Jamie Oliver takes aim at 'fattest nation in the world'
Scratchin a Letter
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http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article1984456.ece
Jamie Oliver takes aim at 'fattest nation in the world'
By David Usborne in New York
Published: 15 November 2006
Jamie Oliver, the outspoken celebrity chef and scourge of every school cook in Britain, has taken his healthy-eating message to the United States. And true to form, he is not mincing his words when it comes to American children and their particular battle with obesity.
"A fat person in England isn't the same as a fat person in America," Oliver gamely asserted yesterday, taking time off from a packed schedule in New York promoting his two latest ventures - a book and a television series about cooking in Italy.
Apparently unconcerned with the sensibilities of his American hosts, Oliver ploughed forth suggesting that the US should follow the example of Britain, which, on his urging, has recently banned Turkey Twizzlers and other fatty delights from school cafeterias, replacing them with healthier options.
"England is the most unhealthy country in Europe and America is the most unhealthy country in the world," Oliver told a Reuters reporter. He nonetheless acknowledged that he did not expect to repeat his British campaign for healthier school food in America, noting that as an "English boy in America, they might not appreciate my honesty".
Not that Oliver is necessary wrong in his observations. The number of overweight Americans has tripled since 1980, according to new figures from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and the obesity rate among children and young people is expected to hit 20 per cent by the end of this decade.
If Oliver is afraid that Americans might take against him for his remarks, he doesn't show it. In recent days, he has been all over the television dial, putting the hosts of NBC's breakfast Today show through their culinary paces and making a guest appearance with Martha Stewart on her daily programme.
"Having a brilliant time in New York at the moment," he writes to fans in the latest instalment of a personal blog on his website. He also takes care to promote a couple of his favourite restaurants in Manhattan, including the British-themed Spotted Pig, the recent winner of a Michelin star.
But it is his own products that he is in town to sell. His book, Jamie's Italy, hit American bookshops earlier this month while the companion television show, Jamie Oliver's Great Italian Escape, will be broadcast to American audiences later this month.
New York, as it happens, has taken the lead among American cities to introduce legislation aimed at trimming the waistlines of its citizenry. A draft city ordinance championed by the city's Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, would ban artificial trans-fats from almost all restaurants. Partly in response, one national fast-food chain, KFC, recently announced plans to drop all trans-fats.
Oliver, 31, hailed the move by Mr Bloomberg, arguing that the setting of government guidelines remains the best way to tackle the problem and persuade the fast-food companies to change their manufacturing habits.
His campaign in Britain became a reality for school canteens - and for millions of less-than-delighted children - only when the Government backed it with legislation.
"The junk food companies have got more resources than the government and more money to spend on poxy lawyers so I completely admire and condone the Mayor for doing it," he commented, adding, however, that most American politicians are "subservient" to "junk food companies". His presence in New York coincides with the opening tomorrow of Gordon Ramsay's first venture in America, The London restaurant, on West 54th Street. The blunt-speaking Ramsay is already a fixture in America thanks to his reality show, Hell's Kitchen, on Fox television.
Jamie Oliver, the outspoken celebrity chef and scourge of every school cook in Britain, has taken his healthy-eating message to the United States. And true to form, he is not mincing his words when it comes to American children and their particular battle with obesity.
"A fat person in England isn't the same as a fat person in America," Oliver gamely asserted yesterday, taking time off from a packed schedule in New York promoting his two latest ventures - a book and a television series about cooking in Italy.
Apparently unconcerned with the sensibilities of his American hosts, Oliver ploughed forth suggesting that the US should follow the example of Britain, which, on his urging, has recently banned Turkey Twizzlers and other fatty delights from school cafeterias, replacing them with healthier options.
"England is the most unhealthy country in Europe and America is the most unhealthy country in the world," Oliver told a Reuters reporter. He nonetheless acknowledged that he did not expect to repeat his British campaign for healthier school food in America, noting that as an "English boy in America, they might not appreciate my honesty".
Not that Oliver is necessary wrong in his observations. The number of overweight Americans has tripled since 1980, according to new figures from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and the obesity rate among children and young people is expected to hit 20 per cent by the end of this decade.
