Tag Archives: healthy food

Disney’s Habit Heroes: Evil or Evil Genius?

Posted on March 4, 2012 by
Habit Heroes "Cereal Killer"

Mary Poppins, Disney’s most revered children’s expert, once sang, “A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down,” encouraging parents everywhere to mask bad taste in sugary sweetness in the best interests of their children’s health.    “Living” back in 1910, the year in which the film was set, Mary Poppins could not yet have known that sugar would become viewed as a generally toxic substance, particularly for the 17% of U.S. children who are now considered clinically obese.   For more on this particular topic (sugar, not Mary Poppins), check out my recent post, entitled Sugar, Sugar.

In fact, sugar and other unhealthful, fat-laden empty calorie foods have become key to the successful business model of the Walt Disney Corporation. For instance, according to Disney Corporation’s own website more than 75 million Coca Colas are consumed each year at Walt Disney World Resort, washing down 10 million hamburgers, 6 million hot dogs, 9 million pounds of French fries and more than 300,000 pounds of popcorn.  The so-called “happiest place on earth,” favorite vacation spot of adults and kids alike, has done more to encourage bad eating habits than virtually any other … (read the rest)

Posted in Consumer Engagement, Health and Wellness, Healthy Eating, Preventive Health, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Are You Still Working On That?

Posted on February 3, 2012 by
A color and taste not found in nature

This week humorist Andy Borowitz sent out a Tweet on Twitter (I still feel like an idiot when I say Tweet with a straight face) which said, “Waiters say “Are you still working on that?” because Americans treat eating like a career.”  As with all things Andy Borowitz, it was meant to be be funny but with the hard ring of truth. By the way, if you want to laugh until you snort your Starbucks order out through your nose, follow Borowitz’ coverage of the US Presidential campaign, which you can get HERE. You’re welcome.

But back to the point at hand.  Americans spend more time thinking and talking about their next meal than do the Ethiopians, and that’s saying something. God knows what percent of TV commercials are for junk food, but it’s a healthy number (or unhealthy one as the case may be).  I haven’t seen the 2012 Super Bowl yet, but I’m going to wager that at least 1/3 of the high priced ads are going to be for things that you really want to eat or drink but really but shouldn’t. The other 2/3 of … (read the rest)

Posted in Consumer Engagement, Health and Wellness, Healthcare Policy, Healthy Eating, Preventive Health, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment