Now He's An Olympic Postal Carrier?
There's some silly brouhaha about Michael Phelps endorsing Frosted Flakes and Corn Flakes instead of, say, Wheaties or having his picture put on the wrapper of one of those little inedible hockey pucks made of bran and, I guess, pulverized fiberboard. From the New York Daily News, Rich Shapiro writes:
Olympic legend Michael Phelps will appear on boxes of the Kellogg's brand sugar cereal, drawing sharp criticism from health experts worried about the message he'll be sending to children across America."I would not consider Frosted Flakes the food of an Olympian," said nutritionist Rebecca Solomon of Mount Sinai Medical Center.
"I would rather see him promoting Fiber One. I would rather see him promoting oatmeal. I would even rather see him promoting Cheerios."
The announcement yesterday that Phelps, 23, winner of a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics, would grace Frosted Flakes and Corn Flakes boxes instead of the traditional athlete's choice of Wheaties left many perplexed.
Frosted Flakes has three times the amount of sugar as Wheaties and 1/3rd the fiber.
This doesn't matter much to a virtuoso swimmer who consumes 12,000 calories a day.
Still, in a country where childhood obesity is an alarming issue, Phelps' iconic image sharing space with Tony the Tiger sends the wrong message, experts say.
No, parents allowing their kids to have whatever they want sends the wrong message. It was Phelps' job to win at the Olympics, which he did, not to deliver messages to people's children.
I mean, come on: Do children across America have cars, driver's licenses, credit cards, and wallets filled with grocery money? Do they drive to the grocery store and do the shopping?
Amazing concept here, parents should parent. This involves telling children what they can and cannot eat. When your child asks you to buy Frosted Flakes (or, rather, tells you to buy Frosted Flakes, depending on how far gone you are in the parent-as-feudal-serf to the children thing), simple answer: "No."
As opposed to: "Anything you say, master Cody!"
The thing I think is particularly hysterical about that is that Frosted Flakes are rather tame relative to Phelps's diet.
"Don't you want to grow up big and strong like Michael Phelps? Then put down those Frosted Flakes. You should be eating three sandwiches the size of your head instead!"
Jadagul at August 21, 2008 2:31 AM
I had a Nutrition class last year and we had to record everything that we consumed in the course of two weeks to analyze our nutritional intake and find our deficiencies. This was a pain in the ass, but well worth it. I consume about 3500 calories a day and was short on potassium (what can I say, I hate bananas). The program failed to take into account high levels of energy consumption (I'm a 5k-a-day runner) and it recommended someone my size (5'4") and age (36) should cut back to half that amount. I passed out on the third day of my ill-guided curiosity, but it provided a good talking point for the class.
Lance Armstrong's diet is around the internet somewhere, but I recall seeing where he plowed through Snickers on his rides like there's no tomorrow.
Juliana at August 21, 2008 5:13 AM
Looks like I've got some new people to add to this list
brian at August 21, 2008 5:16 AM
Frosted Flakes have been around since 1952 - probably longer than most of these so-called obesity experts. Kids didn't suddenly get obese in 1953, '54 or '55. They're getting obese today not just because almost all of us are eating larger portions, but because they don't play outside and/or in an unstructured way nearly as much. We deride the parents who have little Buffy and Biff hyper-scheduled for swimming in the morning, soccer in the afternoon and yoga at night, but health-wise, the real issue is the millions of kids who don't have anyone pushing them to move around. Parents may feel safer with their kids indoors, but it has long-term consequences for the kids' health.
What Phelps eats is almost irrelevant, because he burns off SO many calories per day. Traditionally, kids burned off tons of calories just through normal existence, too. If just a few kids head off to their YMCA's pools with stars in their eyes because of Phelps, he'll have done more to fight childhood obesity than any of the so-called obesity experts out there.
marion at August 21, 2008 5:18 AM
And, God forbid, he should admit he eats a lot. Of course, he eats a lot. He needs a lot of fuel if he's gonna burn the kind of energy it takes to get all those gold medals.
Look, I've never bought into the whole sports hero jazz. Sports just aren't my thing and I'm not overly impressed with accomplishments in them. (I can get how those who are into sports like I am into reading admire athletes the way I do writers.)
But, geeze, crucify a guy for going for the gold that he's earned the right to, namely the endorsement that pays him the most. And act like he should claim not to eat a lot when he needs a lot for what he does.