If Oliver is afraid that Americans might take against him for his remarks, he doesn't show it. In recent days, he has been all over the television dial, putting the hosts of NBC's breakfast Today show through their culinary paces and making a guest appearance with Martha Stewart on her daily programme.
"Having a brilliant time in New York at the moment," he writes to fans in the latest instalment of a personal blog on his website. He also takes care to promote a couple of his favourite restaurants in Manhattan, including the British-themed Spotted Pig, the recent winner of a Michelin star.
But it is his own products that he is in town to sell. His book, Jamie's Italy, hit American bookshops earlier this month while the companion television show, Jamie Oliver's Great Italian Escape, will be broadcast to American audiences later this month.
New York, as it happens, has taken the lead among American cities to introduce legislation aimed at trimming the waistlines of its citizenry. A draft city ordinance championed by the city's Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, would ban artificial trans-fats from almost all restaurants. Partly in response, one national fast-food chain, KFC, recently announced plans to drop all trans-fats.
Oliver, 31, hailed the move by Mr Bloomberg, arguing that the setting of government guidelines remains the best way to tackle the problem and persuade the fast-food companies to change their manufacturing habits.
His campaign in Britain became a reality for school canteens - and for millions of less-than-delighted children - only when the Government backed it with legislation.
"The junk food companies have got more resources than the government and more money to spend on poxy lawyers so I completely admire and condone the Mayor for doing it," he commented, adding, however, that most American politicians are "subservient" to "junk food companies". His presence in New York coincides with the opening tomorrow of Gordon Ramsay's first venture in America, The London restaurant, on West 54th Street. The blunt-speaking Ramsay is already a fixture in America thanks to his reality show, Hell's Kitchen, on Fox television.
I think he's done well over here, and he's got the right idea.... but taking this hegemony to the states is a bit over-ambitious, don't you think?
Jamie Oliver takes aim at 'fattest nation in the world'
By David Usborne in New York
Published: 15 November 2006
Jamie Oliver, the outspoken celebrity chef and scourge of every school cook in Britain, has taken his healthy-eating message to the United States. And true to form, he is not mincing his words when it comes to American children and their particular battle with obesity.
"A fat person in England isn't the same as a fat person in America," Oliver gamely asserted yesterday, taking time off from a packed schedule in New York promoting his two latest ventures - a book and a television series about cooking in Italy.
Apparently unconcerned with the sensibilities of his American hosts, Oliver ploughed forth suggesting that the US should follow the example of Britain, which, on his urging, has recently banned Turkey Twizzlers and other fatty delights from school cafeterias, replacing them with healthier options.
"England is the most unhealthy country in Europe and America is the most unhealthy country in the world," Oliver told a Reuters reporter. He nonetheless acknowledged that he did not expect to repeat his British campaign for healthier school food in America, noting that as an "English boy in America, they might not appreciate my honesty".
Not that Oliver is necessary wrong in his observations. The number of overweight Americans has tripled since 1980, according to new figures from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and the obesity rate among children and young people is expected to hit 20 per cent by the end of this decade.
If Oliver is afraid that Americans might take against him for his remarks, he doesn't show it. In recent days, he has been all over the television dial, putting the hosts of NBC's breakfast Today show through their culinary paces and making a guest appearance with Martha Stewart on her daily programme.
"Having a brilliant time in New York at the moment," he writes to fans in the latest instalment of a personal blog on his website. He also takes care to promote a couple of his favourite restaurants in Manhattan, including the British-themed Spotted Pig, the recent winner of a Michelin star.
But it is his own products that he is in town to sell. His book, Jamie's Italy, hit American bookshops earlier this month while the companion television show, Jamie Oliver's Great Italian Escape, will be broadcast to American audiences later this month.
New York, as it happens, has taken the lead among American cities to introduce legislation aimed at trimming the waistlines of its citizenry. A draft city ordinance championed by the city's Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, would ban artificial trans-fats from almost all restaurants. Partly in response, one national fast-food chain, KFC, recently announced plans to drop all trans-fats.
