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Jamie Oliver pantsed LA School District on Food Revolution, some thoughts UPDATE

By April MacIntyre Apr 13, 2011, 17:32 GMT

Jamie Oliver - Ed Sullivan Theatre - New York City, NY, USA © Janet Mayer / PR Photos

Jamie Oliver all but pantsed the Los Angeles School District last night in his premiere ABC reality show.

The Food Revolution fired up a bunch of parents who were outraged at the food (helped by Oliver's stoking the flames) and wanted change in the menus.

Not so fast. The school board shut down Oliver and fobbed him off, enraging the Brit.

Oliver's ABC reality series, Food Revolution, travels across America educating people about Beaver anal gland extracts in cheap ice cream and "pink slime," the centrifuged "bits" of cow meat that are ammonia-treated and mixed in as ground beef filler.

Processed food is Public Enemy Number One, and the "obesity epidemic" is bemoaned by Oliver, who could lose about 30 pounds himself.

Oliver came to fame via his UK series, "The Naked Chef." He is a father of four children and is now on a Carrie Nation-like tour to wake people up from the Food Inc. Horrors that Michael Pollan has been writing about for years.

No doubt there are way too many fat people in the USA, and the health risks and repercussions are that there are more sick people on Diabetes meds and imprisoned by bodies that do not work right anymore.  We all pay the costs in higher health insurance premiums.

But at a certain point, people like MeMe Roth - a lifestyle pundit who FOX employs regularly - along with Oliver, tackle the important issue in a grating way.

What is wrong with an occasional (operative word) cheeseburger or real milkshake? That is not what the problem is, as years past (when we were a trimmer nation) people enjoyed these treats and still were smaller in size. 

It's something more insidious, I believe: Portion sizes, high fructose corn syrup in breads and snacks, lack of movement and drinking calories in huge glasses and cups.

Jamie Oliver really blew it for me with his war on chocolate milk. Chocolate milk is not making 400 pound kids. How about reinstating Gym class in cash-strapped schools? Kids do not "go out and play" anymore! It's hand-held sedentary playtime these days.

Oliver spoke to Parade.com:
 
Here's an excerpt: 
How the first season of Food Revolution measured up...
"The biggest take-away is that change is absolutely possible. It's not easy or fun, but the community of Huntington, West Virginia have made the Food Revolution their own and are transforming the food culture in their town."

His favorite dish to cook at home for his family...
"That's like asking me which kid is my favorite. I love to cook and  always have a variety of things, salads, roasts, pastas, fish--whatever  is in season and looks good at the market. I have training and access to  fresh food, so cooking for me is easy. I think it should be the right  of everyone to have the same knowledge and access."

Jamie admits to his guilty pleasure foods...
"I'm really not a health-minded chef. I am a chef and love all kinds of food. What I want to teach people is that you can eat anything you want, as long as it's once and while and part of a balanced story--and in reasonable portions. I love burgers, I love pizza.

*Jamie Oliver responds to the LA Unified School District 

Below please find a statement from Jamie Oliver regarding today’s LAUSD media event:

“Good news that the ‘Food Revolution’ has people talking about what Los Angeles schools are feeding our kids. Wouldn’t it be great if we could find out what the kids are actually eating; where the food comes from; what’s on the ingredients’ lists; and who is really doing the cooking. I am hopeful that LAUSD’s efforts to educate the LA media is a signal that they’re willing to work with concerned parents and local activists to make the system truly transparent. Our dialogue with LAUSD is ongoing and I’m optimistic that they will be able to implement real changes that have a long-lasting impact for LA kids.”