Gimme a break. Absolutely right, Amy. This is just more lazy parenting. Like it's so hard to say to your kid when they say but Michael Phelps eats Frosted Flakes, yeah, but he swims for hours a day and needs that energy.
T's Grammy at August 21, 2008 5:21 AM
Daughter #1 is in band this year, and the amount of marching and practicing they do is incredibly intense, so I told her, eat what you want, but NO Taco Hut (there's a combination Taco Bell and Pizza Hut down the street from the high school)! I don't want her eating that crap. She's a twig anyway, but she's been packing and bringing fruit and water for herself and her friend to bring to band camp this week and next, before school starts. If what band camp is like is any indication of what the season is going to be like, well, they'll all be eating as much as Phelps just to stay on their feet! Hauling all those instruments around, as well as marching all the live long day, is most assuredly going to take its toll on them. (And you know what they say, madness takes its toll. Please have exact change. o_O)
Flynne at August 21, 2008 5:52 AM
I heard about this on the news last night and could do nothing but roll my eyes in disgust. If I am ever such a huge loser in life that I have nothing to do but become a food nazi, every one of you has permission to shoot me.
If you do nothing active, then you are stuck with a diet of celery if you don't want to turn into a hippo. But that stinks, because food is fun! Especially the naughty stuff. So here's a thought - find an activity you enjoy. Then you not only get to enjoy the food you like, you also get to enjoy the activity as well. In my view, spending the day riding my bike (which burns about 500 calories an hour) and eating is the path to true happiness. Those food nannies need to be locked up in a room somewhere.
Pirate Jo at August 21, 2008 6:00 AM
Still, in the late 80's, I finally realized the true significance of being hypoglycemic, and stopped eating all refined sugar. I did not lecture a member of my family, nor care, since they are not hypoglycemic.
Yet, slowly as time passed, the amount of sugar consumed at my house dropped dramatically, due probably to the fact my actions caused them to re-evaluate what they ate.
Here in Mexico, about three years ago, I was heavy, and probably pre-diabetic. My daughter loaned me a copy of Atkin's, and I started on it. I am highly metabolic resistant, to use his term, but over a year or two, I went down nearly 30 pounds.
Even the locals say I look great, don't look 66. A mutual friend asked me one day if I wanted a gorgeous 20 year old woman as a mistress, which is how such things are arranged here. I pretended I did not understand her Spanish. So, I cried myself to sleep for a week, but I did "go and do the right thing."
Yesterday, my b.p. was 112/68, though at times it is lower than that.
People know about my diet, because I decline to eat what they eat, so they ask about it. A cousin, 48 years old, had a bit of stomach on her. She drank liters of sugar laden pop every day. One day, last year, after two years of seeing my health improve, I saw her daughter stirring a powdered, aspartame drink. She did lose 4 pounds, and that stomach is nearly gone.
My wife lost 20 pounds after I started my diet, and she looks pretty darned good for 66. She weighs around 102 pounds, now.
Mexico is the second fattest country in the world, and gaining on the US. Twenty five years ago, the women in this small rural village were slim and trim. Now, it's The Baby Elephant Waltz. They have gone to a high sugar, high carb diet, just like the US.
My son is in med school, and he said he has seen research which finally admits the ideal diet is not high carb/low fat as the AMA has told us for forty years, but high fat/low carb.
Two years ago, visiting my son in VA, he told me I looked a lot better then people years younger than me. I assumed he wanted money. He said, "No, let's go to go Wal-mart."
We sat there for a long time, watching people clearly years younger than I am, limping to the store; using walkers; crutches; wheel chairs. He was not b.s.ing me. I asked him, "Quick, tell me the shortest route to the border!!"
I don't care what you eat, nor how fat you are. You should care but I don't. Eat yourself to death. Spend the last twenty years of your life parking in the handicapped spaces. And, taking diabetes medicine while you go blind, or need amputations. Learn how to operate electric wheel chairs. As I said, I don't care, but you should.