Oliver, 31, hailed the move by Mr Bloomberg, arguing that the setting of government guidelines remains the best way to tackle the problem and persuade the fast-food companies to change their manufacturing habits.
His campaign in Britain became a reality for school canteens - and for millions of less-than-delighted children - only when the Government backed it with legislation.
"The junk food companies have got more resources than the government and more money to spend on poxy lawyers so I completely admire and condone the Mayor for doing it," he commented, adding, however, that most American politicians are "subservient" to "junk food companies". His presence in New York coincides with the opening tomorrow of Gordon Ramsay's first venture in America, The London restaurant, on West 54th Street. The blunt-speaking Ramsay is already a fixture in America thanks to his reality show, Hell's Kitchen, on Fox television.
Jamie Oliver, the outspoken celebrity chef and scourge of every school cook in Britain, has taken his healthy-eating message to the United States. And true to form, he is not mincing his words when it comes to American children and their particular battle with obesity.
"A fat person in England isn't the same as a fat person in America," Oliver gamely asserted yesterday, taking time off from a packed schedule in New York promoting his two latest ventures - a book and a television series about cooking in Italy.
Apparently unconcerned with the sensibilities of his American hosts, Oliver ploughed forth suggesting that the US should follow the example of Britain, which, on his urging, has recently banned Turkey Twizzlers and other fatty delights from school cafeterias, replacing them with healthier options.
"England is the most unhealthy country in Europe and America is the most unhealthy country in the world," Oliver told a Reuters reporter. He nonetheless acknowledged that he did not expect to repeat his British campaign for healthier school food in America, noting that as an "English boy in America, they might not appreciate my honesty".
Not that Oliver is necessary wrong in his observations. The number of overweight Americans has tripled since 1980, according to new figures from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and the obesity rate among children and young people is expected to hit 20 per cent by the end of this decade.
If Oliver is afraid that Americans might take against him for his remarks, he doesn't show it. In recent days, he has been all over the television dial, putting the hosts of NBC's breakfast Today show through their culinary paces and making a guest appearance with Martha Stewart on her daily programme.
"Having a brilliant time in New York at the moment," he writes to fans in the latest instalment of a personal blog on his website. He also takes care to promote a couple of his favourite restaurants in Manhattan, including the British-themed Spotted Pig, the recent winner of a Michelin star.
But it is his own products that he is in town to sell. His book, Jamie's Italy, hit American bookshops earlier this month while the companion television show, Jamie Oliver's Great Italian Escape, will be broadcast to American audiences later this month.
New York, as it happens, has taken the lead among American cities to introduce legislation aimed at trimming the waistlines of its citizenry. A draft city ordinance championed by the city's Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, would ban artificial trans-fats from almost all restaurants. Partly in response, one national fast-food chain, KFC, recently announced plans to drop all trans-fats.
Oliver, 31, hailed the move by Mr Bloomberg, arguing that the setting of government guidelines remains the best way to tackle the problem and persuade the fast-food companies to change their manufacturing habits.
His campaign in Britain became a reality for school canteens - and for millions of less-than-delighted children - only when the Government backed it with legislation.
"The junk food companies have got more resources than the government and more money to spend on poxy lawyers so I completely admire and condone the Mayor for doing it," he commented, adding, however, that most American politicians are "subservient" to "junk food companies". His presence in New York coincides with the opening tomorrow of Gordon Ramsay's first venture in America, The London restaurant, on West 54th Street. The blunt-speaking Ramsay is already a fixture in America thanks to his reality show, Hell's Kitchen, on Fox television.
I think he's done well over here, and he's got the right idea.... but taking this hegemony to the states is a bit over-ambitious, don't you think?
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments
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In America, at least in some places - Mississipi, Houston, Detroit - it seems to have become acceptable to be obese to the point of looking like a whale. It's been going on so long that it's become an accepted part of the culture - maybe some Americans on here will be better equipped to put me right on this. In my opinion, Jamie's gonna be pissing in the wind over there.0
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You're probaby right (byrnzie), but I sure do love to watch Jamie Oliver's shows - haven't in a while though.R.i.p. Rigoberto Alpizar.
