, because they are quick, you can fill the freezer with them and they are convenient. They also mostly contain too much salt, too much sugar, far too many additives and do not even come close to providing a healthy diet. As I said in my original reply, there is certainly a place for education relating to the basics of a healthy diet, such as how to include all of the basic food groups, information relating to portion control etc, but nobody likes to be lectured, and will be far less likely to take any notice of someone who comes across as trying to force changes on them. It comes down to good, easily accessible information being provided, and hoping that, over time, it will filter through and kids will start to make these choices themselves.
As I said, I have no problem listening to someone trying to inform but Mr Oliver and his ilk do not do that they talk down to, lecture, sigh at the ignorance of folk and it drives me crazy. Nobody likes to listen to a “know it all”. I don’t doubt that he means well in his wee heart, I’m sure he does but he rubs folk up the wrong way. Does anyone remember the news items on the BBC of Mums handing chip shop take aways through the school railings to kids? It needs to start with the children. Educate them to make good choices and the future is won already.
hugs xx
ps: @mmap “kids should not even have a choice?” really? is that what you truly believe? Children shouldn’t be forced to do anything, and will actually enjoy good healthy food if encouraged from a young enough age, and please re-read my original reply. I said I would welcome being informed, just not LECTURED TO. Also, re your other comment, I would never ignore a doctor’s advice but comparing Jamie Oliver to a Dr? good grief. He’s a cook, no doubt a talented one but so was my Grandma, and she never talked down to anyone and I could (and did) learn so much more from her. <hugs> xx
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