I will say the food police actually don't know what they are talking about in most cases. We are all different, and what works for one may not work for another.
irlandes at August 21, 2008 7:35 AM
My daughter & I have our most heated arguments in the cereal aisle-it's the one really bad thing she wants the most. If I wanted my life to be easier, I could just give up & buy it for her. Instead, she's learned to read labels & pick something we can compromise on. Yes, parenting takes energy if you want to do it right...but it may be less energy than starting a campaign to control what everyone does & what sponsorships athletes choose to take.
DDub at August 21, 2008 7:40 AM
You want to win the cereal battle? Do this.
First, get yourself a 2 quart pyrex measuring cup. You'll understand later.
Get the Quaker old-fashioned (NOT the instant) oats. Also get an assortment of dried fruit. Apples, cherries, cranberries all work well. And Cinnamon. The Saigon kind (which is actual cinnamon, and not the imposter). Oh, and raw sugar, not the processed kind that has no flavor.
Oats and water (according to the package) in the cup. maybe a tablespoon of sugar (yeah, I know, 10-15g of sugar, bear with me) in the cup. A handful of dried fruit, in the cup. Cover with wax paper (don't use cling wrap, it'll make you cry). Cinnamon, other spices as necessary, and a dash of salt.
nuke for 5.5 minutes on high, serve, enjoy.
Oh, and tell the Cap'n not to let the door hit him where the good Lord split him.
brian at August 21, 2008 7:52 AM
and watch it cook. Around 3-4 minutes, you'll understand why you need so much bowl to cook so little breakfast.
brian at August 21, 2008 7:53 AM
Or, how about, buy him the frosted flakes. Then take him swimming. Wheaties taste icky. I wouldn't eat them. Kids wouldn't be fat if they moved more. Mine eat lucky charms, and are slim and trim.
momof3 at August 21, 2008 10:22 AM
yeah, when I was doing stadium runs back in college (up all the ramps. several times) it wasn't "Ooo, less risk of a heart attack in 40 years" that kept me going. It was the hot fudge brownie sundae I was going to have after. I love to eat. Therefor, I must be active. I do have good thin genes to thank too though.
momof3 at August 21, 2008 10:29 AM
sounds pretty tasty Brian, I'll try it, thanks! I suppose my daughter could eat any cereal she likes since she has dance class 6 days a week. I just prefer that our food isn't a color that matches any outfit Boy George sported in the 80's
DDub at August 21, 2008 11:10 AM
BLASPHEMY!
If I could consume the amount of milk on a regular basis that Wheaties require, I'd have them in my house. But I can't.
Although I'm unlikely to switch to Vonnegut's idea of "Breakfast of Champions".
brian at August 21, 2008 11:58 AM
My daughters love oatmeal and wheaties. LoL
they are 11 and 7. They love oatnut bread. We don't do diet(not into empty calories). We don't buy soda or white bread. They never complain about food. They will pretty much eat anything.
Melody at August 21, 2008 2:43 PM
"Looks like I've got some new people to add to this list" (Brian)
Heh. Makes me want to get her address and send her 10 or 20 CASES of Girl Scout Cookies! I would, of course, divide the order between my two girl scouts, to raise the prize they each get. Sanctimonious bitch!
Sandy at August 21, 2008 3:25 PM
"Wheaties taste icky" (momof3)
They're ok if you smother them in sugar! :D
Sandy at August 21, 2008 3:26 PM
Would you believe I get a hit on her name at least once a month? She must really be shooting her mouth off all over the place to attract that much Google.
brian at August 21, 2008 3:35 PM
Wow that list of yours Brian. Yea, Sandy .. send her some cookies!!! What happened to personal RESPONSIBILITY? My god. I don't want the government or anyone telling me what I cannot eat. I don't want them telling me how to live my damn life. I am raising my kids with the knowledge to make good decisions about all areas of their lives. I raise them also with a sense of personal responsibility. That they are totally responsible for their own lives and choices. Consequences.. you know? Seems that has gone the way of the dino's. Self control is another thing I teach them. They control their own emotions and reactions to others. Not an easy lesson but I'll be damned if my kids will go around blaming everyone else for their own choices in life.
Melody at August 21, 2008 5:26 PM
I'm sure there were plenty of ads on TV for Frosted Flakes when I was growing up, but we weren't allowed to watch TV, so we didn't see them. As for what we wanted to eat, my mother wasn't interested in having children plan their own diets, as only an idiot would let the child do the parenting. We grew up eating some horrible whole grain gruel, and wearing sensible shoes, and doing all those other good-for-you things kids think their parents are mean for making them do. I so respect my LAPD detective friend who is my fashion equal, but has very strict rules about what her 7-year-old can wear to school. No skirts, skorts (ugh!), or flip-flops. Long pants and tennis shoes. Why? Because girls wearing flip-flops and skirts can't run and play like a little girl in long pants and tennis shoes.