R.i.p. My Dad - May 28, 2007
R.i.p. Black Tail (cat) - Sept. 20, 20080 -
JaneNY wrote:You're probaby right (byrnzie), but I sure do love to watch Jamie Oliver's shows - haven't in a while though.
I sure do love watching human whales waddling down the street, with Double Whopper fillings hanging out of their gobs. It makes me realise that all of the human struggles across the ages - both intellectual and spiritual - and the rise and fall of civilizations, were not made in vain.
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Byrnzie wrote:In America, at least in some places - Mississipi, Houston, Detroit - it seems to have become acceptable to be obese to the point of looking like a whale. It's been going on so long that it's become an accepted part of the culture - maybe some Americans on here will be better equipped to put me right on this. In my opinion, Jamie's gonna be pissing in the wind over there.
have you been to mississippi, houston, or detroit?0 -
jlew24asu wrote:have you been to mississippi, houston, or detroit?
I've been to Mississipi and Houston. But that's irrelevant. I mentioned those places because they have all at some point been given the accolade of 'fattest city' - i.e, highest number of obese people in the States. (Not that Mississipi is a town, but i saw it mentioned in that regard somewhere or other).0 -
More power to him, but I wonder if his message would work better if he first tackled the US chefs besides the fast food chains. Most of the famous chefs in the US live at unhealthy weights from the looks of it.There is no such thing as leftover pizza. There is now pizza and later pizza. - anonymous
The risk I took was calculated, but man, am I bad at math - The Mincing Mockingbird0 -
Byrnzie wrote:I've been to Mississipi and Houston. But that's irrelevant. I mentioned those places because they have all at some point been given the accolade of 'fattest city' - i.e, highest number of obese people in the States. (Not that Mississipi is a town, but i saw it mentioned in that regard somewhere or other).
obesity is a problem in the US, no question. Clinton is trying to get kids to eat healthier at schools. thats where this problem needs to be addressed. but I like the naked chef. kudos to him, I hope he makes a difference.0 -
There is such a sense of entitlement in the US that some English guy saying things isn't going to change much. We are an educated society and people know that obesity is unhealthy and can lead to other diseases / conditions. We are also a me centered society and if someone wants to be fat or obese and abuse their body in that way we in the US feel it's our God given right to do that. "my body is no body's body but mine, you've got your own body let me run mine"...sound familiar?? I think to deal with this obesity problem it's gonna take more than an English guy with a tv show and a restaurant to make a difference...but I give him props for trying.make sure the fortune that you seek...is the fortune that you need0
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O.k. You want a solution?
Walk more! :cool:
People don't walk in the States. Every fucker drives. You even have to drive to the bar to get drunk before driving home again. Everything is so far apart. I suggest knocking down the Midwest and transporting all the buildings to the East and West coasts and condensing the towns and cities there, so that everything becomes nearer and within walking distance. Give the land in between back to the Indians.
Discuss.... :cool:0 -
Byrnzie wrote:In America, at least in some places - Mississipi, Houston, Detroit - it seems to have become acceptable to be obese to the point of looking like a whale. It's been going on so long that it's become an accepted part of the culture - maybe some Americans on here will be better equipped to put me right on this. In my opinion, Jamie's gonna be pissing in the wind over there.
Wasn't he also pissing in the wind when he started the campaign in English schools? Even if he doesn't manage to change something, it might be entertaining.You can tell a man from what he has to say - Neil & Tim Finn
They love you so badly for sharing their sorrow, so pick up that guitar and go break a heart - Kris Kristofferson0 -
Byrnzie wrote:O.k. You want a solution?
Walk more! :cool:
People don't walk in the States. Every fucker drives. You even have to drive to the bar to get drunk before driving home again. Everything is so far apart. I suggest knocking down the Midwest and transporting all the buildings to the East and West coasts and condensing the towns and cities there, so that everything becomes nearer and within walking distance. Give the land in between back to the Indians.
Discuss.... :cool:
I sold my car when I moved back home from college. People who live in Chicago and New York walk or take cabs. maybe some other downtown areas are similar but not that I have seen.
you are very right however. LA, for example, everyone drives. Phoenix, Dallas-Fort Worth, SF, and all cities inbetween, drive. Chicago and New York are the exception because these cities thrived long before cars exsisted.0 -
Sonja_S wrote:Wasn't he also pissing in the wind when he started the campaign in English schools? Even if he doesn't manage to change something, it might be entertaining.
True.
Also, I wonder why Sumo wrestling has never taken off in America?
I think it should become compulsory for people over a certain weight. 0 -
Byrnzie wrote:O.k. You want a solution?
Walk more! :cool:
People don't walk in the States. Every fucker drives. You even have to drive to the bar to get drunk before driving home again. Everything is so far apart. I suggest knocking down the Midwest and transporting all the buildings to the East and West coasts and condensing the towns and cities there, so that everything becomes nearer and within walking distance. Give the land in between back to the Indians.
Discuss.... :cool:
exactly, i agree we should walk more, we should exercise more, not cut PE programs from the schools, try some preventative medicine for once...give vouchers, discount health insurance for health clubs, fitness classes etc... But the US has such a reactionary philosophy with everything this will never happen. Look at education, we have no plan, we just realize that other countries score higher in math and science; so we must now emphasize math and science...other countries score higher in english so now we must try to score higher in those areas. Look at medicine. You only get discounts or help with paying if you become sick. There is no fiscal insentive to stay healthy; which, sad as it is, is what most people need as motivation.make sure the fortune that you seek...is the fortune that you need0 -
jlew24asu wrote:I sold my car when I moved back home from college. People who live in Chicago and New York walk or take cabs. maybe some other downtown areas are similar but not that I have seen.
you are very right however. LA, for example, everyone drives. Phoenix, Dallas-Fort Worth, SF, and all cities inbetween, drive. Chicago and New York are the exception because these cities thrived long before cars exsisted.
Yeah, New York's a walkers place, and so is San Francisco. I walked from Van Ness up to Market street and Height Ashbury without even thinking about it, although some people were amazed at that. I think it's about a 1 hour walk or something. L.A's somewhere where everyone drives, and the same in Florida.0 -
Byrnzie wrote:True.
Also, I wonder why Sumo wrestling has never taken off in America? I think it should become compulsory for people over a certain weight.
Maybe you could pitch that idea to a US TV network. 'Sumo wrestling with the stars' might start a new trend.You can tell a man from what he has to say - Neil & Tim Finn
They love you so badly for sharing their sorrow, so pick up that guitar and go break a heart - Kris Kristofferson0 -
"A fat person in England isn't the same as a fat person in America."
This is so true, well I haven't been to England lately but replace England with Europe and it's very accurate.
People don't walk, seriously. When I was in NYC and we asked directions to a certain place people always said "Just take the E (or the F or whatever...)" and when we said, but we want to walk... most of the time people said "but that's like 6 blocks."
You should have seen some people's faces when we said were had been walking all day, or even when we said we walked three miles, people looked at us in disbelief.
Unhealthy food is one thing, but I think laziness is a huge problem as well.THANK YOU, LOSTDAWG!
naděje umírá poslední0 -
What the hell are Turkey Twizzlers?"I'll use the magic word - let's just shut the fuck up, please." EV, 04/13/080
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4320000/newsid_4326200/4326277.stmjeffbr wrote:What the hell are Turkey Twizzlers?
There you go!0 -
Sonja_S wrote:Maybe you could pitch that idea to a US TV network. 'Sumo wrestling with the stars' might start a new trend.
It could be a hit! I don't know any stars that would wanna get squashed by a 30 stone blob though. Except maybe Pavarotti, or Michael Moore. Although the Jackass crew would probably be up for it.Stick em in a cage, run some crazy Hillbilly music, and....ACTION!!0 -
Scratchin a Letter wrote:
Thanks! Wow, they look like entrails. LOL. I'm guessing they taste better than they look. Can't be any worse than chitlins, haggis or menudo I suppose."I'll use the magic word - let's just shut the fuck up, please." EV, 04/13/080
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