Amy Alkon at August 21, 2008 6:00 PM
Marion, where you been?
Crid [cridcridatgmail] at August 22, 2008 1:25 AM
You've been missed!
Amy Alkon at August 22, 2008 2:06 AM
Aw, thanks! Various (pleasant) life developments have limited my computer time, so I've been checking but not commenting. But this post was dear to my heart because I grew up eating Frosted Flakes, and Apple Jacks, and Cocoa Puffs, and other various and sundry sugary cereals that would give the food police heart attacks. And today I'm skinny...and I still occasionally eat Frosted Flakes. But, as I did when I was little, I eat them in the context of a balanced diet that includes complex carbs, protein, veggies and fruit. The real issue isn't the Frosted Flakes - which aren't as high in calories as you would expect - but Frosted Flakes with Pop-Tarts on the side for breakfast, cheeseburgers for lunch, chicken nuggets for dinner and loads of TV and video games instead of physical activity. Most of which my parents strictly limited for us. Breakfast should actually probably be your highest-calorie meal of the day, as you have all day to burn the calories off. Tony the Tiger and Michael Phelps are not the real issues here.
marion at August 22, 2008 5:19 AM
The media had better back off on bashing my boy, Tony the Tiger. That was my nickname as I child, and Frosted Flakes are great.
That aside, is there any personal responsibility left in the world today? Our food supply is replete with steroid and antibiotic laced meat, overly refined starches with no nutrition, and a Tiger is the problem?
They argue over the fiber content of Frosted Flakes versus Wheaties?? Are they serious?
As someone who required emergency surgery after a colon "blow-out", I'm somewhat educated on the importance of fiber myself.
The specialist who performed my surgery told me that I needed 25-30Gs of fiber daily. She also said that Diverticulitous and other fiber-related medical problems exploded in the US after processed foods became more and more refined (1930's?).
If I put a bowl of vegetables on the table next to a bowl of potato chips, my daughter (eight years old) would choose the vegetables 9 times out of 10. When she wants a snack, she usually reaches for the fruit and vegee drawer.
She prefers fruit, vegetables and fiber one bars over candy, chips etc. Why? Those are the eating habits that were instilled in her by her "parents."
I couldn't care less if she sat down and ate 10 boxes of frosted flakes, she needs to put some weight on anyway. This, even though she "thinks she's fat."
How about the freakin Cereal Police concentrate on the ungodly amount of pressure our girls are forced to grow up in. How about these same idiots run commercials explaining how "true" beauty is defined, because looks, curves, and cup size aren't the correct answer.
I have for years been explaining to my daughter what true beauty is. When the air brushed and half-naked bimbo's flash across the TV screen, I laugh when my daughter says, "sluts."
Tony at August 22, 2008 7:15 AM
> I grew up eating Frosted Flakes,
> and Apple Jacks, and Cocoa Puffs
Childhood mornings were all about Captain Crunch and a 9:17am blood-level crash of the processed sugars during the first class of the school day. But my years with the Captain prepared me for times of more aggressive inebriation in the middle teens.
Crid [cridcridatgmail] at August 22, 2008 11:35 AM
I also went through a Cap'n Crunch phase; however, the Cap'n brings along partially hydrogenated vegetable oil/transfats/other things that I believe cause BOTH Gary Taubes and Dean Ornish to raise their shields and draw their swords. Not to be all food-police-y, but Cap'n Crunch is probably something I wouldn't buy for a kid...now, that having been said, I survived and thrived, so I'm somewhat hypocritical here.
Now I really want some grapes. Mmmm. Excuse me...
marion at August 22, 2008 10:25 PM
Me too. Crushed & fermented.
Crid [cridcridatgmail] at August 23, 2008 4:28 PM
But but but... Michael probably eats those sugary cereals and isn't it better to endorse products you actually USE? Apparently he takes in gajillions of calories because of his exterme training schedule.
MonicaM at August 25, 2008 11:39 AM
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